When you love what you do, you never work a single day, and this is what Emera Remedios, from Saligao, has been doing for the last four years.
It all started when she found her penchant for soap and candle making and created them for her kids and friends, and then it turned into a business, a highlight of which was when she created one for international celebrity chef, Vikas Khanna.
It was Juwel Gomes, a client of Emera Remedios, who requested her to make something very unique and special and Goa-related to gift Chef Vikas Khanna.
Says Emera, “I curated some rose and sunflower candles in coconut shells (which was very symbolic of Goa) and has a little bit of Goa in it. I had to do a bit of research, too. Though I didn’t go to New York, my candles reached there.” And, this is evident from Khanna’s social media pages, as it sits in his restaurant ‘Bungalow’ in New York City.
Though her home grown brand, 'Mirasha', has a humble beginning, she loves how she progressed from making innovative soaps for her daughters, Arya and Ayesha, to running a business.
She says, “I started my candle and soap business to combine my passion for creativity with my desire for a sustainable lifestyle. I’ve always loved crafting and wanted to create products that are not only beautiful, but also natural and environmentally-friendly.”
I started my candle and soap business to combine my passion for creativity with my desire for a sustainable lifestyle. I’ve always loved crafting and wanted to create products that are not only beautiful, but also natural and environmentally friendly.
Emera Remedios, Founder of Mirasha
Emera says she uses only natural ingredients like coconut and almond oils, among others to make the products safe.
“Along with safety, I also enjoy the idea of bringing a little warmth and comfort into people’s homes through my creations. I use high quality beeswax, soy wax, fragrance and essential oils from reputed companies,” she explains.
This also gives Emera the opportunity to customise a variety of candles and soaps for her clients according to their needs and budgets.
Starting from lip balms, solid perfumes, bath salts, wax scent sachets, hampers, death anniversary jars, Indian sweet candle boxes like pedha, motichoor laddoos, kaju katli, jalebi, coconut laddoo, barfi, Emera has widened her range to over 300 different products.
These items are also perfect for those who want to gift something to their friends and family, especially the Goa-themed soaps (with the beach effect) and Goa-themed candles in the coconut shells (with shells and fish made of wax).
Behind every successful woman is a man. But, in Emera’s case, it’s also her mother and her children along with her husband - Aaron Paul, “My mother Filomena Remedios is my full-time support. From packaging to helping out during big orders, my mother has been a pillar of support.”
Her daughters help out, too. She proudly says, “They love helping with tasks like mixing scents and choosing colours, which adds a fun, creative element. Plus, involving them helps teach important lessons about entrepreneurship and creativity, making it a great bonding experience. It’s wonderful to share this journey with them!”
You can buy Mirasha products at Saligao, Anjuna and Pilerne:
LOCATION: Made in Saligao Community Market, Saligao Institute, Saligao
WHEN TO GO: October 29 (and every Tuesday, from 4.30 to 8.30pm)
LOCATION: The Goa Collective Bazaar at Hilltop, Anjuna
WHEN TO GO: Every Friday
LOCATION: Pilerne Heritage Market, Pilerne
WHEN TO GO: Thursday
You can reach out to Emera Remedios on: +91 98906 38292 / @ mirasha_goa