Mala the Brand
It’s been a joy learning about Nicole’s journey with Mala the Brand, and we’re excited to share it with you below. You can support her small business by checking it out here!
About Mala the Brand
Mala began as a brand rooted in intention, creativity, and the idea of slowing down through scent. When the current team acquired the brand in fall 2025, they felt deeply connected to its original vision. For them, candles have always been about more than fragrance—they hold memory, create atmosphere, and turn everyday moments into meaningful rituals. Their goal has been to honor what made Mala special while thoughtfully shaping its next chapter, focusing on nostalgic and comforting scents that invite people to pause, reconnect, and feel at home. Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do, from clean-burning waxes and phthalate- and paraben-free fragrance blends to fully recyclable, plastic-free packaging. What makes this work especially meaningful is seeing how people connect with the candles, watching them become part of celebrations, surprises, and personal moments. That connection is their “why,” and it continues to guide every detail they create.
Our conversation can be read below!
What inspired you to start your business? What’s your story?
Mala began as a brand rooted in intention, creativity, and the idea of slowing down through scent. When we acquired Mala in the fall of 2025, we were drawn to that original vision and the emotional connection people already had with the brand.
Candles have a unique ability to hold memory and create atmosphere, turning everyday moments into small rituals. What inspired us to take on Mala was the opportunity to build on that foundation while continuing to prioritize clean ingredients, thoughtful design, and products that feel personal and meaningful.
Since taking over the brand, our focus has been on honoring what made Mala special while thoughtfully shaping its next chapter. Today, Mala is about creating nostalgic, comforting scents that invite people to pause, reconnect, and feel at home, with intention woven into every detail.
What’s one of your favorite things you’ve made?
One of my favourite things we’ve ever made is our soon-to-be-released Candygram candle. It was inspired by the joy and nostalgia of handwritten notes and swapping Valentine’s cards growing up. It feels playful and sentimental at the same time. From the fragrance blend to the packaging, every detail was intentionally crafted to take you back to a childhood Valentine’s Day memory.
What makes our candles especially meaningful to me is how strongly people connect with them. Seeing them become part of celebrations, surprises, and personal moments reminds us of our why.
What are your thoughts on the importance of sustainability for small businesses?
Sustainability is incredibly important to us at Mala, especially as a small business where every decision has a direct impact. We believe that being thoughtful about ingredients, packaging, and production is just as important as the final product itself.
We prioritize clean-burning waxes, premium phthalate- and paraben-free essential and fragrance blends, and packaging made from recycled materials that is fully recyclable and biodegradable. There’s no plastic here. Our goal is to reduce waste without sacrificing design or experience. Sustainability isn’t about being perfect, it’s about making better choices consistently.
As we grow, we’re always looking for ways to improve. We see sustainability as an ongoing commitment and a responsibility to our customers and the environment alike.
You can visit her small business here.
