Sharon Sondh has launched ‘The Candlewala’, a unique candle brand inspired by the rich scents and cherished memories of Indian childhoods. Each candle captures nostalgic moments bringing the warmth of home into every space. With a strong sense of purpose at its core, The Candlewala also donates 50p from every order to a cerebral palsy charity, blending fragrance with heart and social impact.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Sharon shared that she named The Candlewala after her brother Hari, who has cerebral palsy. “Hari, who’s now 37, went to a special needs school in Scotland and later earned a BSc in IT, graduating at 30 due to the challenges posed by his disability,” she said. “Despite actively seeking work for over five years, he never received a job offer. I realised we couldn’t keep waiting for the right opportunity, I wanted to create something where he could feel purposeful and valued.”
With a background in marketing, Sharon combined her skills with a mission to give Hari meaningful work. The Candlewala was born—offering candles inspired by nostalgic Indian scents like Nimbu Pani, Pistachio Kulfi, Masala Chai, and Rose Falooda. Other scents draw from memories, such as “Morning Dua” and “Nani’s Hugs.” Hari manages packing and dispatching: printing postage, carefully boxing the candles, and taking them to the post office. “It might take him longer, but what matters is that he wakes up with purpose and plays an important role in the business,” Sharon added.
Sharon’s inspiration for ‘The Candlewala’ comes from the nostalgic scents of her childhood. “My mom would always light a candle while cooking, especially masala chicken, to mask the smell. She tried everything, but only candles worked,” Sharon shares. This sparked her idea to create candles that capture those comforting aromas. Her Garam Chai candle blends cinnamon, clove, and warming spices, instantly evoking memories of masala tea brewing at home. Another favourite, Nimbu Pani, offers fresh, uplifting notes of lime, lemon, and mint. Each scent is carefully crafted to recreate those cherished memories and bring the essence of home into any space.
On the community’s response, Sharon said, “The South Asian community in the UK is growing, and people really want a reminder of home, that’s what I aim to provide. Since launching, the response has been incredible, we sold out within days. As a purpose-driven brand, we also donate 50p from every order to the charity Cerebral Palsy Scotland. The candles don’t just smell nostalgic, they look beautiful in any modern home.”
Emphasising on the South Asian brands getting enough visibility in the UK lifestyle and wellness space, Sharon said, “I truly believe in the power of collaboration. My focus now is on identifying other brands who can help shift the narrative around wellness, particularly within Indian and South Asian cultures. I think it's crucial for us to come together and amplify this message. Only by collaborating can we truly make an impact. If all our brands unite, we can become a formidable force. In the UK, there's been a longstanding appreciation for Indian culture, especially through the beloved tradition of enjoying a curry on a Friday night which has been around for over 50 years. It’s not just Indians who enjoy this, but also many British people who hold Indian culture in high regard. When I look at the customers buying my candles, it's not just South Asians, there's a strong demand from British people too. The vibrancy, the colours, and the essence of our products resonate with a broader audience than we might realise. Our market is far more expansive than we often give credit for.”
On advising South Asian women looking to create a brand, Sharon said, “I believe that for many South Asian women, the biggest barrier is fear of failure. Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve come to realise that we need to embrace that fear and push forward anyway. Failure, in fact, is a valuable tool because it offers redirection. It gives us the information we need to try again, but smarter and with more insight. As South Asian women, we need to be braver. We deserve a seat at the table, and our voices must be heard. My question is, if not now, then when? That's what I always tell my friends who are contemplating starting a business, if not now, when? It’s time to take action, make bold moves, and just get started.”
Website: www.thecandlewala.com.
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