Success might start with self-belief, but it rarely grows by itself. The right environment and the right people turn a small idea into something much bigger.
For Gini, that journey began at Vita Student.
Once a resident at Vita Student Exeter and now the founder of AIRY Fragrances, her story is shaped by creativity, community, and the feeling of finding home in a new place. We caught up with Gini to hear how her time at Vita Student helped lay the foundations for her business, and the role those early experiences still play today.
What were your first moments like in Vita Student?
I still vividly remember the first time I walked into my room at Vita Student. It was my very first day in a new place where I knew no one. Everything felt fresh but also strange and incredibly lonely. However, the atmosphere at Vita changed that instantly.
I felt at ease knowing there were other students right next to me. I especially remember a funny interaction with the receptionist on that first day. I went down to ask if I could borrow a ‘vacuum machine’” and he very kindly corrected me that in England we call it a “’hoover.’ We both laughed, and he asked how I was doing. It was likely the longest conversation I had on my first day, and it was the first place that allowed me to reset.
That same week, I bought my very first reed diffuser from a department store nearby. I can still recall that specific scent today. That experience was the seed for AIRY Fragrances. I wanted to create that same psychological anchor that helps people feel at home the moment they cross the threshold, no matter where they are in the world.
How did living at Vita Student help you realise and achieve your ambitions?
Being in a prime location such as Exeter was really motivating, but the biggest driver was having a high-quality, private sanctuary to think. I actually lived in a university dorm initially but I moved to Vita because I needed an environment that felt more sophisticated and supportive.
I spent a lot of time in the lounges, which had an expansive feel that allowed my ideas to grow. Even though I can’t remember my old room number, I’ll never forget the sensory experience of those spaces.
It made me realise that I wanted AIRY Fragrances to bridge the gap between East and West. On days when the grey Exeter rain felt heavy, I craved the calming blends of oriental tea, delicate flowers, and grounding woods from home. For those of us living overseas, these light Japanese and East Asian scents provide a sense of botanical calm that’s hard to find in the UK. I want our customers to be able to find those sophisticated scents even after they graduate as a way to trigger their best memories.
Did the friendships you make at Vita Student play a big part in your success?
I lived at Vita for about six months before the COVID-19 lockdowns began. It was a challenging time to be a student living overseas, but the friends I made there helped me through those days of isolation. We would spend hours in the lounge discussing our future careers and sharing our ambitions.
Having that support system allowed me to stay focused and find the inspiration to eventually launch AIRY Fragrances.
Vita is the easiest place to network because you meet everyone from freshers to seniors who can offer vital career advice. Those friendships provided the emotional stability I needed to turn my creative ideas into a reality.
What advice would you give to current Vita Student residents who aspire to run their own business?
Building a business is often a lonely process, and you will face rejection. My advice is to not make making money your only goal. Focus on building something of value instead.
Your community might not totally understand your drive at first, but you must not be discouraged. Use every piece of feedback as fuel. Be brave, share your ideas, and reach out to people to show them what you are building. You have to accept that success has many stages, and so does failure. Don’t let failure turn you down; take it as a necessary step to help you grow.
Entrepreneurship is about creating your own atmosphere of success. I still use my own blends today as a ritual to signal to my brain that it is time to focus.
What does the Vita Student community mean to you?
To me, the Vita community means support when you are at your most vulnerable.
Starting a business is a tough process, much like moving overseas for the first time. At university, it can be hard to meet people when you are in a lecture hall with over 100 students, but Vita brings people together. I remember a time when my laptop broke right before a deadline, and a senior student in the building fixed it for me so I could submit my essay (though I definitely learned to always auto-save and write on the cloud after that!)
That spirit of neighbours helping neighbours is vital. Whether it is a senior giving you career tips or a friend helping with a technical problem, the community provides the confidence you need to take risks.
When you feel settled in your environment, you are much more motivated to pursue your career. That feeling of being “at home” and at ease is exactly what we strive to bottle at AIRY Fragrances.
From first arrivals to future founders, Vita Student is more than just a place to live. It’s a place where ideas take shape, connections are built, and confidence grows. Gini’s journey is just one example of what can happen when you combine ambition with the right environment.
Want to embrace the enchanting aromas of Japan in your very own studio? Support Gini and shop AIRY Fragrances today.
