He’s scaled luxury brands, landed partnerships with household names, and bet big on brick-and-mortar when his generation was going all-in on digital. Now, Elliot Aboud is preparing to launch a project that could shake up fashion retail — and he’s doing it all before most people have figured out their first career move.
Most people climb the career ladder rung by rung. Aboud built his own ladder, starting from the ground floor of his father’s business and scaling his way into two of today’s most competitive industries: luxury lifestyle retail and fashion tech.
“I dropped out of college to work alongside my dad, Benny,” Aboud recalls. “At the time, we were selling SEO services and doing all the gritty work that comes with starting small. We figured I could learn more by building and learning from Benny, than I could sitting in a classroom.”
From Digital Roots to Luxury Scent Leadership
In 2014, the Abouds pivoted from SEO and digital marketing services into a new venture that felt more in line with their personality and creative vision: Aroma360. The brand combines luxury scent collections with advanced diffuser technology to create memorable, immersive environments for homes, hotels, and businesses.
The move brought their digital marketing expertise into full force. Years spent mastering online growth translated seamlessly into building a lifestyle brand with a powerful e-commerce presence. It paid off; Aroma360’s online footprint now spans a loyal consumer base and high-profile B2B clients.
Today, Aroma360 and sister brand Hotel Collection are recognized leaders in scent marketing, partnering with luxury hotels, the NBA, Disney, and other major brands to craft signature scents. They have also embraced influencer marketing, working with celebrities and tastemakers to make scent a must-have element of modern luxury.
“The way people discover products has completely changed,” Aboud says. “It’s not just about marketing, it’s about trust. If someone they follow is excited about a brand, that’s more powerful than any ad.”
Betting Big on Brick-and-Mortar
With the brands thriving online, Elliot Aboud made a move few expected from a Gen Z entrepreneur: doubling down on physical retail. When he took over retail operations for Aroma360, the company had just nine stores. Today, that number has climbed to 33 locations across the USA, with another two in Dubai.
The expansion includes coveted locations like Hudson Yards in New York City and Coral Gables in Miami, placing the brand in high-traffic, high-prestige shopping destinations.
In an era when many companies are closing stores and moving more operations online, Aboud’s decision to push into prime retail spaces reflects both a contrarian streak and a deep belief in experiential luxury.
A New Kind of Fashion Delivery
While his work with Aroma360 continues to expand, Aboud has also been building a passion project designed to disrupt the fashion industry. Still under wraps until its official launch, the venture promises to bring top fashion brands into consumers’ homes at record speed.
Working with leading fashion houses and only the best logistics providers, the project aims to combine the instant gratification of on-demand delivery with the curated touch of luxury retail.
“I’ve always loved fashion, but I don’t love shopping in the traditional sense,” Aboud says with a laugh. “If I could have the right pieces brought to me, I would and used to pay high dollar for that. That’s part of the idea here. It’s about merging speed, selection, and personalization in a way the industry hasn’t seen affordably.”
The Road Ahead
From scaling e-commerce operations and forging celebrity partnerships to negotiating leases in top shopping centers and preparing to launch a game-changing fashion platform, Elliot Aboud is carving out a space for himself as one of retail’s most versatile young leaders.
“I’m not interested in doing what’s been done before,” he says. “If I’m building something, it’s because I believe it can set a new standard.”
Whether in the scent industry or the fashion world, Aboud’s mix of grit, strategic thinking, and instinct for what’s next could make him one of the most interesting figures shaping how we shop in the years to come.
