Hidden Gems: Meet Melanie Wiener of M I È L. Candles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Wiener.

Hi Melanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
M I È L. Candles was created in Los Angeles in my home. After spending some time in the fashion world influencing, I made the decision to close that chapter and pursue my creativity; to create a product and build a brand of my own. While shopping for candles during the holidays, I couldn’t quite find something I loved enough to gift to friends and family. Either the scent didn’t resonate with me or the cost of the candle was not affordable. That’s when M I È L. Candles was born. I wanted to create luxury candles at an accessible price. When I am not at home creating and testing new candles, I spend time with my husky puppy Mia or working on a full-time job in real estate development. I’ve always loved dipping my toes in different spaces that I enjoy and that’s truly how M I È L. Candles was born.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t think anything worth doing comes easy or is a smooth road, part of the learning process are the bumps you hit along the way. Those bumps teach us lessons and help direct us in the right direction. I’ve definitely hit many bumps learning a new craft from the ground up. There were struggles finding the right wicks to use, perfecting the different fragrances that appealed to me and were not mainstream fragrances, choosing the right vessels (jars) and getting the candles to cure properly.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about M I È L. Candles?
I started M I È L. Candles December 2019 while I was shopping for holiday gifts for friends and family. I was looking for new candles to gift to friends and family but I couldn’t quite find a candle that I loved at the right price point or the scent didn’t appeal to me. It is hard to justify spending $70+ on candles especially if you are the type of person that burns candles regularly. Then, you are consistently buying new candles. With all of those factors in mind, I decided that because I couldn’t find the right candle in the marketplace, I was going to make my own candle. That’s really how M I È L. Candles started. I started with one scent which is my original fragrance called Cassis. It’s very me but also very neutral and a scent that you don’t get tired of or overwhelmed by. The next few candles I have made are inspired by nature and travel, experiences and memories.

I am most proud of being able to create a sustainable candle that is luxury but at an accessible price point. I burn candles every night and sometimes during the day so I feel less guilt burning them when I know I am burning a candle that is costing me $24 (base price). I believe that being able to create sustainable luxury candles at an accessible price is what sets me apart from my peers. At M I È L. Candles, we are also capable of creating custom scents and custom labels for any special occasion. We have previously created a custom scent and label for a bridesmaid proposal. We’ve made custom candles for gifts and special occasions. The options are endless. Each candle is handcrafted in my Los Angeles home using a small batch approach with the utmost precision and care. The candle will make a beautiful addition to any home.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
This is a tough question but I think that what surprises many people is my dedication towards a project. In this particular case. My candles. I started it simply as a way to gift to friends and family and over time, I was being asked where the candles could be purchased. I have always been a go-getter. When I set my mind on something, I will pursue it and try to perfect it. I was inspired by a friend to take my candles to a broader audience other than my friends and family and I am truly happy that I did and that I can share my product with people who love candles just as much as I do.

Pricing:

• $21 Cassis Candle
• $21 Cashmere + Vanilla Candle
• $21 Ojai Candle
• $29 Santal Candle
• $29 Rocky Mountain Candle

Contact Info:

• Email: mielcandlestudio@gmail.com
• Website: www.mielcandles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mielcandles/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MIELCandleStudio/