Founders

kathryn balcerski
& tami katz

Kathryn Balcerski and Tami Katz met working in the fragrance industry in New York by happy chance — Serendipitee is what they built from it.

Founders

kathryn balcerski
& tami katz

Kathryn Balcerski and Tami Katz met working in the fragrance industry in New York by happy chance — Serendipitee is what they built from it.

Kathryn Balcerski

Kathryn Balcerski

Co-founder & Principal

Kathryn Balcerski

Co-founder & Principal

“For me the journey of creating a fragrance requires complete immersion – into the brand, the market, the consumer. This belief has taken me around the world to engage with fragrance. I’ve smelled bar soaps in India, shampoos in Shanghai, harvested organic rose petals in Grasse, and collaborated with the world’s top perfumers and clients in NY, London and Paris. My passion is to live the creative process; it’s the only way to make the concept become a reality.”

“For me the journey of creating a fragrance requires complete immersion – into the brand, the market, the consumer. This belief has taken me around the world to engage with fragrance. I’ve smelled bar soaps in India, shampoos in Shanghai, harvested organic rose petals in Grasse, and collaborated with the world’s top perfumers and clients in NY, London and Paris. My passion is to live the creative process; it’s the only way to make the concept become a reality.”

A passion for fragrance, brands and global culture lie at the root of Kathryn Balcerski’s expertise. She received her chemistry degree at university, then earned her masters from the renowned Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Marketing and International Business. Kathryn’s first love was chemistry, spending many years working in the beauty care specialty ingredients sector, then discovering the allure of the perfume world where she has remained for twenty-five years.


After a stint with Haarmann and Reimer (now Symrise), Kathryn honed her fragrance development skills at world leader International Flavors and Fragrances. Her time based in their New York and London offices allowed her to work with perfumers globally to develop fine fragrances, hair care, skin care, home fragrances, personal cleansing, and deodorants. She has collaborated on brands such as Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Perry Ellis, Mary Kay, Bath & Body Works, Ponds, Axe Deo-Cologne, TRESemmé, TIGI, and Lux.

A passion for fragrance, brands and global culture lie at the root of Kathryn Balcerski’s expertise. She received her chemistry degree at university, then earned her masters from the renowned Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Marketing and International Business. Kathryn’s first love was chemistry, spending many years working in the beauty care specialty ingredients sector, then discovering the allure of the perfume world where she has remained for twenty-five years.


After a stint with Haarmann and Reimer (now Symrise), Kathryn honed her fragrance development skills at world leader International Flavors and Fragrances. Her time based in their New York and London offices allowed her to work with perfumers globally to develop fine fragrances, hair care, skin care, home fragrances, personal cleansing, and deodorants. She has collaborated on brands such as Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Perry Ellis, Mary Kay, Bath & Body Works, Ponds, Axe Deo-Cologne, TRESemmé, TIGI, and Lux.

Tami Katz

Co-founder & Principal

Tami Katz

Co-founder & Principal

“I see perfume-making not as a science of precision, but as an art and a form of alchemy. The mystery and olfactory delight in experiencing an exquisite new fragrance, there is nothing quite like it.”

“I see perfume-making not as a science of precision, but as an art and a form of alchemy. The mystery and olfactory delight in experiencing an exquisite new fragrance, there is nothing quite like it.”

Tami Katz’s entry into the world of fragrance began twenty-five years ago with the Executive Training Program at Bloomingdale’s. Cultivating a keen understanding of all aspects of perfume-making, Tami pursued her passion and spent the bulk of her career at IFF creating perfumes for Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Elizabeth Arden, Liz Claiborne, Axe, Dove, Degree and more. Ultimately, she was chosen to hone her craft with industry icon, Ann Gottlieb. Tami has skillfully collaborated with perfumers to create fine fragrance and cologne, home fragrances, deodorants, lotions, in addition to haircare.


Throughout her journey, Tami has worked with brand development teams, chemists, and fragrance suppliers as she ushered the creation process from start to finish. She loves collaborating with perfumers, providing olfactive guidance and inspiration to stimulate their creativity. She also loves to share her passion through education; she has mentored many Evaluators as well as provided fragrance training to virtually all of her clients.

Tami Katz’s entry into the world of fragrance began twenty-five years ago with the Executive Training Program at Bloomingdale’s. Cultivating a keen understanding of all aspects of perfume-making, Tami pursued her passion and spent the bulk of her career at IFF creating perfumes for Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Elizabeth Arden, Liz Claiborne, Axe, Dove, Degree and more. Ultimately, she was chosen to hone her craft with industry icon, Ann Gottlieb. Tami has skillfully collaborated with perfumers to create fine fragrance and cologne, home fragrances, deodorants, lotions, in addition to haircare.


Throughout her journey, Tami has worked with brand development teams, chemists, and fragrance suppliers as she ushered the creation process from start to finish. She loves collaborating with perfumers, providing olfactive guidance and inspiration to stimulate their creativity. She also loves to share her passion through education; she has mentored many Evaluators as well as provided fragrance training to virtually all of her clients.

Tami Katz

STAY IN TOUCH

follow the noses.

follow the noses.

follow the noses.

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Studio notes, course dates, and things we’re smelling.

Lake Geneva
Group in Paris
Blotter strips and champagne
Lavender field
Lake Geneva
Group in Paris
Blotter strips and champagne
Lavender field

@serendipitee_nyc

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