What began as a high school hobby is shaping up to be one of the freshest fragrance startups to emerge from the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah. Malabar, founded by Calder Stratford, Marshall Moorehead, and Tenney Palmer, is redefining what it means to wear scent in a conscious, modern way.
The three co-founders, all originally from New York, came together over a shared interest in fragrance and concern over what goes into it. Traditional perfumes, they noticed, were often packed with synthetic chemicals, many of them unregulated and potentially harmful. That insight led them to start experimenting with natural alternatives, eventually developing their first scent using only organic essential oils and sugar cane alcohol as a clean, skin-safe base.
“We wanted to create something that not only smelled great but that we actually felt good putting on our skin,” said Stratford.
From launching with a single scent, Malabar has grown into a multi-product line that now includes three signature fragrances, hand-poured candles, and a wax-based perfume. Each item reflects the founders’ commitment to simplicity, transparency, and elevated design.
“We’re not trying to reinvent fragrance, we’re just doing it better,” said Palmer. “We have cleaner formulas, more intentional design, and no unnecessary extras.”
Malabar is also building a community alongside their product line. Their Instagram showcases their sleek aesthetic and behind-the-scenes process while giving voice to a growing base of clean fragrance lovers. They’ve also launched an affiliate program and are collaborating with influencers to grow their reach organically.
As they work to break into boutiques in both Salt Lake City and New York, the team sees this next chapter as the beginning of something bigger: a movement toward fragrance that’s not only better for you but designed to feel as good as it smells. “This is just the beginning,” said Moorehead. “We are building more than a product; we are building trust.”
More articles like this in ‘Student Innovation @ the U!’
Find this article and a lot more in the 2026 “Student Innovation @ the U” report. The publication is presented by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute to celebrate student innovators, change-makers, and entrepreneurs.
