Carolina Díaz is the founder of Maripupa Candles, a purpose-driven brand born on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. She is passionate about wellness, transformation, and intentional living.
Her mission is to share her inner light with the world while helping others do the same. Carolina creates artisanal candles crafted from recycled wine bottles or artistic pottery and natural soy wax. But Maripupa is more than candles, it’s about guiding people into rituals of self-connection and transformation.
Together with her partner, Carolina has built a brand that intertwines sustainability, artistry, and spirituality, helping people reconnect with themselves through intentional daily practices.
Business can be a crazy rollercoaster ride! How do you motivate yourself during challenging times?
For me, motivation always comes back to my “why.” Whenever challenges arise, I remind myself that Maripupa isn’t just a business, it’s my purpose.
Lighting a candle, practicing meditation, or simply stepping outside to connect with nature helps me reset. I also lean on my partner and friends for support.
Remembering the people we touch with our work gives me strength to keep moving forward. Of course, some days, you just want to escape, and say goodbye to everything. But in those moments, I allow myself to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the purpose behind Maripupa and to create light, literally and figuratively, in people’s lives.
Challenges are opportunities to grow and innovate. I let myself feel the emotions, but I don’t stay there too long; I keep moving forward because deep down, I feel the world calling all of us to rise and live life without excuses.
How has your culture and upbringing influenced you as a woman, both personally and professionally?
I grew up in Colombia, surrounded by resilience, warmth, and strong women who always found light even in hard times. That spirit has shaped the way I live and work today.
Personally, it has given me courage to believe in transformation and in creating opportunities even when things aren’t easy. Professionally, it has given me a strong work ethic, creativity, and the ability to build meaningful connections. My roots remind me to carry gratitude, community, and joy in everything I do.
Why do you think it’s so important to have self-care rituals as women?
As women, we often give so much of ourselves to others, and it’s easy to forget about our own needs and cicles. Rituals, whether it’s lighting a candle, journaling, or simply taking a mindful breath, create sacred pauses where we return to ourselves.
These practices aren’t luxuries, they’re necessary. They ground us, give us energy, and remind us that we can only pour into others when our own cup is full.
How is it like building a business together with your best friend and partner?
Building a business with the people I love has been one of the most beautiful and challenging journeys of my life. Creating Maripupa with my best friend Kelly taught me what it means to grow, learn, and create side by side.
Now, building our brand with my partner Henry adds another layer of depth, we share a vision and a deep trust that makes us stronger as a team. Of course, there are moments of friction, but that’s only because we care so deeply.
Henry brings vision and creativity, while I bring care, execution, and balance. Together, we’ve created something that carries both of us in its essence and that’s incredibly fulfilling.
What words of wisdom would you like to impart to other fellow women of colour who’re looking to start their own business?
There will always be challenges, but your uniqueness is your greatest strength. Don’t try to fit into a mould, let your culture, your story, and your perspective shine through everything you create.
Building a business is not just about the work; it’s also about your own growth and transformation.
Seek community, ask for help, and celebrate every small win along the way. And above all, remember: you are worthy of the opportunities and the success that come your way.
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