Jan Salko – Queen of the Rose
by: Pamela Parsons*
Jan Salko is an incredible example for all women. Confident, kind,
compassionate, this very feminine lady has managed to become a successful,
internationally respected business woman in a very male dominated industry
maintaining, at all times, the highest of ethical standards and honesty.
In 1993, armed with 1˝ years of research, Jan traveled alone to Bulgaria.
She was determined – not only to find the best rose oil available in the
world, but to make it accessible to all. Why Rose? Because she believed that
- up until that time - the legendary rose oil of history with its reputedly
powerful spiritual and healing properties was not available – at least in
her extensive experience. Did it indeed exist? According to the literature
she had read, the Rose healed at a level surpassed by no other - it healed
the soul. The essential oil of universal, unconditional love, it represented
the deepest level of spirituality. Rose, symbol of all religions
(particularly those that represent the divine mother) is the great
harmonizer and balancer integrating body and soul.
Jan was determined to find this elusive oil it if it did, indeed, exist. And
if it didn’t? Well, she would find someone to produce it.
Why Bulgaria? Well, Bulgaria was reputed to have the finest rose oil in the
world, unique because of its geographical idiosyncrasies, perfectly suited
for raising rosa damascena the flower which produced the finest rose
fragrance.
For an American woman, single and traveling alone to Bulgaria to think that
she could ever be taken seriously in this male dominated, highly secretive
and political industry, was a preposterous concept. But Jan is a completely
unique human being. Once she sets her mind on a goal, she achieves it with
grace, dignity, compassion and absolute clarity. NOTHING stands in her way
and yet all is accomplished with the lightest touch. Serendipity – otherwise
known as “the rose angels” led her to the 17 year old son of the only
independent distiller in Bulgaria and a close friendship with the head
chemist of the Rose industry.
With her customary impeccable timing, she managed to travel to Bulgaria when
they were experiencing their finest harvest in years. The roses were raised
and picked under nearly perfect conditions. This fortuitous beginning was
the foundation for a career that flourishes to this day. Fifteen years later,
Jan is known the world over as the broker of Rose oil, water and absolute.
In addition, she carries other fine Bulgarian essential oils and waters and
a select offering of oils and waters from other countries. She is the only
authorized distributor of the white rose oil Rosa alba and its water. She is
known worldwide for her incredible generosity, her warmth and her
compassion, her fairness in business and her impeccable service.
But even more important than all of this, she has become one of Bulgaria’s
finest emissaries. Her deep love and understanding of the Bulgarian people
has led to her personal involvement in supporting their orphanages, animal
shelters, the funding of scientific investigation and most of all sharing
this love with the other people of the world. Through, Jan, people the world
over have come to know of the warmth, kindness and generosity of spirit of
the Bulgarian people, helping us to know and appreciate a country that was
so long hidden behind the iron curtain of separation, suspicion and
distrust. They have her to thank for this wonderful introduction to the
spirit of a country capable of producing such gifts of nature that are
healing the wounds of people all over the world.
(*This Biography was written for the “Profiles of Light” Bio requested by
an invitation to participate in The 2001 Summit on Spirituality &
Sustainability Vancouver B.C., Canada, September 15th 22nd, 2001. The Profiles are a collection of biographies of individuals who are
individually and collectively committed in their fields, and open to sharing
their ideas, innovations and to be role models for others, to consciously
co-create a powerful new vision of what we could be in a sustainable and
compassionate world.)
The goal of The 2001 Summit (http://www.2001summit.org) is to help bring
visibility to positive accomplishments, by showcasing successful enterprises
and practices that have been built on ethical principles of spirituality and
global sustainability.
We have invited innovative "social pioneers" from eight broad sectors of
society: Education & Youth, Governance & Law, Business, Economy &
Philanthropy, Culture/Arts & Media, Science & Technology, Spirituality &
Religion, Environment & Habitat, and Health & Well Being. Alaria K. Baes)
