S3, E5 | From Passion to Business: How Lilin+Co Became Malaysia’s Candle Brand of Choice

Julie Yim and Marcus Khoo, the dynamic duo behind Lilin+Co, have transformed a simple passion into Malaysia's leading artisanal candle brand. Their journey began in 2015 when Julie attended a wedding in Melbourne and received a soy candle as a favor. Inspired by its eco-friendly nature and superior scent, she envisioned introducing similar products to the Malaysian market .   In 2016, after extensive research and development, Julie and Marcus launched Lilin+Co. They identified a gap in the market for affordable yet high-quality soy candles and set out to fill it. Initially balancing their day jobs, Julie in publishing and Marcus in a corporate role, they started by participating in weekend markets and establishing an online presence. Their commitment to quality and sustainability quickly garnered attention .   A pivotal moment came in 2019 when Marcus took a three-month sabbatical to test the waters of full-time entrepreneurship. To their surprise, the pandemic boosted sales, leading them to open their first showroom, Ol-Factory 1.0, in Petaling Jaya .   At Lilin+Co, sustainability is paramount. Their soy candles are eco-friendly and non-toxic, and their diffusers use a plant-based solvent that evaporates slower compared to alcohol-based diffusers, making them safe to use at home even around pets. The wicks are responsibly sourced from FSC-certified mills, and all online orders are packed using 100% paper materials .   Julie and Marcus's dedication to quality and sustainability has not only established Lilin+Co as a household name in Malaysia but also set a new standard in the artisanal candle industry.   Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin: https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/[email protected] 🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor