“I offer training around essential oils”, Ingrid Ghesquière settles in Lot-et-Garonne after years of activity in Russia

For more than an hour, five Lot-et-Garonne entrepreneurs shared their experience of entrepreneurship at Agen Agora, on the occasion of “Elles osent en 47”. Among them, Ingrid Ghesquière, founder of Aroma Éducation, a scientific aromatherapy school.

What is your company's activity?

It is a scientific aromatherapy school which allows everyone to learn how to use essential oils. They help treat mental and physical health. I offer workshops for individuals and longer, in-depth training for wellness professionals. I also offer consulting for hospitals so that they can integrate aromatherapy into their practices.

What do essential oils do for humans?

The oil is obtained after the distillation of plants, which provides a concentrate of molecules. Plants, unlike humans, cannot move to defend themselves. They therefore develop other strategies. The secreted molecules also help protect humans. In addition, they are fragrant, they stimulate the limbic system in our brain and act on our nervous system.

You created your business in Russia. What is your background?

I grew up between Cantal and Landes. I have always been passionate about Russia and green health. I do not dissociate the psycho-emotional sphere from the body. For me, everything is linked. So I trained in naturopathy and psychology, and then created my aromatherapy school in Russia, in Moscow, fifteen years ago. Thanks to the Russian-speaking diaspora, my activity quickly expanded internationally.

But two years ago, the geopolitical situation made you return to France…

I returned to France after the start of the conflict with Ukraine, indeed. Not out of fear, but because my children saw all the French people leaving and their teachers not coming back. We came home for them. I have maintained links with the country, in particular thanks to videoconferences and I go there from time to time. In Lot-et-Garonne, I am starting from scratch to develop my business.

Why come and settle in the department?

Personal reasons led us to Sainte-Livrade. We wanted to return to New Aquitaine. The department's Chamber of Commerce welcomed us perfectly. We are well established, it is a dynamic place for project leaders, the climate is mild and we eat well. Currently, I am doing workshops to make myself known, notably in Agen, at Héméra, and I am looking for premises in Villeneuve-sur-Lot.

What future in France for aromatherapy?

We have more and more distillers in the department who make exceptional products. It would be relevant to collaborate with them to promote their oils during my workshops. It is an evolving market with growth of 9% worldwide. This is why we must regulate and encourage good behavior. People buy oils on the other side of the world when they could be extracted here. For example, Aleppo pine, which is a parasite, has tremendous pharmacological properties. You can cut it and reuse it for something else.