Exploring Life & Business with Shyela Malani of Muria Foods

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shyela Malani.

Hi Shyela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When my parents moved to Miami 4 years ago from the Northeast, my brother and I followed from NYC and SF as we were both working remotely during the pandemic and Miami seemed like the most enticing place to be. We found a new community and had a renewed sense of creativity. For my mom, it was creating new recipes and sharing her cooking with new friends and family. My brother was inspired enough by the specialty CPG space to extend his design capabilities to create our brand, packaging, and look, tone and feel. I made the choice to leave my corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship, and this venture felt like the best stepping stone into a commitment to building in the CPG (consumer packaged goods) space.

What started as a housewarming gift to a new friend turned into our signature product, the Pepper No. 1 Preserve, something I had believed in for years and was happy to get the validation from the hosts of the party. It took us a year to establish the company, find the right vendors and partners (all in Florida), test and develop the winning recipe, and run a first production of our product.

We officially launched during Thanksgiving 2024 online for family & friends, and in specialty retailers like Miami Cheese Shop, Chevre, and the Flow Farmers Market in Q1 2025.

Muria Foods mission is to inspire people to reinvent traditions, be open to bold and unexpected flavors, and commit to sustainability in everyday life. We want to shake up the specialty condiments market across the country.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Developing new systems – entrepreneurship requires a different skillset than corporate
Communication & working with family – learning how to separate your personal relationships from work

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Muria Foods?
Muria Foods, a family-owned startup specializing in culinary specialties, officially launched with the unveiling of its first condiment, Pepper No. 1 Preserve, at the prestigious Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas, NV. Rooted in legacy, Muria Foods is committed to crafting premium, sustainable products that honor family traditions while inspiring new ones through the shared experience of food. This versatile spread combines bold, sweet, and spicy flavors with hot Thai peppers, sweet bell peppers, and chia seeds. Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free, it’s perfect as a glaze, dip, dressing, and more.

“Food has always been a big part of our family, and we wanted to bring that same feeling we had at our own table to everyone else’s,” said Shyela Malani, co-founder and COO of Muria Foods. Preservation is at the heart of our brand— from the recipes to the reusable materials we use. There are simple ways to make any meal a special occasion, and that’s what we hope to show people with Pepper No. 1 Preserve.”

Headquartered in South Florida, Muria Foods products feature high-quality ingredients and bold takes on familiar flavor combinations based in family tradition. Pepper No. 1 Preserve is currently available to ship nationwide on www.muriafoods.com and can also be found at select retailers, including Chevre (FL), Marky’s Gourmet (FL), Baba’s Hummus House (MN), and Monroe Place (CA), with more to be announced. It is also available for tastings and purchase at the Flow Farmers Market, in partnership with Flow House Miami and Paradise Farms, on select Sundays throughout the 2025 season, and will be expanding to Flow Farmers Market in Fort Lauderdale starting in June 2025.
—–
I’m most proud of getting our signature product in the hands and homes of people who add a spoon of the Pepper No. 1 Preserve to their daily meals and they feel joy/ are reminded of a memory / want to share our product with someone else in their lives.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Patience and consistency are the most important things. The more you do something, the better you get at it, and building slowly and intentionally with a focus on fundamentals will always position you to win.

Pricing:

• 1 jar of Pepper No. 1 Preserve = $15

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.muriafoods.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muriafoods/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/98670948/admin/dashboard/