Wick-edly Australian Made: Inside LIGHT + GLO, where science meets scent

Founded in 2015, LIGHT + GLO is the heartbeat of husband-and-wife duo Suji and Jeeva’s entrepreneurial dreams. This award-winning boutique brand has built a reputable and unwavering presence in luxury home fragrances – all handcrafted in Melbourne.

Ahead of Australian Made Week 2026, hear from Suji, Co-Founder and CEO, as she reflects on the remarkable journey of LIGHT + GLO.

Where science meets scent, a story told through aromatherapy

It’s not often you see a couple of doctors make a bold leap from medicine to fragrance, let alone an entrepreneurial endeavor so successful it propels the duo all the way to Shark Tank Australia.

It was in 2015 when an epiphany struck Suji and Jeeva – with their backgrounds in clinical research and respiratory medicine, they could bring a scientific lens to the art of fragrance. They could create scents to heal and transform daily moments.

And so, they founded LIGHT + GLO Designs, initially a creative outlet, but soon a premium candle brand known for its handcrafted wood-wick soy candles and unique scents.

“LIGHT + GLO began with a simple intention, to create candles that felt considered, not mass produced,” Suji says.

Grounded in aromatherapy science, each fragrance is carefully crafted to relax, refresh, and reignite senses.

Building on the success of LIGHT + GLO, Suji and Jeeva launched BrandScent in 2019, a scent marketing agency specialising in creating signature fragrances that help brands forge deeper emotional connections with their audiences.

In 2023, the pair entered the Shark Tank Australia stage with BrandScent, sharing their vision of a world where brands don’t just look impressive, but leave a lasting sensory impression. Their blend of scientific thinking and storytelling resonated with the Sharks, securing a milestone partnership with Robert Herjavec.

This moment became a defining step forward, elevating BrandScent to a national audience and unlocking new possibilities across a wide range of industries.

Australian Made, anchored in integrity 

Although the business has seen substantial growth over the years, Suji says the foundation has remained unchanged, stating strongly that growth has not meant dilution, but required more discipline. 

“Every product is still approached through a scientific and sensory lens, where formulation is deliberate and ingredients are consciously sourced,” Suji says.

“As we have expanded into new categories and markets, we have held tightly to the belief that scent is not just product; it is experience, memory and emotion, crafted with intention.”

To uphold this commitment, LIGHT + GLO joined Australian Made in 2018.

To Suji, being Australian Made “means proximity to our process, visibility over our ingredients, and the ability to uphold clinical and safety standards we are proud to stand behind.”

“It allows us to be hands on, to refine, to question, and to improve continuously.

“It ensures that what we put into the market reflects not only quality, but accountability.”

The scent of local craftsmanship, and cons of offshore manufacturing

Joining Australian Made has shaped both opportunities and challenges for the business.

“Producing locally comes with higher costs, tighter margins and operational pressures that offshore manufacturing often avoids,” Suji says.

However, it is this very thing that has become one of the business’s strongest differentiators.

In many ways, Suji says, being Australian Made has inspired the business to be sharper, more considered when making decisions, and clearer in their brand positioning.

“It builds trust with customers who are increasingly conscious of what they buy and where it comes from.”

And trust, among other values, is at the core of practicing medicine.

“As doctors, our starting point is always safety and integrity,” Suji and Jeeva say.

“We want to know exactly what goes into every perfume and candle, with certifications like IFRA [The International Fragrance Association] and Sedex [Supplier Ethical Data Exchange] not treated as optional, but essential.”

With local production allowing the duo access to oversee every detail from formulation through to the final product, they remain confident that safety standards are upheld without compromise.

For LIGHT + GLO, offshore manufacturing could offer scale and cost advantages, but simultaneously would make production visibility hazy – which goes against the duo’s mission.

“For us, the way something is made is inseparable from what it becomes. Remaining local is not always the easiest path, but it is the one that protects both the product and the person using it,” Suji says.

Government support needed to keep the flame shining bright

Suji and Jeeva believe that support for Australian Made businesses needs to move beyond sentiment and into structural change to yield real outcomes.

This effort is required from both government and corporate Australia, who they believe have a real opportunity to prioritise local manufacturing through procurement – not just policy language.

“It is not enough to favour Australian registered businesses if production sits offshore. The focus must shift to genuinely Australian made products, where manufacturing, sourcing and value creation happen here,” Suji says.

That, she says, is how capability is retained, and industries endure.

“Often, we assume offshore means better value, yet we are paying a premium for scale, logistics and brand, not necessarily quality.

“When you look closely, Australian made products are far more competitive than they are given credit for,” Suji says.

On how the business community can help, Suji calls for more intentional collaboration and choosing local suppliers even when it is not the easiest option.

She encourages consumers to also play their part where possible and recognise that price reflects process.

“Real support is not loud, it is embedded in everyday decisions.”

Australian Made, Victorian Led: Spotlight on Manufacturing

Be part of an exclusive celebration of Australian Made Week 2026 and spotlight on the future of Australian manufacturing, featuring official ambassador, the iconic Andy Lee.

Delivered in partnership with Australian Made, guests will hear from Andy Lee; Colin Brooks MP, Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing and Creative Industries; Ben Lazzaro, Chief Executive of Australian Made; and leading voices from Victoria’s manufacturing sector.

Join us on 21 May 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

View more information and book today.