Avon Woman Turns Homemade Holiday Caramels Into Sweet Business

AVON, CT — What started as a homemade holiday gift for friends and family has turned into a seasonal candy business for one Avon resident.

Ariana Malutich, founder of Steady Habits Candy Co., makes sea-salted caramels in small batches, handling everything from cooking to cutting and wrapping the candies by hand.

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Malutich began making caramels as holiday gifts in 2018.

Over the years, friends encouraged her to sell them, but it wasn't until Small State Provisions founder Kevin Masse persuaded her to take the next step that she decided to turn her hobby into a business.

She officially opened orders in November 2025 and sold out during her first holiday season.

Now, as the 2026 holiday season approaches, Malutich is preparing to continue the business she operates alongside her full-time marketing career.

Malutich currently works at Travelers and previously spent 12 years at LEGO.

Steady Habits Candy Co. is a one-woman operation, with Malutich personally overseeing the production process.

Each batch of sea-salted caramels takes approximately three hours to cook before the candies are cut and individually wrapped by hand.

"Small batch is a fairly literal description around here," Malutich said.

The business produces its caramels in seasonal batches, continuing a tradition that began with homemade holiday gifts eight years ago.

Malutich said the decision to launch Steady Habits Candy Co. followed years of encouragement from friends who wanted to purchase the caramels she had been making for them.

Her first season's sellout marked the beginning of the Avon-based candy business as it heads into its second holiday season.

For more information and to order, click on this link.