Some businesses are born out of a carefully thought-out business plan. Others start around a kitchen table, with a group of friends, a few litres of soy wax and babies sleeping in the next room.
For Rhythma Berry, founder of Hong Kong-based home-fragrance brand Candle Up, it was very much the latter.
What began in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as a quest to find cleaner-burning candles for her home gradually turned into a creative business built around refillable candles, beautiful vessels and thoughtful design. Today, Candle Up has grown into a brand stocked by some well-known names in the hospitality and retail worlds, with its own distinctive collections and a growing international ambition.
But behind the beautifully presented candles is a story of resourcefulness, determination and knowing when to say no. I sat down with Rhythma to talk about the journey so far, raising two children while running a business, and why Hong Kong has become such a special place to call home. And suddenly, what started as a business meeting felt more like sharing a coffee with a friend than anything else!
For Rhythma Berry, founder of Hong Kong-based home-fragrance brand Candle Up, it was very much the latter.
What began in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as a quest to find cleaner-burning candles for her home gradually turned into a creative business built around refillable candles, beautiful vessels and thoughtful design. Today, Candle Up has grown into a brand stocked by some well-known names in the hospitality and retail worlds, with its own distinctive collections and a growing international ambition.
But behind the beautifully presented candles is a story of resourcefulness, determination and knowing when to say no. I sat down with Rhythma to talk about the journey so far, raising two children while running a business, and why Hong Kong has become such a special place to call home. And suddenly, what started as a business meeting felt more like sharing a coffee with a friend than anything else!
Let's start at the beginning. What brought you to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and how did the idea for Candle Up first come about?
I followed my husband’s career when we moved to Cambodia from New Delhi within the first year of our marriage, as he had a new role in Phnom Penh. One year later, my first baby was born.
A friend told me about soy candles and how they burn more cleanly and are considered safer than regular paraffin candles. We started looking for them all around town, with our babies in our pouches, but couldn't find them anywhere. So we took matters into our own hands and decided to try making them ourselves.
We managed to source soy wax from Bangkok. In the evenings, after 6pm, once our babies were asleep, we would meet in my friend's kitchen to make candles. And what a mess we made!
The name Candle Up has a lovely story behind it: your friends would ask you to “candle up” their empty jars before the business evolved into something much bigger. Can you take us back to those early days?
In 2014, using the Google and YouTube resources available at the time, we did a lot of trial and error and eventually learnt how to make soy wax candles. I remember how the kitchen would look like a war zone after each pour every night!
Once we got the hang of it, our friends started giving us their old candle jars and asking us to “CANDLE it UP”. And that's how the name Candle Up was born. We were perhaps one of the first brands to launch the refill concept.
The idea started gaining momentum, but unfortunately, my friend suddenly moved back to Europe and left me with a box of wax and wicks to carry it forward.
From there on, I got really excited. My brain was exploding with ideas that I couldn't wait to bring to life. Seeing how many candle jars actually end up in landfill after Christmas every year, I decided to use only second-hand, reusable and beautiful vintage ceramics that I found in recycle shops as candle jars.
In 2017, we moved to Hong Kong. I continued pouring candles into recycled ceramics until the brand started growing and collecting recycled jars was no longer an option. We started getting noticed by bigger retailers, and creating something unique to CANDLE UP became imperative.
We began designing in-house and launched our very first 24ct gold-foiled Kohinoor Candles in 2023.
You initially started making candles because you wanted a cleaner-burning option for your home, particularly with a newborn baby around. How important was that personal experience in shaping Candle Up's philosophy, and what should consumers know about the ingredients in the candles they burn at home?
As I started reading about the carcinogenic and toxic ingredients in paraffin candles, as well as the fragrances that contain phthalates and parabens, I made sure I would only use the cleanest ingredients that were safe for me and my baby.
As a candle pourer, you're handling litres of oils and wax every day, so compromising on quality was never an option for me. All our candles are hand-poured by me, and we use essential oils and premium fragrances that are USDA-certified and contain no phthalates or parabens.
Our wicks are either pure cotton, with no lead, or maple wooden wicks. Both are clean-burning and, combined with 100% soy wax, produce no smoke while burning. When extinguishing the flame correctly, there will also be no smoke.
A little tip: always dip the cotton wick into the wax pool instead of blowing it out, and you'll have zero smoke. Alternatively, simply cover it with a lid or candle dome if you're using a wooden wick.
From repurposing existing jars and ceramics to sourcing your own vessels and eventually designing your own collections, Candle Up has come a long way. How has your creative vision evolved, and where do you find inspiration for your designs and fragrances today?
I followed my husband’s career when we moved to Cambodia from New Delhi within the first year of our marriage, as he had a new role in Phnom Penh. One year later, my first baby was born.
A friend told me about soy candles and how they burn more cleanly and are considered safer than regular paraffin candles. We started looking for them all around town, with our babies in our pouches, but couldn't find them anywhere. So we took matters into our own hands and decided to try making them ourselves.
We managed to source soy wax from Bangkok. In the evenings, after 6pm, once our babies were asleep, we would meet in my friend's kitchen to make candles. And what a mess we made!
The name Candle Up has a lovely story behind it: your friends would ask you to “candle up” their empty jars before the business evolved into something much bigger. Can you take us back to those early days?
In 2014, using the Google and YouTube resources available at the time, we did a lot of trial and error and eventually learnt how to make soy wax candles. I remember how the kitchen would look like a war zone after each pour every night!
Once we got the hang of it, our friends started giving us their old candle jars and asking us to “CANDLE it UP”. And that's how the name Candle Up was born. We were perhaps one of the first brands to launch the refill concept.
The idea started gaining momentum, but unfortunately, my friend suddenly moved back to Europe and left me with a box of wax and wicks to carry it forward.
From there on, I got really excited. My brain was exploding with ideas that I couldn't wait to bring to life. Seeing how many candle jars actually end up in landfill after Christmas every year, I decided to use only second-hand, reusable and beautiful vintage ceramics that I found in recycle shops as candle jars.
In 2017, we moved to Hong Kong. I continued pouring candles into recycled ceramics until the brand started growing and collecting recycled jars was no longer an option. We started getting noticed by bigger retailers, and creating something unique to CANDLE UP became imperative.
We began designing in-house and launched our very first 24ct gold-foiled Kohinoor Candles in 2023.
You initially started making candles because you wanted a cleaner-burning option for your home, particularly with a newborn baby around. How important was that personal experience in shaping Candle Up's philosophy, and what should consumers know about the ingredients in the candles they burn at home?
As I started reading about the carcinogenic and toxic ingredients in paraffin candles, as well as the fragrances that contain phthalates and parabens, I made sure I would only use the cleanest ingredients that were safe for me and my baby.
As a candle pourer, you're handling litres of oils and wax every day, so compromising on quality was never an option for me. All our candles are hand-poured by me, and we use essential oils and premium fragrances that are USDA-certified and contain no phthalates or parabens.
Our wicks are either pure cotton, with no lead, or maple wooden wicks. Both are clean-burning and, combined with 100% soy wax, produce no smoke while burning. When extinguishing the flame correctly, there will also be no smoke.
A little tip: always dip the cotton wick into the wax pool instead of blowing it out, and you'll have zero smoke. Alternatively, simply cover it with a lid or candle dome if you're using a wooden wick.
From repurposing existing jars and ceramics to sourcing your own vessels and eventually designing your own collections, Candle Up has come a long way. How has your creative vision evolved, and where do you find inspiration for your designs and fragrances today?
When I started creating our own in-house designs, it felt natural to begin with India, where I come from. Our Kohinoor collection is a reflection of modern, contemporary Indian designs.
When designing, my motivation has always been to create something so beautifully luxurious in design and durable that people can either choose to refill it or continue using it as a decorative piece, as drinkware or to serve aperitifs. The Kohinoor glasses are all food-grade vessels and safe to reuse as drinkware or foodware once the wax is finished.
When designing, my motivation has always been to create something so beautifully luxurious in design and durable that people can either choose to refill it or continue using it as a decorative piece, as drinkware or to serve aperitifs. The Kohinoor glasses are all food-grade vessels and safe to reuse as drinkware or foodware once the wax is finished.
Our latest collection, called the Silk Route Collection, has been inspired by Hong Kong, the melting pot that it is. At any given moment, when we walk through the busy hubs, we can easily see a dozen different nationalities within a square metre.
So we decided to create a collection that tells a story about all the countries along the Silk Route. We have over nine new candle designs, with scents reflecting the Middle East, Morocco, South Asia, Africa and China.
So we decided to create a collection that tells a story about all the countries along the Silk Route. We have over nine new candle designs, with scents reflecting the Middle East, Morocco, South Asia, Africa and China.
To represent China, we cannot wait to launch our Year of the Goat candle this November. I just love it! It's a beautiful deep-red candle with gold decals, infused with a very calming fragrance profile of osmanthus and sandalwood (editor’s note: I’ve been lucky to be gifted this candle by Rhythma, as a little sneak peek, and I’m obsessed!)
Building a business in Cambodia and then growing it in Hong Kong must have come with very different challenges. What have been the biggest turning points in Candle Up's journey, and what is one lesson about entrepreneurship you had to learn the hard way?
The biggest turning point for us was when we started getting noticed by big brands such as The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Debenhams (UK), KrisShop (Singapore Airlines), Cathay and The Upper House.
I knew I was onto something that had massive potential to become something bigger, and I started gradually building it, brick by brick.
The one lesson I learnt, which was so important in getting the brand to where it is today, was to say NO.
Especially during COVID, the brand started getting noticed by many popular retailers and chains. It was very tempting to get swayed by the brand positioning, but I had to decline because working with them would have meant compromising on the quality of the candles to meet the required cost-cutting measures.
Saying no in the beginning helped make a statement in the market: handmade craft cannot be traded at factory-made prices.
We earned that respect and standing over time. And now we trade with big retailers without feeling small.
You're married to a Frenchman and a mum of two. How do you juggle motherhood and entrepreneurship, and has becoming a mother changed the way you define success or approach your work?
Building a business in Cambodia and then growing it in Hong Kong must have come with very different challenges. What have been the biggest turning points in Candle Up's journey, and what is one lesson about entrepreneurship you had to learn the hard way?
The biggest turning point for us was when we started getting noticed by big brands such as The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Debenhams (UK), KrisShop (Singapore Airlines), Cathay and The Upper House.
I knew I was onto something that had massive potential to become something bigger, and I started gradually building it, brick by brick.
The one lesson I learnt, which was so important in getting the brand to where it is today, was to say NO.
Especially during COVID, the brand started getting noticed by many popular retailers and chains. It was very tempting to get swayed by the brand positioning, but I had to decline because working with them would have meant compromising on the quality of the candles to meet the required cost-cutting measures.
Saying no in the beginning helped make a statement in the market: handmade craft cannot be traded at factory-made prices.
We earned that respect and standing over time. And now we trade with big retailers without feeling small.
You're married to a Frenchman and a mum of two. How do you juggle motherhood and entrepreneurship, and has becoming a mother changed the way you define success or approach your work?
I am learning to live in the moment. When I am with the kids, I enjoy it, and when I'm working, I enjoy it.
I have big aspirations for Candle Up and try to maximise my productivity with whatever time I manage to carve out. One has to wear multiple hats in a day when running a business, but I learn something new every day, and that's the beauty of it all.
You started Candle Up in Phnom Penh, but Hong Kong is now home. What has living here taught you, both personally and professionally? And how does the city's pace of life influence the way you run your business?
Hong Kong really spoils you as an entrepreneur because everything runs so smoothly here. Business administration tasks are so straightforward, and you really enjoy and reap the benefits as an SME.
I have actually unlearnt a lot of things here. Coming from New Delhi, I've unlearnt the need to always keep my guard up, whether that's when walking home late at night or trusting people to do the right thing on their side.
I love that people are very righteous here, and you never second-guess whether someone will abide by the rules or agreements in place in the business space. That eases your mental load and makes it much easier to scale your business faster.
Personally, I love how it's such a blue zone for me, as on any given day I would easily walk a minimum of 7,000–8,000 steps.
This city has everything you need to be happy: mountains, beaches, convenience, safety, good schools, healthcare… the list goes on.
Candle Up has grown from a small, practical idea into a brand with its own collections, refill services and candle-making workshops. What are you most proud of today, and what would you love to achieve with the brand over the next few years?
I have big aspirations for Candle Up and try to maximise my productivity with whatever time I manage to carve out. One has to wear multiple hats in a day when running a business, but I learn something new every day, and that's the beauty of it all.
You started Candle Up in Phnom Penh, but Hong Kong is now home. What has living here taught you, both personally and professionally? And how does the city's pace of life influence the way you run your business?
Hong Kong really spoils you as an entrepreneur because everything runs so smoothly here. Business administration tasks are so straightforward, and you really enjoy and reap the benefits as an SME.
I have actually unlearnt a lot of things here. Coming from New Delhi, I've unlearnt the need to always keep my guard up, whether that's when walking home late at night or trusting people to do the right thing on their side.
I love that people are very righteous here, and you never second-guess whether someone will abide by the rules or agreements in place in the business space. That eases your mental load and makes it much easier to scale your business faster.
Personally, I love how it's such a blue zone for me, as on any given day I would easily walk a minimum of 7,000–8,000 steps.
This city has everything you need to be happy: mountains, beaches, convenience, safety, good schools, healthcare… the list goes on.
Candle Up has grown from a small, practical idea into a brand with its own collections, refill services and candle-making workshops. What are you most proud of today, and what would you love to achieve with the brand over the next few years?
What I am most proud of today is my creation. Every time I set up my booth, especially at Boutiques Fair Singapore, I am always in awe of what I've created. I'm one of my greatest critics, and if I can wow myself, then that makes me very proud.
What I would love to achieve over the next few years is to bring Candle Up to more overseas markets, such as the United States, Australia and Dubai, and establish a physical presence in bigger overseas stores.
The seeds are sown. Let's see what happens in the coming few months!
Finally, on a more personal note, what does a perfect day off in Hong Kong look like for you and your family? And what are the places you particularly love visiting in the city?
My family and I absolutely love it since we moved to Clear Water Bay last year. We all love the sea. Almost every other weekend, we end up at a little, quiet rocky beach in Lobster Bay, where you see almost no one, and we go snorkelling. It's amazing what species you can see within the first two feet as you dip into the water.
My kids are happiest catching and releasing crabs or fishing. We love family walks around the beach and Clear Water Bay Country Park.
My daughter and I also sneak out for crabs at the seafood restaurants in Po Toi, and typhoon shelter crab is our absolute favourite there!
What I would love to achieve over the next few years is to bring Candle Up to more overseas markets, such as the United States, Australia and Dubai, and establish a physical presence in bigger overseas stores.
The seeds are sown. Let's see what happens in the coming few months!
Finally, on a more personal note, what does a perfect day off in Hong Kong look like for you and your family? And what are the places you particularly love visiting in the city?
My family and I absolutely love it since we moved to Clear Water Bay last year. We all love the sea. Almost every other weekend, we end up at a little, quiet rocky beach in Lobster Bay, where you see almost no one, and we go snorkelling. It's amazing what species you can see within the first two feet as you dip into the water.
My kids are happiest catching and releasing crabs or fishing. We love family walks around the beach and Clear Water Bay Country Park.
My daughter and I also sneak out for crabs at the seafood restaurants in Po Toi, and typhoon shelter crab is our absolute favourite there!
