The CandleWala

Same Difference Sat Down with The Candlewala — This Is Their Story

At first glance, The Candlewala might seem like a charming small business selling scented candles inspired by Indian nostalgia. But behind every flame is a powerful story of family, identity, and purpose.

We sat down with Sharon Sondh, a seasoned Marketing Director with a 20-year career under her belt, and her brother Hari — the heart and hands behind The Candlewala — to learn how a quiet idea turned into a movement of meaning.

“I Started It for My Brother”

Sharon has worked at the highest levels of global marketing, but nothing means more to her than The Candlewala — a brand she built from scratch for Hari.

Hari has cerebral palsy and attended a special needs school in Scotland. Later, he earned a BSc in IT, graduating at 30 — an incredible milestone. But after six years of applying for jobs and receiving no offers, his confidence, like so many in his position, began to wear thin.

That’s when Sharon stepped in. Using her skills in branding and marketing, she created The Candlewala — a business that gives Hari meaningful work, a daily purpose, and the pride of knowing he’s building something truly special.

What Heritage Means to Us

The Candlewala isn’t just about wax and wicks. It’s about memories — bottled in glass, lit with love.

“Our candles are rooted in nostalgia,” Sharon explains. “They’re shaped by the smells, sounds and stories of home — the scent of garam chai after school, the fizz of nimbu pani on a sticky summer afternoon, the soft hug of your Nani’s dupatta.”

For many in the South Asian diaspora, identity is layered — British, Asian, somewhere in-between. The Candlewala helps hold those threads together. Each scent is a nod to a moment, a feeling, a place — captured in colour and flame.

They don’t follow trends. Their candles are memory-led, identity-led. Designed for homes that smell of both toast and tadka — and celebrate that beautiful mix.

The Inspiration Behind the Business

The name “Candlewala” means “the one who brings candles” — and for them, that’s Hari. Every candle is packed by Hari himself from their family home in Scotland, with help from Mum and Dad.

The idea came from their mother, who always lit a candle while cooking to help mask the smell of masala. That small ritual sparked something bigger: candles that not only freshen the air, but also evoke home, culture, and belonging.

And every order supports something deeper. For each candle sold, 50p is donated to Cerebral Palsy Scotland, helping others like Hari be seen, supported, and given a fair shot.

The Challenges — And the Quiet Power of Showing Up

Hari’s journey is one of quiet resilience. At school, expectations were low — but Hari never stopped showing up. He learned to swim, played five-a-side football, joined the Boys’ Brigade. He earned his degree. He sent out his CV.

And for six years, he didn’t get a job offer. 

That kind of rejection would wear anyone down. But Hari never stopped believing he had something to offer. And now, through The Candlewala, he does — every single day.

“We need to stop underestimating people with disabilities,” Sharon says. “Hari is not the exception. He’s the proof. It’s time we made room.”

Favourite Scent? Easy — Garam Chai

When asked which candle means the most, Sharon doesn’t hesitate: Garam Chai.

“It takes me straight back to my childhood, walking in from school to the smell of chai simmering on the stove. That memory lives in this candle.”

A new scent is also on the way — one that celebrates their East African roots. Jambo Africafe is a deep roast coffee blend inspired by afternoons on a veranda in Nairobi, where time slowed and life felt full.

Advice for Young Creators? Just Start.

“If I could give one piece of advice to anyone starting a business, it would be: just start,” says Sharon. “Start today. Start at 5pm. Start with what you have. Don’t wait for perfect — it doesn’t exist.”

The Candlewala is proof of that. It began with a spark, a purpose, and the belief that scent could carry stories. Today, it’s a thriving business, a family mission, and a reminder that home isn’t always a place — sometimes, it’s something you light.

You can get 10% off your order at http://www.thecandlewala.com with code SAMEDIFFERENCE10