94. How Nisprih of Chemnist writes poetry with scent

“Every new idea starts as a question: What if we could bottle this mood? This memory? This scent? That’s where the fun really begins.”

I was introduced to Nisprih [pronounced Nis-pree] Mohan-Ram via my friend Savindi, who has also featured on my Substack! Savindi gave me Nisprih’s Chemnist brand body butter for Christmas. I was delighted at the thoughtful packaging and luscious smells like Coffee Shop Chai that incorporate Nisprih’s heritage in South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. I wanted to ask Nisprih more about her particular blend of art and business.

Here is our interview, lightly edited for concision and clarity. We touch on the origins of Chemnist; balancing the urge for newness with what already works; and a story of Chemnist’s surprising revival.

Rachel: Hi Nisprih! How are you today?

Nisprih: I’m doing well, thank you! I know this has been in the works for a while, so I’m excited to sit down and connect!

R: For sure, same here!

First, I’m curious, how do you know Savindi? I appreciate that she connected us through giving our work to each other; she is such a loyal supporter of small, creative businesses.

N: Savindi and I go way back. High school hallways, shared classes, and the kind of early friendship that sticks. Even then, she had this rare magic about her. She was genuine, kind, and always cheering others on (myself included). Whether it was a school project or taking on extracurriculars, she was the kind of friend who always showed up.

Over the years, that same spirit evolved into this beautiful support for small, creative businesses. She has a real gift for gifting; always picking up thoughtful little things from people she admires. So when she connected us, it felt like classic Savindi: thoughtful, intentional, and full of heart.

R: I totally agree, you’ve characterized Savindi’s generous spirit well :)

Now, I read on your beautifully-designed website that your background is in business, operations, and marketing. How were you inspired to study this, and how did your skills from studying gradually morph into Chemnist?

N: Thank you! I definitely have a soft spot for business and branding. It’s like dressing up your ideas in their best outfit and watching them come to life.

Growing up with two entrepreneurial parents, the business bug bit me early. Dinnertime often came with side servings of strategy talk and startup stories, so I naturally gravitated toward that world. I’ve always loved the idea of “being my own boss”… even if that phrase now feels a little vintage.

Marketing was where I first found my rhythm. It gave me a creative playground where words, visuals, and strategy could all dance together. But I’ve also come to appreciate the less-glamorous side of things like operations, systems, and the nerdy joy of optimization. Because behind every beautiful brand is someone geeking out over spreadsheets and software hacks.

Chemnist started as a little side love letter to scent. It was born from my own obsession with fragrance and a longing to see more cultural representation in the space. I didn’t see what I was looking for on the shelves, so I decided to make it. What began as a passion project slowly turned into a full-blown business. Suddenly, all those skills - marketing, operations, even the dusty corners like PR and sales - got their moment to shine.

R: I have a lot of students interested in pursuing business, and if I’m being honest, I didn’t 100% understand why until you so succinctly explained the appeal. I can definitely relate to “the nerdy joy of optimization”!

Since you are creating cosmetics, did you have to pick up certain scientific knowledge to formulate your body butters with such enticing scents? What was that R&D process like?

N: Such a great question, because yes, there’s definitely a dash of kitchen chemist meets skincare sleuth behind the scenes!

When I started formulating, my goal was simple: create something clean, effective, and gentle enough for my eczema-prone skin. That meant steering clear of things like beeswax and unnecessary fillers, and diving headfirst into ingredient research. Picture me surrounded by open tabs on shelf life, texture chemistry, and oil-to-butter ratios. It was like skincare school, minus the tuition.

It started with lots of solo experimenting (and a few wonky batches I’ll never speak of again), but as Chemnist grew, so did my circle of experts. I started leaning into conversations with people who had been in the lab longer than me.

And because I'm a sucker for beautiful things, packaging became a whole chapter of its own. Sustainability was non-negotiable, but I also wanted the jars to feel like something you’d proudly display on your nightstand. Form and function, in harmony.

R&D hasn’t stopped. It’s this living, breathing part of Chemnist that I’m always playing with. Every new idea starts as a question: What if we could bottle this mood? This memory? This scent? That’s where the fun really begins.

R: Amazing! I admire your commitment to figuring everything out from scratch.

I asked about study and science, but also, how did your hobbies of photography, blogging and video creation play into your work on Chemnist?

N: I’ve always loved playing with visuals, whether it’s through photography, art, or dabbling in video. Chemnist gave those passions a real purpose. If I rewind to 2020 (peak banana bread and peak content creation), there was this amazing wave of people just showing up online in the most creative, unfiltered ways. It was inspiring. That kind of authenticity really influenced how I wanted Chemnist to show up in the world.

I didn’t want the brand to feel like it was talking at people, I wanted it to feel like a conversation. So the photography had to be clean and thoughtful, but still full of personality. And when it came to content on platforms like Instagram, I tried to strike that balance: a polished look with a wink of real-life charm. Think less “editorial spread,” more “bestie who knows her lighting.”

R: For sure, that approachable style comes through in your work.

I love that you have a playlist on the blog so that Chemnist feels like even more of a multi-sensory and culturally enriching brand. I did the same with my travel photo books. Are there any other unexpected ways you get to exercise your creativity through the business?

N: Thank you! I love that you did the same with your travel photo books. There’s something so special about setting a vibe through music, isn’t there? I’ve always believed that scent doesn’t live in a vacuum. It’s tied to memories, music, and stories, so why not create a little world for people to step into?

Brand-building is one of those rare spaces where creativity can really run wild, and I live for the unexpected little moments like naming each scent. It’s a surprisingly emotional process. Every name feels like a miniature love letter, often inspired by the people closest to me. Yogi, for example, is our Palo Santo scent and named after my dad, and Scheherazade is a tribute to my mom and her rich cultural roots. There’s always a bit of storytelling tucked into each jar.

Now that Chemnist has become a bit of a family affair, naming new products has turned into this fun little ritual we do together. So yes, there’s product development and operations—but there’s also this really joyful side of brand-building that feels like writing poetry with scent.

R: That’s such a lovely phrase that I will have to make it the title of this post :)

On the other hand, are there times when you have to hold back your creativity for the sake of the business? For example, I could imagine if a certain product is popular, you might tire of making it because you want to try other ideas. At least that’s how I feel about my washi tape designs, wanting to try something different every time I place a manufacturing order…! How do you navigate moments like that?

N: Oh, I feel this deeply. Especially when it comes to packaging. I’m constantly dreaming up new designs, new aesthetics, new vibes. But the reality? Switching things up too often just isn’t practical… or friendly to the budget. One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn as a creative running a business is this: done is better than perfect.

There’s always the temptation to tweak, rebrand, redesign, especially when you’re someone who lives in the visual world. But at the end of the day, I have to remind myself that consistency and clarity often win over creative restlessness. I could spend forever chasing the “next best look,” or I can get the product into people’s hands and let it do the talking.

It’s a delicate balance - between being the artist and being the operator. Sometimes you have to shelf the exciting idea in favour of what’s working. Not forever… just for now. And like you with your washi tape, I find peace knowing there’s always a next time, a next season, a next launch where I get to bring the new vision to life.

R: Oof, “done is better than perfect” is a phrase I’ve also had to learn to apply to multiple aspects of life! But you’re right, there are always more opportunities in future seasons.

Can you tell us about a really fulfilling moment you’ve had with the business?

N: It’s funny how life tends to tap you on the shoulder just when you’re thinking of walking away. I was in Portugal with my family, soaking up the sun and, quietly, wrestling with a big decision: Was it time to move on from Chemnist? I still loved it (deeply), but I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe I’d taken it as far as it could go.

Then, one evening, just as we were winding down for the night, I checked my email and there it was. A message from Walmart, inviting Chemnist to join their online Marketplace. Naturally, I assumed it was spam. I mean, how on earth did Walmart find me? But it was real. And in that moment, something shifted. It felt like the universe had slid a little Post-it under the door that said: Keep going. You’re not done yet.

That night, I celebrated – not just the opportunity, but the validation. Since then, I’ve stopped underestimating what’s possible. I’ve started aiming higher, even when the goal feels audacious. Because the truth is, fear of rejection is a terrible excuse to play small. And sometimes, the most fulfilling moments arrive right after you nearly give up.

R: That’s wonderful and so true – things work out just as they’re meant to, even if they’re on a timeline we didn’t expect!

Lastly, what are your plans for the future of Chemnist and any other ventures? Where can people follow you?

N: Without giving too much away, let’s just say there are still plenty of ideas simmering for Chemnist. I’m juggling a few other passion projects at the moment and giving time and energy to my family, which is so grounding. But when the timing feels right, I can’t wait to breathe some fresh energy into the brand. The heart of Chemnist will always be the same: celebrating and elevating South Asian and Eastern cultures. But trust me, there’s still a lot of scent-stirring and story-weaving to come.

To keep up with the latest product updates, the Chemnist newsletter is your go-to. And if you’re curious about the person behind the butters with her chaotic calendar, cozy moments, and all, you can follow me on Instagram @bigdawgsoftwoman or subscribe to my Substack, Big Dawg, Soft Woman. It’s where I get a little more personal and a lot more real.

Thank you so much for reaching out and for such thoughtful questions. Wishing you all the magic in your creative journey. I can’t wait to read more on your blog!

R: Thank you so much and likewise! :)

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Inspired by Nisprih’s penchant for fragrances, what is your favourite scent? Share with us in the comments!