At age 20, Mapusa-based student Saisha Bandekar is turning a simple craft into thoughtful business through her candle brand Serene Vaat Co
AAKANSHA CHARI
Saisha Bandekar has always been drawn to art. She enjoyed painting and engaging in creative activities during her childhood. Along with this artistic interest, she also had a deep love for pleasant aromas and perfumes. Wanting to combine creativity with fragrance, she discovered the world of scented designer candles, which fascinated and inspired her to start experimenting with candle making.
She began crafting candles at the age of 19 while balancing her second year college studies. “While I learned the basics through an introductory online course, I perfected my unique candle design on my own. It took a lot of trial, errors and failed attempts, but eventually I mastered how to get the exact colours, flawless finish and scent that capture the real experience perfectly,” she says, adding that she chose to work with soy wax because it is environmentally friendly. “I want my products to be sustainable and not harmful to nature,” she says.
What began as a hobby quickly sparked a lifelong passion and today, her brand name reflects the core philosophy behind her creations.
“The name ‘Serene’ came from the feeling I experienced while watching a candle flame. Even if there is a breeze around it, the flame continues to burn calmly,” she explains. For her, it symbolises life; that even during storms and distractions, one must keep moving forward with calm determination.
‘Vaat’ meanwhile carries a deeper meaning. “In Konkani, it refers to the wick of a candle and it also means a path or direction. When combined, the words represent the idea of a Serene Vaat- a peaceful journey,” she explains. Bandekar believes that when a candle is lit, its calming flame and fragrance can take a person on a peaceful, relaxing journey away from stress.
Her candles are designed not only for lighting but also scented to match the particular type of product they represent.
“The goal is for the scent to act as a ‘reset button’, turning any room into a peaceful, intentional sanctuary.” she says. The brand’s most popular scents are classic vanilla, soothing lavender, rich saffron, and refreshing citrus.
“I treat every pour like a precise science experiment and let the candle rest for two weeks, so the scent fully binds,” she explains
Last Diwali season, she created special sweet-inspired candles which became the main highlight of her brand. “People loved the idea of ‘mithai’ candles which looks exactly like candles but don’t add any calories,” she laughs.
But her business has not been without challenges. With little prior experience in entrepreneurship, Bandekar had to learn everything from scratch- from production to marketing.
Despite this, she showcased her work at Lokutsav, where visitors appreciated her creativity and craftsmanship. She has also displayed her products at stalls in her college.
For other young entrepreneurs, she advises, “Don’t wait for perfection to launch. Start small, lean into your unique perspective, and build a community around your authenticity,”
Looking ahead, Bandekar hopes to grow Serene Vaat Co. into a recognised brand while continuing to innovate with new candle designs and fragrances.
Her goal is not just fame but letting her work speak for itself- spreading calmness, creativity and warmth through every candle she creates. She also believes in giving back to the community and a portion of the profits from her brand goes towards the welfare of all street animals.
