L u n i c o

W i l l i a m  J o l l y m o r e

Soy Candles, Reed Diffusers, &
Soy Wax Melts

Your company has such a unique name! What does the name Lunico represent?

Lunico is a mashup of the names of two cats I used to have - Luna and Nico. My business is all about feeling comfortable and enjoying your space at home. I wanted to commemorate the joy they brought. The colours used in the core products currently released also represent them through the black, white and silver.

How would you describe your candle scents?

My range of candle scents mainly represents things that bring back memories for me, so it's a personally curated collection. Whether it's the Seaside scent which takes me back to those family trips to the ocean as a kid, or Daily Grind which represents my morning ritual of relaxing with a cup of coffee and the news, I feel comfortable and at home. Then there are others like Spa Day and Spill The Tea, which help me relax because they're light and refreshing, and I need to remind myself to be still sometimes.

My current collection features scent profiles which go from "sweet and fruity," plus "rich and indulgent," through to "fresh and clean," so there are plenty of choices to fit a range of tastes.

Do you have a favorite candle scent?

Yes! Simply The Zest, which is new to the store, is my go-to candle at home. It's a blend of grapefruit, lime, and lemon, and it's delicious (but don't eat it). It makes the house smell wonderful while it's burning, and I keep one unlit on the bedside table with the lid off, so I still get the fragrance while reading in bed before I drift off to sleep.

What does your candle hand making process look like?

I start by turning on the wax melter, as it will take a while for the wax to liquefy. While that's happening, I get my jars ready by attaching the wicks and organising them in groups by scent.  Once the wax is at the right temperature, I dispense it into mixing jugs and add in the fragrance oils.  Everything is measured by weight according to the recipe for each candle, so it's exact each time.  After the fragrance oils are added, the mixtures get a good stir so the oils and wax blend together nicely.

Once the scented wax is ready, I fill each of the jars, and then... I wait. The candles get left to cool and harden up while I clean the work area. After they've cooled, I trim the wicks to the correct length, apply the labels, and put on the lids. From there, they spend some time curing, which helps the soy wax give off the best scent, because it continues to harden and seal in the fragrance oils over time.

There is nothing quite like seeing a batch of my handiwork ready to go out to my customers.

If you could pair any food or drink to set the mood while lighting a candle, then what would it be?

This is a hard one to answer because I usually have a candle burning, eating and drinking or not! I’d say a good cheese platter is a winner. Easy going, but still a bit fancy, so it fits.

Why do you think people resort to candles for wellness and relaxation?

Our sense of smell is one of the ways we interact with our surroundings, so I think it makes sense that we’re calmed or pleased by something that smells good. Lunico also offers an Apothecary Collection, which are candles featuring scents such as sandalwood and patchouli, which are popular with people who may not want a “food” candle while they’re meditating or reading.

"Our sense of smell is one of the ways we interact with our surroundings, so I think it makes sense that we’re calmed or pleased by something that smells good".

Candles can help with setting the mood and creating a relaxing environment, much like how music can. Just imagine having a hot bubble bath with your favorite candle burning; you have your ideal atmosphere through so many sensations including the scent and ambience from the candle, and you just feel good about it.

Do you offer additional products?

Yes, the product lineup at Lunico also includes soy wax melts and reed diffusers. Most of the scents available through our store are offered across all of the product types, so you can pick up your favorite in all three if you’d like.  It was important to offer alternatives to candles, so you can get the same great scents without a flame if you choose a reed diffuser, or even wax melts when used in an electric warmer.

Are there any challenges you've had to overcome as a CEO?

Absolutely. As a new business, gaining trust is a huge task, but such a pleasure. I gave away many candles and relied on a lot of referrals when I got started.

Another challenge has been the COVID pandemic. The supply chain was seriously interrupted for quite a while, so it was hard to keep everything in stock. People were shopping online a lot for a while, but then there was a noticeable downturn as things went on. With the current state of the economy, it’s important to provide high-quality products and services if people are going to part with their money. I’m always looking at ways to provide the best value for current customers and to help new customers decide to give Lunico a try.

What are some words of advice you can give to entrepreneurs who want to start their own candle companies?

If you’re not an experienced candle maker, start small. You’ll want to get the hang of candle making and decide if you really want to stick with it. If you’re using quality materials, it gets expensive fast because you have to do so many burn tests on all of your candles. You may have the most beautiful vessels and scents, but you have to be sure your candles burn safely and reliably before you go into business.

"If you’re not an experienced candle maker, start small. You’ll want to get the hang of candle making and decide if you really want to stick with it. If you’re using quality materials, it gets expensive fast because you have to do so many burn tests on all of your candles. You may have the most beautiful vessels and scents, but you have to be sure your candles burn safely and reliably before you go into business".

There are many great resources online to help you get started, but be sure to document everything you use and do, that way you can replicate it exactly once you’ve created the perfect candle.

Outside of your business, what are some other hobbies that you enjoy?

I love cooking, singing, and road trips with one of my funky playlists turned right up.

Follow at:
Instagram: @lunicohome.com.au
Facebook: lunicohome.com.au

Photos by: Jacob Thorne-Hall & William Jollymore