Sandra Topper is a Canadian Aromatherapist and a botanical perfume artist who has worked with botanical essences since 1993. She also has professional training in reflexology, herbology and holistic nutrition.
Sandra's interest in aromatics actually began during her childhood days in England when she mischievously hid jars of concoctions under her bed which were filled with blooms from her mother’s garden.
In the mid 90's Sandra began teaching aromatherapy courses and was a guest instructor at several colleges in Ontario, teaching essential oil safety to massage and aesthetic students. Apart from having extensive knowledge about the chemical complexities of aromatic essences she also possesses a super sense of smell.
Sandra indicates that her true passion lies with the art of blending aromatics and prefers to be known as an aromachologist, botanical perfume artist or aroma mixologist, depending upon the day.
In 1993 Sandra founded three successful enterprises: a natural health retail operation which included a holistic treatment centre and an aromatherapy supply distributorship. Over the years her businesses received accolades through several publications in industry magazines, newspapers, and interviews on CBC radio and television talk shows.
The Royal Bank of Canada featured her in several of their publications and she was coined as one of their Champion Women Entrepreneurs. In 2001 she also received an award from the Retail Council of Canada for being a socially responsible retailer.
After ten years in retail with two locations, Sandra decided to focus on her wholesale supply business known as Natural Sense Aromatherapy, which became one of Canada’s most esteemed distributors of essential oils and spa products supplying hundreds of private practice clients, spas and retail stores across Canada, the United States and beyond.
In 2006 Sandra's first grand-child was born with numerous health issues which required a multitude of medical interventions and surgeries at The Hospital for Sick Children. At the same time, Sandra was also caring for her medically and mentally fragile mother and as a result, she was compelled to sell her distribution company in 2008 in order to focus on her family.
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When Sandra sold her business in 2008, she was bound to a 5-year Canada wide-non competition and non-disclosure sale agreement which prohibited her from engaging in future start-ups, teaching and formulating products related to the essential oil industry.
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Sandra has always had a keen interest in personality development, intrinsic motivation and the coping mechanisms that children and youth develop during times of stress and trauma. This interest stems from her own childhood experiences and so during her entrepreneurial sabbatical she returned to school to study psychology while continuing to expand her olfactory repertoire
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Sandra also took it upon herself to learn everything possible about Loeys-Dietz syndrome, which her grand-daughter had been diagnosed with. Sandra then went on co-found the Canadian Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation and took a director's seat with the Genetic Aortic Disorders Association of Canada.​
In 2015 Sandra opened an Aroma Apothecary in Cobourg Ontario known as Bespoke Aromatics. With the help of her daughters and grand-daughter it became a destination boutique specializing in an extensive collection of essential oils and related aromatherapy products. This little boutique was a project that she hoped would keep me busy beyond the typical retirement age, however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic she closed her bricks and mortar store and moved my business to an online business model.
Sandra continues to cultivate her passion by creating unique aromatic potions which will be featured on this site periodically.
If you have had a custom bespoke blend created in the past Sandra will gladly advise you if that formula can be re-produced.
Sandra remains available as an Educator, Guest Speaker and/or if your business requires assistance in Product Development and Botanical Scent Formulation.