In Jaipur, siblings Unnati and Udit Khandelwal transformed messy candle-making experiments in their family kitchen into GiftwithTwist, a flourishing gifting business. What began in June 2023 as a weekend hobby with little experience and a modest initial investment soon turned into a successful personalised candle brand, fulfilling orders for customers across India and even Dubai.
- Started candle-making as a creative weekend activity in June 2023
- First major order of 200 candles for a Diwali corporate gift
- Now serves customers across India and fulfilled an order for Dubai
What happened
During weekends, siblings Unnati, 24, and Udit, 20, would convert their Jaipur family kitchen into a candle-making workshop. Encouraged by their parents to explore a creative pursuit, they began experimenting with melting wax, fragrances, and colourful moulds despite having no prior experience. Early days were marked by spills, broken jars, and damaged kitchenware, but these trials laid the foundation for their budding business.
Their initial investment of roughly Rs 5,000 covered supplies purchased online and locally. Lessons came from YouTube tutorials, a short workshop, and a lot of trial and error. Starting with simple jar candles, they steadily improved their craft. The breakthrough came with a corporate Diwali order of about 200 candles, which confirmed that their hobby could become a profitable side hustle.
Why it feels good
The siblings cherish how their side hustle grew organically from a shared weekend passion into a promising enterprise without giving up individual goals—Unnati’s digital marketing career and Udit’s college studies. This balance has allowed them to learn not just candle-making, but also business management, customer relations, and teamwork.
Candles, with their endless variations in shape, scent and design, offered a creative outlet perfectly suited for personalised gifting. The ability to craft something unique for every occasion has been especially satisfying. Their success story resonates as a reminder that small beginnings and family support can lead to fulfilling ventures.
What to enjoy or watch next
GiftwithTwist has quickly expanded from local customers to national reach and even international bulk orders, including about 500 customised candles sent to Dubai. As their reputation grows, the siblings plan to continue developing new designs and inspiration for festive and corporate gifting.
Their journey offers inspiration for anyone looking to turn a creative hobby into a meaningful business. Watching how Unnati and Udit skillfully juggle entrepreneurial drive with personal commitments serves as a warm reminder of what’s possible when creativity, persistence, and family come together.