In a world obsessed with moving faster, Michelle Garcia-Arce has found a different kind of luxury: having the time to pause, take in the details and simply enjoy what is in front of you.

Being nearly two decades in the hospitality industry, she sees luxury not just as something expensive, but as something that creates a memorable experience. This eventually led her to establish Amenity Studio in 2022, bringing hotel-inspired amenities and fragrances to consumers in the Philippines.

Garcia-Arce’s latest collaboration with Conrad Manila puts that philosophy into practice. At C Lounge, guests can experience an afternoon tea concept that pairs the scents of the Hermès Hotelier Collection with food and tea.

The concept was developed with the hotel’s culinary team through extensive tastings, matching scents such as citrus, rhubarb and woody notes with specific dishes and beverages.

“It’s the art of slowing down for us to enjoy every moment,” Garcia-Arce shared.

Instead of experiencing fragrance on its own, guests are invited to engage with it alongside food, conversation, and an unhurried afternoon.

Amenity Studio carries the same sensibility. As the official Philippine distributor of the Hermès Hotelier Collection, the company offers hotel bath essentials including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, foam bath, lotion, pleated soap, and selected fragrances.

Garcia-Arce recognizes that premium products can sometimes feel inaccessible, particularly when it comes to bringing them into hotels. The cost of high-end amenities can be a challenge, so she has focused on giving customers something beyond the product itself.

“I want to bridge the gap of the premium brands to the discerning clients,” she said.

That means creating experiences where people can understand and appreciate what makes these products special. The Conrad collaboration, for instance, transforms an afternoon tea into a sensory experience.

“This is a ritual that you can just savor the day, savor an afternoon with good food and good scents,” she explained.

Garcia-Arce’s entrepreneurial journey extends beyond hospitality. She is also part of the family behind Arce Dairy, although her husband currently oversees much of the business.

The company continues to grow its presence in various events, bringing its ice cream to weddings, birthdays, parties, and corporate gatherings. Its flavors also celebrate Filipino ingredients, with ube among its standout offerings.

Arce Dairy has also reached international markets, including Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and parts of the United States.

For Garcia-Arce, there is still room to experiment. She hopes to develop a guava sorbet, while her interest in local ingredients has also sparked an idea for a future fragrance inspired by produce from their own farms. As someone who loves sampaguita and ilang-ilang, she sees potential in turning distinctly Filipino scents into something people can experience in a new way.

Away from business, Garcia-Arce has also embraced opportunities that allowed her to step outside familiar roles. Around a decade ago, she joined the Mrs. Globe pageant, an experience that challenged her to pursue something for herself while encouraging other women to do the same.

Her message is straightforward: motherhood should not mean putting personal ambitions aside.

“As women, we have the right and we have the capability, we have the power to be free, to do whatever we want,” she said.

She encourages women to stop letting perceived imperfections become limitations, even when it comes to something as personal as appearance.

“If you have stretch marks, go ahead! I’ll be rooting for you!” she added.

For women pursuing their own goals, Garcia-Arce’s advice begins with faith.

“Always put God first in everything that you do,” she said.

She pairs that belief with two practical lessons: work hard and be financially wise. Earning money is important but knowing how to save and manage it can determine whether that income becomes lasting security.

In the end, true luxury may be the freedom to slow down, savor what is in front of you, and recognize that the most meaningful experiences are often the ones that cannot be rushed.