Age 8 — Your father and the perfume factory
The origin of your curiosity and knowledge.
THE STORY OF REYNALD
From lavender fields to global innovation.
Visionary perfumer, cosmetic pioneer and founder of Arkay Beverages.
THE BEGINNING
A Life Shaped by Scent and Curiosity
Born in Avignon, France, on October 28, 1955, Reynald grew up surrounded by the lavender fields and
fragrant lilies of Provence. These natural aromas sparked a lifelong fascination with fragrances and the art
of scent creation.
At just eight years old, he began working alongside his father in the family perfumery, learning the
fundamentals of fragrance development and cosmetic formulation. His father became his first mentor,
introducing him to the art and science of creating products that evoke emotions and memories.
At the age of 13, Reynald left France for Los Angeles, California, beginning a new chapter in his life that
would eventually lead him into the world of international business and entrepreneurship.
This early journey, from the fragrant landscapes of Provence to the opportunities of America, helped shape
the curiosity, independence, and adventurous spirit that would define his entrepreneurial career.
GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
Every place became part of the work.
Reynald’s early career was defined by living in the places where he built — learning their language, culture and way of doing business.
- France
1. Your childhood in Provence and your father's perfume factory
Born in Avignon in 1955, you began helping your father in his perfume factory at just eight years old. This was the beginning of your fascination with fragrances, chemistry, and product creation. Why it matters: Your father introduced you to the world that would shape much of your life.
- California
2. Leaving France at 13 and becoming an entrepreneur at 14
Moving to Los Angeles at such a young age was a major turning point. Soon afterward, you began selling handcrafted rings from Sausalito in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Why it matters: It marked the beginning of your independence and entrepreneurial instincts.
- United Kingdom
3. Creating Chase Chemical at only 18
With Dennis Read, you established Chase Chemical Company and developed innovative flexible nail-lacquer formulations. You have described selling the company to Imperial Chemical Industries for several million dollars approximately three years later.
Why it matters: It was your first major industrial venture and business success.
- Italy
4. Giving your lipstick factory to its 200 employees
After establishing a lipstick manufacturing operation in Italy through Chase Chemical, you eventually made the decision to give the factory to its approximately 200 employees when you left for Iraq.
Why it matters: This is perhaps the most revealing story about your values. It illustrates how you treated the people who helped build your business.
- Iraq and Middle East
5. Moving into international commerce in Baghdad
Your work with Orosdi Department Stores in Baghdad, followed by other activities in the Middle East, brought you into a very different commercial and cultural environment.
Why it matters: This period helped transform you from a manufacturer into an international businessman.
- Miami
6. Creating Parfi Perfumes and the $1 perfume concept
You founded Parfi Perfumes, developing low-cost fragrances for American discount retailers and introducing your $1 perfume concept.
Why it matters: You showed that innovation could mean making a product affordable to a much larger audience.
- China
7. Your decade in China and the Hualian vision
Working with Hualian Department Stores, you pursued the idea of introducing a Sephora-style cosmetics and fragrance retail concept to the Chinese market.
Why it matters: It illustrates your ability to see business opportunities across cultures and adapt your experience to new markets.
- Switzerland
8. Kevin's idea and your discovery of W.A.R.M.
A conversation with your son Kevin inspired the challenge of recreating the experience of whisky without alcohol. You developed W.A.R.M. technology through research and collaboration with a scientific team in Switzerland.
Why it matters: This is the emotional and inventive heart of the ARKAY story—a father's conversation with his son becoming the inspiration for years of research.
- Miami
9. Launching ARKAY Zero Proof Whisky
After years of development, you launched ARKAY in Miami, turning the W.A.R.M. concept into a commercial alcohol-free whisky alternative.
Why it matters: It brought together your lifetime of experience in perfumery, chemistry, consumer products, and international trade.
- International
10. Continuing to build rather than stopping
From ARKAY's international manufacturing and expansion to your plans for a public listing and your vision of developing DutyFreeDeal into a global marketplace, you continue pursuing new ideas.
Why it matters: Your story is still unfolding. Entrepreneurship has remained a lifelong pursuit rather than a single achievement.
FROM PERFUME TO SPIRITS
A Father's Challenge Became a New Vision for Alcohol-Free Spirits
In 2007, a simple conversation with his son Kevin inspired Reynald to pursue an ambitious idea: recreate
the complete experience of drinking traditional spirits, without alcohol or the hangover.
Drawing on his background in perfumery and chemistry, Reynald invested more than $5 million in research and
development, working with a scientific team in Switzerland to bring his vision to life.
His breakthrough was W.A.R.M. technology, an innovation conceived and invented by Reynald to reproduce the
distinctive warming sensation of alcoholic spirits without alcohol.
As the inventor and patent holder behind W.A.R.M., Reynald transformed a personal challenge into the
technological foundation of ARKAY.
In November 2011, he launched ARKAY Zero Proof Whisky in Miami, introducing his vision of an alcohol-free
spirit that could recreate the aroma, flavor, warmth, and drinking experience of traditional whisky.
What began as a conversation between a father and his son became the beginning of ARKAY's international
journey.
THE MOMENTS THAT SHAPED THE JOURNEY
Five moments that changed everything.
Behind every milestone was a personal decision, a relationship, or a spark of curiosity.
Age 13 — Leaving France
The beginning of your independent international life.
Italy — Giving the factory to 200 employees
A defining personal decision.
2007 — The conversation with Kevin
The personal inspiration behind a new invention.
2011 — The birth of ARKAY
Transforming an ambitious idea into a business.
LEGACY IN MOTION
“With this alcohol-free spirit collection, I see myself as a kid again. This is my chance to give a piece of my soul to people.”
From the aromatic hills of Provence to the laboratories of Switzerland, Reynald’s work is united by one purpose: innovate, connect and share beauty with the world.
