Krish is the co-founder of Lunaire and a passionate advocate for mindful, purpose-driven living. At 26, she has taken a leap of faith to build a life that aligns with her values—one rooted in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and personal freedom.
Born in India and migrating to Australia at the age of five, Krish spent years following the expected path: excelling academically, securing a corporate career, and ticking all the right boxes. But deep down, she knew there was something more. In the last year, she’s embraced her true calling—building a business that makes a real impact while inspiring others to follow their own dreams.
Krish is also on a journey towards self-sufficiency. Having recently moved to the Blue Mountains, Krish and her partner have purchased an acreage property where they are growing their own fruits and vegetables and raising chickens. Their ultimate goal? To live in harmony with the land, reducing their footprint and creating a slower, more intentional life.
Through Lunaire, Krish is revolutionising the way we experience candles. Traditional candles create billions wasteful single-use jars every year, and Krish couldn’t bear to be part of that.
So, she created the Forever Jar, the world’s first zero-waste, lifetime-guaranteed candle, designed to be refilled instead of replaced. Every aspect of Lunaire—from the sustainable packaging to the clean-burning natural wax—is carefully designed to be as kind to the planet as it is luxurious.
More than just a candle brand, Lunaire is a movement towards conscious consumerism, and Krish is leading the way.
What was it that compelled you to start Lunaire?
I’ve always loved candles. Aromatherapy was something I leaned on heavily, especially after my open-heart surgery. But as much as I enjoyed the ritual of lighting a candle, I couldn’t ignore the sheer amount of waste they created.
Every single time I finished a candle, I was left with another empty jar. And I wasn’t alone— over 35 million candle jars end up in landfill every single year. The more I thought about it, the more it weighed on me. I tried repurposing them, but how many jars can one person realistically keep? I knew I couldn’t be part of the problem anymore.
At first, we explored the idea of a reusable candle, but we realised that wasn’t enough. People didn’t just need a reusable jar—they needed a candle that eliminated waste altogether. That’s when the idea of the Forever Jar was born. A zero-waste, endlessly refillable candle that you only buy once and keep forever.
The journey to bring it to life wasn’t easy. It took over two years of research, development, and testing to create the product we have today. We had to rethink everything—from the materials we used to the ingredients in our wax to the packaging that gets it to our customers.
But through every challenge, I kept coming back to the reason I started: to change an industry that desperately needed innovation. Seeing Lunaire out in the world now, knowing we’ve created something that not only reduces waste but also makes luxury more thoughtful, is the most rewarding part of it all.
You had a full-time corporate career in IT as a business analyst whilst you were building Lunaire. How was it like balancing the two?
It was a lot—late nights, early mornings, and weekends that were spent working on Lunaire instead of leisure. But here’s the thing: when you’re building something you’re deeply passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like purpose.
There were times when I’d sleep past midnight, answering customer emails on my lunch break, or packing orders as soon as I got home. And yet, I never felt drained by Lunaire—it energised me. Every sale, every positive review, every small win reminded me why I was doing this.
Of course, there were moments of overwhelm. Trying to juggle a corporate job while establishing a business is no small feat. But I also knew that I was building something for my future—something that gave me creative freedom and aligned with my values. So when the time came to take the leap and go full-time with Lunaire, it wasn’t just a risk. It was a choice to fully commit to what I knew I was meant to do.
What are some of the defining moments in your business?
There have been so many moments that have shaped Lunaire’s journey, and I’m endlessly grateful for all of them.
One of the biggest turning points was when we introduced the option to engrave the Forever Jars. Initially, Lunaire was just about sustainability, but when we added personalisation, everything changed. Suddenly, our candles weren’t just a product—they became deeply personal gifts, something people could give with meaning. It was a small shift that had a massive impact, and it made me realise that sustainability and luxury could go hand in hand.
Another defining moment was leaving my corporate job to run Lunaire full-time. It was terrifying but it just felt right. There was no guaranteed income, no safety net—just faith in what I was building. But that leap of faith is paying off.
I have gained so many new skills and connections that my corporate career would have never allowed me to do. It forced me to fully invest in Lunaire, to push past fear and trust that I could make this work. The past 11 months have been nothing but enriching and rewarding in so many ways.
And most recently, being named a finalist for the Australian Small Business Champion Awards was surreal. It wasn’t just about the recognition; it was a moment to step back and reflect on how far Lunaire has come. When you’re in the thick of it, always pushing forward, you rarely stop to appreciate the progress. But moments like these remind me to be proud of what we’ve built and excited for what’s to come.
I never take any of it for granted. Every milestone, every challenge, every lesson—it’s all part of the journey, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
What advice would you impart to Black and Brown women who are thinking of starting their business but are unsure of where to start?
As a person of colour, imposter syndrome can feel very real. But don’t let that stop you from even trying.
Find a community that supports you. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, even when you doubt yourself. Having the right network is invaluable—not just for encouragement, but for guidance, knowledge, and idea-sharing.
So much of business isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about learning from those who have done it before. Leverage those resources, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to seek advice. The more you can streamline the process and avoid common pitfalls, the more time you’ll have to focus on the part of the business that truly brings you joy. Otherwise, it can quickly become overwhelming—especially if you’re a sole founder juggling everything alone. Having the right people around you makes all the difference.
And don’t wait for the perfect timing, because it may never come. The best time to start is now!
If you could turn back time, what would you say to your younger self?
Be brave.
Everyone’s definition of success is different, and you don’t have to follow someone else’s path. You don’t have to chase what looks good on paper or what society tells you is the ‘right’ thing to do. The life you want? It’s possible. But you have to trust yourself enough to go after it.
There will be moments of doubt, moments where fear creeps in and tells you to play it safe. Ignore it. Take the risks. Bet on yourself. You are far more capable than you realise, and every failure, every setback, will only make you stronger.
Your future isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you create. So go out there and build it.
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