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Small-town Alma's Hidden Gem with a Great Aroma

Highway 183 is Central Nebraska is a well-traveled straight shot north and south between the two main Interstate highways, I-70 and I-80. It's sometimes called a "ladder" between the two. As you travel 183, you'll see expansive skies, farmsteads, rolling cornfields and pastures punctuated with herds of cows knotted together near ponds or under the shelter of trees. About halfway between, 183 cuts right through the lakeside community of Alma, Nebraska.

No one would be surprised to find a grain elevator or an implement dealer in Alma. But just a short distance off the beaten path, tucked away on the north end of Lincoln Street you'll find Murcielago, a perfume company. Now that is a surprise! A perfume filler, as they are called, is as scarce in the Midwest as the Lamborghini model that inspired the business name! That uniqueness is part of the mystique that makes Murcielago stand out.

Michelle Caspersen, an Alma native, is now the sole owner and operator of Mucielago. It was originally a partnership with her entrepreneurial nephew Michael who is also from Alma. Michael was a marketing major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln where he developed a fascination with the fragrance industry. He became completely smitten when he shadowed the process at Estee Lauder. About 13 years ago, Michelle and Michael joined forces to start their own company.

Michelle explained the secret to a high quality perfume like hers is the oils used. The components must be superb to create complex fragrances that linger long on the skin. The blending is done in laboratories specifically created for the purpose and the ingredients are skillfully combined by specially trained chemists. Murcielago's chemist words in Manhattan. New York. The Big Apple. A long way from Alma!

Michelle has worked with celebrities in the rodeo and country music industries to develop their signature fragrances, a huge trend in the industry. Michelle is a veteran of trade shows and has exhibited all across the country. She often zig zags back and forth from Alma to Manhattan, a city she loves. Still, she's always glad to be back home in Nebraska. She believes she has the most wonderful job in the world, allowing her to live and work in the best of both worlds.

Michelle had grown weary of some parts of the business and made a decision to get closer to her Nebraska roots in every way possible. Happily, her plan included joining GROW Nebraska earlier this year. Her gorgeous bottles and packaging immediately attracted customers and her colognes are among GROW's top sellers online. Men's fragrances include Nashville, Nashville Blue, and Nashville DB. For the ladies, she offers Donna Jean and Starlet.

You can find Michelle's fabulous fragrances in both of GROW Nebraska's stores, at the Hilltop Mall in Kearney or the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island! And if that's not handy, you can jump online anytime 24/7/365 and order some today at www.buynebraska.com! Don't forget to tell Santa, "Hey! I want Murcielago fragrances for Christmas!"

About the Author: Betty Streff is the Coordinator of GROW Nebraska store in Kearney. You can read more about Betty here.

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