Member Spotlight: Jeff Miller & Todd Thurman
Meet Jeff Miller and Todd Thurman, the visionary co-founders of Free Yourself, a fragrance-first wellness house based in Bennington, Vermont. Combining clean, unisex niche perfumery with positive psychology-inspired rituals, they create scents that not only smell exceptional but also invite intention, mindfulness, and emotional connection. Their expertise in product development and R&D drives each fragrance to be both performance-forward and experience-led, transforming everyday moments into micro-rituals that encourage users to pause, breathe, and step into their day with purpose.
Career milestone: After the recent launch of their Mindful Collection, Free Yourself expanded its elemental universe with two new Eau de Parfums debuting at Paris Perfume Week: AETHER, created by perfumer Ralf Schwieger, and NUMINOUS, developed with Mathilde Bijaoui. These fragrances mark their fifth and sixth elements and are designed to explore the invisible forces that shape how we feel. Both compositions are crafted at 25% concentration and labeled Eau de Parfum, reflecting the brand’s signature performance-forward approach while encouraging intentional daily rituals.
Key Advice: The best career advice Miller and Thurman have received is to make space for the experience, not just the outcome. This guidance reflects their philosophy in creating fragrances that prioritize both craft and emotional resonance, emphasizing the journey of discovery as much as the final product itself.
Mentors: Miller shares that he feels incredibly fortunate to have had Sandra Seacat as a mentor. A legendary acting teacher and dreamwork coach, she was also a gifted actress, a deeply fascinating individual, and a lifelong friend. Meeting her at 24 marked a pivotal turning point in his life, sparking a lasting practice of curiosity rooted in looking again, embracing new perspectives, and remaining open to deeper truths. Her influence extended far beyond his creative work, shaping him as an actor, father, husband, creator, and brand founder. She also became a cherished presence in his family’s life, and her perspective continues to inform how he lives, creates, and leads today.
Five-Year Career Goal: Miller and Thurman’s five-year goal is to grow Free Yourself into an enduring fragrance house recognized not only for its refined perfumery but also for creating meaningful experiences that encourage presence, connection, and well-being. They aim to demonstrate that fragrance can extend beyond adornment, serving as a ritual, a creative expression, and a tool for engagement that invites people to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and others. Rooted in positive psychology and grounded in craftsmanship, they envision every interaction with the brand as both personal and participatory, reinforcing the belief that every individual’s story holds value and that scent can help create space for both personal and shared growth.
Best Networking Convo Starter: Their favorite way to break the ice in networking situations is by asking, “What’s one daily ritual you actually keep when life gets chaotic — and why does it stick?” This question reflects their focus on mindfulness and ritual in both their work and personal lives, inviting meaningful conversations that connect people through shared habits and experiences.
