BAVINA SOOKDEO
In the captivating world of scented candles, people have crafted businesses that not only light up homes but also bring a distinct touch to the local candle market.
Judy Planchart and Sherwin Mungal who operate under Iris Candle, has seamlessly blended their passion for candles with a commitment to sustainability and community engagement.
Iris Candle emerged in the tumultuous year of 2020 when Planchart, a lover of all things scented, sought solace and purpose during the pandemic. What began as a hobby quickly evolved into a full-fledged business, fuelled by a love for crafting candles and the desire to provide quality, locally made products. As Planchart explains, “Making candles is very science-like, a lot of wick testing with each different fragrance oil and different jars, but once you get through with your testing, it is so fulfilling.”
The journey began with the Signature Collection featuring six distinct scents, and expanded into hand sanitisers to meet the growing demand during the pandemic. From there, the duo embarked on extensive testing to broaden their collections, including a Christmas candle and wax melt collection, which boasts scents like Fraser Fir, Evergreen, and Merry Christmas. “All the Christmas scents sell really well,” said Planchart. “We also do gift boxes as people love a well-presented gift.”
What sets Iris Candle apart is not just the captivating fragrances but also a commitment to sustainability. Planchart and Mungal utilise soy wax in their candles, providing an eco-friendly alternative. Wrapping paper as well as biodegradable packing peanuts for boxed packages are used.
[caption id="attachment_1051411" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The elements are highlighted in one of the Iris Candle collections. -[/caption]
Additionally, they offer refills for all their jars (which they check to make sure they are candle safe), encouraging customers to bring back their containers for a new lease of aromatic life.
“The most important feature in our scented products would be our fragrances. We mix our own scents ourselves and we sourced a company that specialises in oils for people with mild asthma and sinus issues, that was our biggest goal with making candles...for everyone to be able to enjoy a beautifully lit candle,” Planchart explains, emphasising their dedication to making scented products accessible to a broader audience.
Iris Candle champions the importance of shopping locally for Christmas gifts. Planchart believes it contributes to the local economy and creates jobs that generate income circulating within the community. As the owners wear multiple hats in their business, from making candles to managing social media and delivery, they embody the spirit of local entrepreneurship. Planchart envisions local businesses as a source of inspiration, showing that with dedication and hard work, a small business can evolve into a staple on the island.
Despite the challenges of sourcing materials locally and dealing with supply chain unpredictability, Planchart a
