Marle Woman: Ally Walsh

Marle Women is a series that delves into the lives of inspiring women. Through thoughtful and intimate conversations, we uncover the unique journeys and perspectives that shape their stories.

In this edition, we sit down with Ally Walsh, Co-Founder of Canyon Coffee and model. Ally reflects on the key moments that have shaped her business, how motherhood has shifted her perspective and the everyday rituals that fuel her creativity.

Starting Canyon Coffee in your Santa Monica apartment with Casey must have been quite a journey. What’s a memorable moment from those early days that still resonates with you?

Those years were definitely filled with memorable moments, and at the same time it feels so much like a blur now. We spent many days and nights filling and stickering bags right at our kitchen table. Our living room often turned into a shipping center, filled with boxes, labels, and coffee bags everywhere. I also vividly remember our drives to Oxnard on the PCH to pick up our coffee—usually just 20 to 40 lbs a week back when we started. Also, all the pop-up’s and events (we used to do 2 or 3 a month) which is what really brought our coffee to life in the community. Running a coffee cart for Echo Park Craft Fair for a few years was always a fun time.

How has becoming a parent to Sonny influenced your approach to both Canyon Coffee and your modelling career?

Having Sonny has had the most profound, meaningful, beautiful effect on my life. It has reshaped my priorities in so many ways. It's deepened my desire for work that's truly meaningful—both with Canyon Coffee and in my modeling career. I've become much more focused and efficient with my time, setting clear work hours so I can turn off and be fully present when I'm with Sonny. Parenthood makes you reflect on your career and align it more closely with your values. Overall, it’s about managing my time better and ensuring I’m there for those special moments with my son.

What role does design play in Canyon Coffee? How do these influences manifest in your brand?

Design is central to everything we do at Canyon Coffee, and likewise, it’s a direct extension of our brand philosophy — emphasizing longevity, simplicity and connection.. It’s all about crafting an experience that not only reflects those core values but also makes people feel welcome. We try to use simple, approachable visuals that embody warmth and create a sense of community and connection.

What’s been the most rewarding feedback you’ve received from your customers?

Probably seeing regulars at our shop every morning; seeing how what we’ve created has become a meaningful part of their daily routines. And every one of those individuals has their own unique story about what our coffee and community mean to them. The daily interactions we have with people like that remind us that what we’re doing extends beyond just serving coffee. It’s really heartwarming, and motivates us to keep going.

Can you share a recent project or initiative at Canyon Coffee that you’re particularly proud of?

We are so excited about launching our first canned cold brew! From concept to execution, it has actually been a really fast product development — about three months. We teamed up with our talented friend and designer, Fred L’Ami, who helped us create a beautiful design that’s coherent with our brand to date, while also evolving some of its core elements. We also pushed to make it a full, direct print (no sleeves or labels) meaning it is truly 100% recyclable. The coffee itself is smooth and delicious, crafted to deliver the consistent and layered flavors Canyon Coffee has become known for. We used a Regenerative Organic Certified coffee from a co-op in Colombia we have worked with for 7 straight years.

For years, we’d been hearing from fans who love Canyon but also enjoy cold brew for their morning ritual. We hope this new way of enjoying Canyon will elevate those folks’ experience, while also enabling them to feel good about the impact of the product.

How do you stay inspired and creative in both your work and your personal life? Are there specific rituals or sources of inspiration you turn to?

Travel and embracing novelty are so important for me. Traveling exposes me to new cultures and ideas, which I’ve found to stimulate my creativity and truly broaden my perspective. At home, I keep inspired by visiting local art museums, getting into nature, trying new things (even recipes) and reading. It all plays a part in fueling my creativity and passion, helping me stay inspired in different areas of my life.

You've just returned from Greece— any particular highlights or places you'd recommend?

I loved Greece so much. I spent a couple days in Athens, and the rest of the trip in Sifnos, and I couldn’t recommend both places more. Sifnos, in particular… swimming in the sea all day, the most fresh, delicious food, all the ceramicists with their shops, the profoundly kind people — it really felt like a dream of a trip.