What's it like to run a small business in Shetland
Small batch, sea breeze and a little bit of grit
Running a handmade business always has its own rhythm but running one in Shetland, at the very edge of the UK is a whole other story.
Welcome to life behind the scenes at MELLA, where the soaps are natural, the candles are clean-burning and the weather forecast is always part of the production plan.
Small Batch, Big Heart
Every bar of soap and every candle is made by hand. Not in a factory, but in a quiet, practical little workspace up here in the far north also known as Soapy HQ.
It’s just me (Mel!) mixing, pouring, cutting, wrapping, usually with some good tunes on the radio, a cup of tea on the go and a Shetland breeze sneaking through the door! Some batches are made alongside the social enterprise I partner with, which makes it even more meaningful.
Nothing is rushed. Everything is thoughtful.
Island logistics: a real-life juggling act
Living and working in Shetland means always thinking ahead. Sometimes the post goes out later than planned. Sometimes supplies take a little longer to arrive. But we make it work because being here, on this wild, beautiful island, is part of what makes MELLA what it is.
Inspired by the coast, powered by values
From the very beginning, MELLA has been about more than just lovely soap. It’s about sustainability. Slowness. Sensory moments that help you feel more grounded.
The name itself comes from the Shetland word to mell — to mix, to blend. It’s about combining creativity with care, scent with story, product with purpose.
Whether I’m designing new packaging, pouring candles with Shetland-inspired scents, or sharing stories with stockists, the heart of this business is always the same - keep it natural, keep it thoughtful and keep it kind.
It’s not always tidy, but it’s full of magic
There are days when the workshop smells of lavender, geranium, and a bit of chaos. Days when I pack orders in my pyjamas. Days when I feel tired, but deeply grateful.
Because every sale supports a slow, sustainable way of working. Every order tells me that people do care about what they put on their skin, and how it’s made.
And every time someone lights a MELLA candle or unwraps a bar of soap, they’re not just buying a product, they’re bringing a little piece of this northern, windswept, salty-souled business into their home.
Thank you for supporting handmade, heart-led, weather-tested small business.
With love from Soapy HQ in Shetland,
Mel x