In this week’s The Third Degree column Paul Bradley spoke with Linda McClean of Mallow Mia. Having grown up on a farm in Donegal, Linda was “always mad about food, flavours and cooking”.
Linda’s impressive work experience saw her based in England and Germany, before returning home, where, supported by Donegal Women’s Network, she turned her endeavours to creating her own business, Mallow Mia. Her business is not only producing delicious goods but is also helping to shine a spotlight on young people’s mental health.
Hi Linda, many thanks for agreeing to do this interview. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, please?
I grew up on a farm in Donegal and was always mad about food, flavours and cooking. I studied Food Science at Queen’s in Belfast and then went to Aberdeen to complete a Masters in International Food Marketing and Business Management.
After that, I started working in food product development in England. At 24, I gathered up all my belongings and drove my car all the way to Heidelberg in Germany to start a new job as a beverage technologist at a flavour company there. I could only speak a few words of German when I arrived. I suppose it was all about the great unknown and the freedom to do something new and interesting. I was responsible for developing new recipes for all their UK, Irish and Scandinavian customers. During this period, I created the recipe for WKD Blue.
I spent 15 years in total in beverage product development During that period I also lived and worked in England, Belgium and Holland. It was a really interesting time for me. You would be working on projects for Diageo one day, the next day Irn Bru. And then the next for Twinings Tea.
Your business, Mallow Mia, seems to be going well these days – how much of a punt was it for you when you started, or were you confident there was a market?
Well, it was a real leap of faith. I suppose if I’m honest, I had no idea if it would work out and you never know for sure anyway, do you? It can be a lot of work running your own business, especially at the start when you’re finding your feet. Donegal Women’s Network was really helpful at the time, and meeting other small business owners. I remember I completed a ‘Start Your Own Food Business’ course with the local Enterprise Office. And I had the idea from tasting handmade marshmallows a few years before. I attended a lot of food markets and food festivals in the early days and saw people’s reaction when they sampled this new kind of marshmallow in all the different flavours; their faces lit up and they wanted to buy them. When I got my website going I started to get more corporate orders and from people from all over the country who just wanted a different gift to send to their friends.
You’ve expanded into classes and experience for people who want to try making their own mallows. Do you have to sometimes put your hands over your eyes when you see what we do with your ingredients?
Ha ha! Ah no, I love it! My background is in flavours so I can give plenty of guidance but it’s always up to the individual to choose their own combinations. I’m always getting plenty of suggestions for new flavour ideas. They absolutely love the moment of freedom and creativity. It gives a real sense of achievement to create your own 100% unique, delicious marshmallows to take home.
A delicious offering at Mallow Mia.
Has word of mouth been a big factor for you, or do people find you through your (very handsome) website?
Thank you so much. Yes, word of mouth. And a lot of it is through social media. We get a lot of really lovely feedback. People mention to their colleagues about the fun thing they did with their family at the weekend, shops selling the marshmallows tell their customers. I really appreciate it all. When a wee child says “that was the best day ever” it makes it all worthwhile. You know you’re doing something right
Do customers come for regular treats, or for special occasions? Is it my imagination, or are there just many more small special occasions than there used to be?
Absolutely, that’s it. The experiences are suitable for all ages and suit most abilities. People come to the workshops for everything from birthday celebrations; just something nice to do with their family during a family trip to Donegal; to have niece and aunty days out; hen parties; and team building activities. Primary schools, football clubs, and girl guides come for their end of year treat. We usually host Easter and Halloween chocolate workshops as well and have seen lots of visitors return.
Do you have seasons when you’re just overwhelmed with demand – say, Valentine’s Day, or music festivals, or a last hurrah before the New Year diets kick in?
Haha. Yes, January in comparison is a much less busy month than December, definitely. We’re so busy coming up to Christmas. It’s mental but we always get through it. And yes, Valentine’s Day (just past). Yes – we’re really busy with bookings and wholesale orders at the moment.
Do you have a sweet tooth yourself?
Yes I do. I love chocolate, and I know our customers have too! We love chocolate at Mallow Mia.
You also work as a food scientist, often with new SMEs. What does that work involve – are you there for guidance on flavour, safety, packaging?
Yes, I also work for the North West Regional College in their Foodovation centre. We work with SMEs, helping them scale up their recipes, develop new products, nutritional labelling, shelf-life testing etc. I have met so many great people through this and worked on projects as varied as vegan cheese and nettle drinks.
Do you get time for yourself, and how do you fill it?
I love going out for walks in Donegal. I just love being there in the countryside!
Any business plans you can tell us about?
Yes, I would love to expand the range of food experiences available. I get so much from meeting new people and sharing recipes.
Are there any local issues you would like to draw attention to?
I think young people’s mental health. We do a lot of our marshmallow workshops now in schools in Donegal. think if we change the way we think we can change how we feel and behave. I think it’s a vital but very basic life skill. We mentor a lot of students at Mallow Mia. We love giving these young people the confidence and skills to work in the food industry or start their own business.
