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The Scenter of the Univer se J ane Hendler has the ability to blend natural oils into allergen-free fra- grances that lift the spirit and clear the mind. Along with her husband, Rex Rombach, she runs Ajne in downtown Carmel. The beautiful shop in The Court of the Fountains beckons with fresh lavender bundles, grown on the couple's ranch in Carmel Valley. Inside are blends specific to mothers, people with digestive issues, people needing uplifting, and any other possible situation. The company also provides sig- nature blends diffused through custom equipment for hotels, businesses, spas, art galleries, wineries and even car dealerships. "We are now the 'scenter' of the universe," Rombach says. "We create a memory for the place, and the idea is it becomes brand specific." Sometimes the need for a scent is simply practical: the Dallas World Aquarium didn't want to leave its visitors doused in penguin odor, but at the same time, the fragrance had to be completely natural so as not to endanger delicate animals. "Everything we use is from plant sources, with the pollen removed," Rombach explains. A local finance planner picked a spa-like scent to relax clients. The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea wanted a fragrance that "smelled like Hawaiian air." Hendler uses ingredients that relate to her client. For a Las Vegas prop- erty, she used desert plants, like juniper and sage; for a Realtor's open house fragrance, Rombach says she might blend something that "smells like holidays with grandma." Above all else, Hendler, who was recently featured in Town and Country magazine, wants to make sure her blends "smell beautiful and have stay- ing power." The company's expansion has her helping clients from Russia to the Caribbean, but she still finds time to create custom blends for celebrities and local visitors of all ages. "We had a birthday party in the shop for 5 year olds," she says. "It went great." Ajne is located at Mission at 7th, Carmel. 831/624-2100 or www.ajne.com. —Brett Wilbur 62 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 Ajne Organic Systems creates therapeutic blends for individual and corporate clients like Carmel Valley Ranch, Portola Plaza, Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn and Four Seasons Resorts. Jane Hendler is a master essential oil therapist who runs the business with her husband, Rex Rombach. Photo: Kelli Uldall SHORTCUTS BUSINESS 044-70 Shortcuts_SU05 Carmel Magazine 4/21/14 7:28 AM Page 9