Brooke Lean never planned to build an international fragrance brand. Her journey began in photography, before scent emerged as the creative medium that brought everything together.
In the opening episode of season six of the PowerUp Podcast, Brooke shares the unfiltered story behind the evolution of The Virtue. She reflects on the instincts she trusted, the pivots she made, and the moments where she chose creativity over certainty. Starting without a roadmap, Brooke followed an idea that kept pulling her forward and learned how to navigate a tightly guarded global industry with no clear template.
While creativity sits at the heart of her work, this kōrero also reveals Brooke’s sharp business instincts. Her ability to recognise opportunity, act decisively, and commit fully has taken The Virtue from a local idea to an internationally stocked brand.
A grounded, generous conversation for anyone building something from the gut.