Mala the Brand makes hand-poured, plant-based, coconut soy candles with fun, nostalgic, and toxin-free fragrances. The Vancouver-based company was originally founded by Melody Lim in 2019. Now, it is in the hands of the Coulter family. Nicole, Parker, and their daughter Blaire carry on the brand’s original mission: creating meaningful, memory-evoking scents — while keeping things small-batch, sustainable, and personal. We talked with Co-Owner Nicole to learn more.
What is your business called and what does it do?
We are Mala the Brand. We make hand-poured candles inspired by nostalgia, everyday rituals, and comforting scents. Our goal is to create candles that feel personal with scents that remind people of moments like their favourite cereal growing up, summer mornings at the lake, or cozy evenings curled up by the fire.
What made you want to do this work?
I’ve always loved building brands and creating products that people connect with emotionally. Mala already had a strong following because of its playful scents and beautiful design, and when the opportunity came to help grow the brand further, it felt like a perfect fit. Candles are such a simple product, but scent has an incredible ability to bring back memories and create atmosphere in a home.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
We wanted to make candles that feel special and thoughtfully designed, but still accessible. A lot of the inspiration behind Mala comes from creating scents that are unique and memorable rather than generic. We also focus heavily on sustainability by using coconut soy wax, reusable vessels, and thoughtful packaging so customers can enjoy candles without the waste that often comes with them.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Our customers tend to be people who care about the atmosphere of their home and enjoy small rituals that make everyday life feel a little more special. The common thread is that they love cozy spaces, beautiful design, and scents that spark nostalgia.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We sell our candles through our website as well as through retail partners across Canada and the U.S. We develop all of our scents and products in-house, and each candle is hand-poured using soy wax and thoughtfully designed vessels and packaging. From there, we ship directly to customers and retail partners.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
While Mala started in Vancouver, we’re proud to say it can now be found in retailers across North America. In Vancouver specifically, you can find Mala candles in Whole Foods as well as a number of independent boutiques.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
A great question is: “What ingredients and materials are used in your candles?”
Our answer would be that we focus heavily on clean, thoughtful materials. Our candles are made with coconut soy wax and phthalate-free fragrance oils, which helps create a cleaner burn and reduces unnecessary chemicals in the home. Because candles are something people burn in their homes, the ingredients can have a huge impact on air quality and health.
We also prioritize sustainability by using reusable vessels and keeping our packaging as minimal and recyclable as possible. As part of our environmental commitment, we plant a tree for every candle sold. For us, it’s about creating products that smell beautiful while also being safe and responsible for people and the planet.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part is seeing how people connect with the scents we create. It’s always amazing when someone tells us a candle reminds them of a memory or moment from their life. The hardest part is that scent is incredibly subjective, so you have to balance creativity with making sure a fragrance will resonate with a wide audience.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
Our running joke is that we spend an unreasonable amount of time arguing about how something should smell. Scent development meetings can get surprisingly passionate 😉
Where can we follow you?
You can find us at malathebrand.com and follow along on Instagram and TikTok.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
One Vancouver business my husband and I love is East Van Roasters. They make great coffee and incredible chocolate, which I can personally vouch for as someone with a serious sweet tooth. I also really admire their mission of providing job training and employment opportunities for women facing barriers to work in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
