Meet Keyshawn Pettieway

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Keyshawn Pettieway. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Keyshawn , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience for me comes from my family, particularly my late father, who was the cornerstone of our household and community. Growing up, I watched him lead with strength and unwavering faith, even in the face of challenges. His passing pushed me to step into that role of leadership and to persevere through adversity, knowing that my actions not only honor his legacy but also pave the way for those who look up to me. This resilience fuels both my career in cybersecurity and my entrepreneurial journey with ONE Fragrance House. Every setback is an opportunity to pivot, adapt, and grow stronger.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Shawn, the CEO and Founder of ONE Fragrance House, a luxury fragrance brand rooted in intentionality, representation, and self-expression. At ONE, we don’t just create scents—we craft experiences that empower people to embrace their individuality and live with purpose. Each fragrance is meticulously designed to complement life’s defining moments, from romantic evenings to professional milestones, with the belief that scent is a powerful tool for self-expression and confidence.

What excites me most about ONE Fragrance House is the intersection of artistry, culture, and purpose. Our brand is about more than just luxury fragrances—it’s about creating a space for representation in an industry that has historically lacked diversity. As a Black-owned brand, we aim to celebrate culture and individuality while challenging norms in the fragrance world. Our mission is to redefine luxury by creating scents that are personal, empowering, and steeped in meaning.

This year, we’ve been focused on expanding our reach through exciting events and collaborations. ONE Fragrance recently participated in pop-up shops at major events like Invest Fest and the Black Boy Art Show in Chicago, allowing us to connect directly with customers and share the heart behind our brand. We’re also launching a special “Miami in December” campaign to celebrate our best-selling scent, Roi Amos, which embodies the vibrant and refreshing energy of Miami.

Looking ahead, we’re working on expanding our product line with a Winter collection featuring new, sophisticated scents, as well as exploring potential wholesale partnerships to bring ONE Fragrance to retail spaces across the globe. We’re also committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials like recycled glass and paper, and have plans to further our efforts in responsible sourcing and production.

At its core, ONE Fragrance House is about creating more than just a product—it’s about building a community, inspiring people to live boldly, and leaving a legacy of culture, creativity, and purpose. Whether it’s through a pop-up event, a new fragrance launch, or a partnership with like-minded brands, our goal is to make ONE a brand that not only elevates your scent but also your story.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, intentionality, and adaptability. Each of these traits has shaped how I navigate challenges, build relationships, and create something meaningful with ONE Fragrance House.

1. Resilience: Building Strength Through Challenges

Resilience is what keeps you moving forward when the path gets tough. Whether it was balancing a full-time career in cybersecurity while building ONE from the ground up or learning from mistakes during product launches, resilience has been my anchor. The ability to see setbacks as lessons and to keep going even when the outcome is uncertain is invaluable.

Advice: Embrace challenges as part of the process. Learn to pivot quickly and don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek mentorship. Resilience doesn’t mean doing it all alone—it’s about pushing through with the resources you have while continuing to grow.

2. Intentionality: Living and Creating With Purpose

Intentionality has guided every decision I’ve made with ONE Fragrance House. From designing scents that resonate with specific life moments to building a brand that reflects diversity and representation, every step has been purposeful. Intentionality helps you stay focused on your “why” and ensures that your work has meaning beyond just achieving success.

Advice: Define your mission early and use it as your compass. Ask yourself, Why am I doing this? Who am I serving? Whether it’s creating a product, advancing your career, or pursuing a passion, having a clear purpose will help you stay motivated and make decisions with confidence.

3. Adaptability: Staying Open to Change and Growth

The ability to adapt has been crucial in my journey. Whether transitioning industries—from engineering to cybersecurity—or navigating the constantly shifting landscape of entrepreneurship, being adaptable has allowed me to take risks, learn new skills, and find creative solutions to unexpected problems.

Advice: Stay curious and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Invest in learning new skills—whether through online courses, mentorship, or trial and error. The more adaptable you are, the better prepared you’ll be to handle the unexpected opportunities and challenges that come your way.

Final Thought: Take One Step at a Time

For those early in their journey, my biggest advice is to start small but stay consistent. You don’t need to have everything figured out to take the first step. Focus on building one skill at a time, nurturing one relationship at a time, and completing one goal at a time. Over time, those small steps will add up to something extraordinary

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely, collaboration is at the heart of what I do with ONE Fragrance House. I am always looking to partner with like-minded individuals and organizations who share our values of creativity, diversity, and intentional living. Whether you’re a retailer, a content creator, or part of a community-driven initiative, I’d love to explore ways we can work together to amplify each other’s impact.

We’re particularly interested in collaborations with:

1. Retail Partners: High-end boutiques, concept stores, or marketplaces looking to feature unique, luxury fragrances with a purpose-driven narrative.
2. Content Creators and Influencers: Passionate storytellers who align with our mission of representation, sophistication, and authenticity. We’re open to working on campaigns, events, and creative projects.
3. Event Planners and Organizers: Opportunities to activate at events, pop-ups, and marketplaces, especially those that celebrate culture, diversity, and innovation.
4. Nonprofit or Community Organizations: We’re eager to collaborate on initiatives that empower underrepresented communities and foster creativity.
5. Designers and Creatives: We’re looking to connect with visionary designers, photographers, and other creatives to help shape the visual and emotional story of ONE Fragrance House, whether through product design, branding, or content creation.

If you’re interested in collaborating, please reach out via email at [email protected] or connect with us through our Instagram @onefragrancehouse.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://OneFragranceHouse.co
• Instagram: OneFragranceHouse
• Youtube: OneFragranceHouse

Image Credits

@versatileimagepro
@aroundtheway_photography