Our Story

Hi, and welcome to Mahalo Market. I am so excited you are here! My name is Rosalee Mwenja and I have had a passion for crafting my entire life. I have always wanted to start and run a successful side business selling my handmade products. In 2019 I found myself incredibly burnt out working as a registered nurse, missing my family at home, and feeling guilty about being away from my young son. I also noticed a gap in the market for cute and unique accessories for nurses and other health professionals, so I came up with an idea to design and personalize products such as badge reels and tote bags. I knew how stressful nursing could be and how much nurses love humor, cute accessories, repping their specialty or credentials, and expressing themselves at work to dress up sometimes boring uniforms and boost morale, so that is where the idea took hold.

Mahalo Market was officially registered as an LLC in 2019, with a complete rebranding completed in 2023. The Hawaiian branding is a way I pay tribute to my Hawaiian grandmother, Rosalie and my Hawaiian heritage. I create and sell handmade, unique, and fully customizable products such as badge reels, stethoscope tags, pinback buttons, t-shirts, facemasks, tote bags and every day and seasonal décor and gifts. I use a professional grade cutting machine, button making machine and heat press as well as high quality designs and materials to make my products. 99% of the designs used in my products were designed by me, others were purchased from small design businesses making them extremely unique. My products are not just for nurses or other health professionals. They are perfect for teachers, first responders, students and anyone else who uses an ID badge, tote bag or wants quality and custom apparel.

Mahalo means “thank you” in the Hawaiian language. I chose that name because I want to convey gratitude to my customers and make them feel at peace when they are doing business with me. I aim to provide a seamless shopping experience, fast shipping, quality products that last, excellent customer service, and most importantly products that will bring a smile to your face. Mahalo Market, where everything is Handmade with Heart!