Candles In Goa

For Akankshi Sharma, popularly known as Twinkle, Candles In Goa is much more than a candle brand. It is the result of years of experience, experimentation and a deep connection with Goa. Born in Maharashtra, Akankshi has lived in Goa for around 12 years, during which the state gradually became home. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she spent 14 years in the corporate sector before pursuing her passion for photography. After completing a diploma in photography in Goa, she worked professionally as a photographer and later spent two years in Dubai working at an educational institution and a year in Qatar as a professional photographer.

Despite experiencing different careers and countries, her connection with Goa remained strong. She eventually wanted to build something of her own, something she could create with her hands and develop around her interests. That desire led to Candles In Goa, a business she has now devoted almost seven years to. What began with an investment of just ₹5,000 has grown into a dedicated 4-metre by 6-metre studio and mini factory, serving as a professional candle production area, along with a growing customer community and a brand she hopes will take Goa-made candles to the world.

A Brand Born from Passion

The journey began in 2019, when Akankshi started experimenting with candle-making. She spent nearly a year learning, testing and developing different candles before beginning to sell them in 2020. Her vision was simple: to create genuinely good-quality candles that people could enjoy, trust and incorporate into everyday life.

For her, candles were never meant to be merely decorative. Their fragrance, warm glow and ability to influence the atmosphere of a space made them particularly meaningful. Aromatherapy therefore became an important part of the brand, with candles designed to complement relaxation, meditation, candle yoga, self-care and quiet moments. She also wanted to create a women-owned and women-run business that reflected her own ideas, creativity and hard work.

The name Candles In Goa was deliberately kept simple. While she was encouraged to consider something more elaborate, Akankshi wanted customers to immediately know where the candles came from. Goa is her home, inspiration and an important part of her identity, and she takes pride in creating quality products here. Her belief is clear: some of the best candles in India can be made in Goa too.

Candles for Every Mood

Candles In Goa specialises in aromatherapy candles, scented candles and pet-friendly candles, along with customised and gifting products. Its range includes jar candles, decorative candles, customised candles, long-burning candles, wax sachets for cupboards and wardrobes, and wax melts. The brand also caters extensively to weddings, return gifts, corporate and festive gifting, hampers and bulk orders.

Its work extends to white-label projects, with several brands and companies sourcing candles from Candles In Goa to sell under their own names. The products are developed with a focus on natural and quality ingredients, while pet-friendly and pregnancy-friendly options are also offered with safety and comfort in mind.

Fragrance is central to the brand’s identity. Akankshi chooses scents not only for how they smell but also for the atmosphere they can create. Vanilla suits parties and evenings, while pine wood, lavender and oud create a calmer setting. Cinnamon and cinnamon-based blends are recommended for study and focus, Ocean Breeze for freshness and helping neutralise unwanted odours, and lemongrass and lemon for outdoor spaces. Coffee creates a warm, café-like atmosphere, while jasmine and lily bring the freshness of a garden indoors. Each fragrance is intended to have its own mood and purpose.

Where Craft Meets Continuous Learning

Over the years, Akankshi has developed an in-depth understanding of candle-making, from selecting the right wax and wick to studying how different fragrances behave and achieving the desired scent throw and burning experience. Much of her knowledge has come through experimentation, with every batch offering another opportunity to learn and improve.

She has also discovered that building a successful business goes beyond making a good product. Consistency, listening to customers, accepting criticism and continuously improving have all become essential parts of the journey. One of the challenges she encounters is the tendency to compare candles primarily on price, without considering the cost of quality ingredients, proper testing, fragrance development and craftsmanship.

This is why the brand takes a deliberately minimal approach to packaging. Akankshi believes customers should pay for the candle rather than excessive packaging. By using simple, elegant packaging and as little plastic as possible, the brand aims to reduce waste while directing more investment towards wax, fragrances, aromatherapy and the overall quality of the product.

Growing Through Customer Trust

Customer feedback has become one of Akankshi’s biggest sources of motivation. Repeat orders, messages and personal experiences from customers have shown her that the candles are becoming part of people’s everyday routines. Some customers use them after long days to relax, while others incorporate them into yoga and meditation.

One particular piece of feedback that stayed with her was from a customer who told her that she had “nailed it as a candle maker” and that they were the best candles they had used so far. Such responses have helped create a customer community that extends across different parts of the world and continues to encourage her to improve.

Akankshi wants to keep experimenting with fragrances that offer different aromatherapy experiences, whether for relaxation, freshness, focus or simply creating a beautiful atmosphere. However, she does not want to add products simply to make the collection larger. Every new fragrance or product should have a purpose and meet the same quality standards.

From a Small Beginning to a Bigger Dream

The story of Candles In Goa is closely tied to Akankshi’s decision to return to her roots. After 14 years in a corporate career and professional experiences in photography and abroad, she knew she wanted to create something that belonged to her. Starting with ₹5,000, she built the business through years of hard work, failures, experimentation and persistence.

Today, sitting in her own studio, she sees Candles In Goa as much more than a profession. She has invested her time, energy, emotions and a part of herself into the business, with every candle leaving the studio representing another stage of that journey. Goa, meanwhile, remains central to the story, not only as the place where the business operates but as the home that inspired its identity.

Her ambition now stretches beyond the state. Akankshi wants Candles In Goa to reach more customers across India and internationally, while ultimately becoming a name recognised around the world for quality, fragrance and aromatherapy. Her dream is not simply to build a large business, but to demonstrate that passion, hard work and belief can turn a ₹5,000 beginning into something meaningful, and that some of the best candles can come from Goa.