Calgary-based entrepreneur Lindsay is the owner and candle maker behind Mellow House, a small business dedicated to creating hand-poured, vegan, cruelty-free candles. Crafted with natural coconut soy wax, recycled wooden wicks, and Canadian-made fragrance oils free of parabens and phthalates, each candle is designed to bring comfort, calm, and beauty into people’s homes while remaining mindful of the planet.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Mellow House is a small business that creates hand-poured, vegan, cruelty-free candles. Each one is made with natural coconut soy wax derived from coconuts and soybeans, in addition to our crackling wooden wicks sourced from recycled trees. Our Canadian-made fragrance oils are free from parabens and phthalates, selected to reflect a variety of aromatic profiles from fruity and fresh to grounding and sentimental. To cut down on waste, our jars and bubble wrap are reusable and recyclable. Every candle is carefully designed to bring comfort, warmth, and a sense of calm into people’s homes while also being mindful of the planet.
What made you want to do this work?
Growing up, we have always had a passion for making handmade products and appreciated and enjoyed the creative process altogether. Colours and scents have a remarkable ability to influence our mood, energy, and overall well-being. Recognizing this aspect, we began experimenting with fragrances and products in order to evoke a variety of feelings, such as the familiar, holiday take on our Birchwood candle to the light and refreshing scent notes brought forward with our newest summer addition, Limoncello. Lighting a candle is more than enjoying a pleasant smell. It is a simple way to pause, reset, and bring a sense of calm and renewed energy into your day.I have always been drawn to creating cozy and grounding spaces in my own living home, and candles felt like the perfect way to share that with others.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
So many candles are made with synthetic ingredients and materials that have the potential to be harmful to ourselves and the environment. As a result, we researched and connected with suppliers who produce only pure coconut soy wax, known to burn cleaner and longer than other waxes available on the market. We found that some candle brands tend to prioritize quick production over quality, and we feel Mellow House is a reflection of our core values as an individual and business owner. Each candle is produced in small batches and is hand-poured, ensuring that the quality is preserved in every step. When considering our label, we wanted to include a modern, simplistic, yet approachable design that could effortlessly enhance any interior style. To us, it is about offering candles that burn safely and sustainably, while being versatile enough to compliment any room.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Our customers are people who value high-quality, handcrafted local goods. Many of our customers are from Calgary and surrounding areas, however, we hope as time goes on, we can continue to connect with even more people as our business begins to grow and expand. Many of these individuals attend the markets offered in the city, and we genuinely enjoy meeting a diverse group of people each time we share our product or recommendations.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We sell our candles directly through our website, in local goods stores and at markets around Calgary. By offering a variety of platforms, customers can purchase candles in person or online, allowing product accessibility for everyone. For added convenience, we offer free local delivery within Calgary through our website.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
You can find Mellow House at local artisan markets throughout Calgary and through our website. Our candles are available at “The Collective” in Okotoks, which started in October.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
The best question is: “What sets your brand apart from other comparable candles on the market?”
Our candles are made with natural ingredients that ensure cleaner and longer burn times. We offer both mini and full-sized candles that range in a variety of scents that are both classic and seasonal. Visually, our candles offer a modern design and can compliment any personal style. We can create custom labels for both candles and matches that can be used to compliment any special occasion upon request. In terms of our price point, we are mindful of the cost of making local products, and as a result, we would like to maintain pricing that is inclusive and accessible for all customers.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part about our job is seeing how something as simple as a candle can make a real difference in someone’s day or in the atmosphere of their home. It is incredibly rewarding to hear from customers that a scent brings them comfort, helps them unwind, or adds a cozy touch to a special moment. Knowing that my product can be a part of a milestone in someone’s life such as celebrating a birthday, anniversary or even the purchase of a new home, resonates with us as we have seen the joy and emotion my candles have brought to our own family and friends. Seeing both children and their parents light up with excitement as they enjoy scents such as, “Cereal,” a classic take on Fruit Loops, is meaningful and heartwarming to see.
The hardest part is the behind-the-scenes work that most people don’t see. Running a small business means balancing production, packaging, inventory, shipping, and marketing while also trying to stay creative and come up with new scents or designs. Finding consistency in terms of popularity and accessibility to markets can also be an obstacle as a new business owner. It can be challenging to manage all of these responsibilities and still ensure each candle meets the high standard of quality and care that we want for our customers.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
When working markets in particular, we often hear time and time again how our scents, “smell so good you could almost eat it,” particularly when holding our Apple Crumble or Peach Bellini. At times, people take many components of the scent literally, asking us to describe how exactly salt smells, for example. It’s more of the component of a concept of course, but we try our best to outline what we mean by describing our candles without the need for some to take a bite.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | Facebook | Website
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
One local business we really love is Good Bread. Their pastries are amazing. Our favourite is the vanilla cruffin, but the ham and gruyére cheese croissant is a close second. Both are a must-try!
