Jaipur siblings turn a Rs 5,000 candle hobby into a thoughtful gifting venture

In many Indian homes, Raksha Bandhan is marked by familiar rituals: a rakhi tied with love, a quick family photo, and a gift that carries meaning. In Jaipur, siblings Unnati and Udit Khandelwal have found a way to add a warm, personalised touch to these moments—by turning a simple candle-making hobby into a growing gifting venture.

What started as weekend experiments in the family kitchen has today become **GiftwithTwist**, a personalised gifting brand that caters to customers across India. The journey began modestly, with an initial spend of a few thousand rupees, a **Rs 500 candle-making workshop**, and plenty of learning through online videos.

A kitchen hobby that took shape in 2023 The story goes back to **June 2023**, when the siblings decided to try something creative after encouragement from their parents. Neither had prior experience in candle-making. Unnati, 24, was building her career in **digital marketing**, while Udit, 20, was still **in college**.

Early trials were far from perfect. Wax spills, broken jars, and ruined kitchen tools were part of the process. Udit has recalled, with a laugh, that they “messed up” several of their mother’s utensils. On one occasion, hot wax even landed on the family’s freshly whitewashed floor.

Yet, the messy beginnings did something important: they made the siblings comfortable with trial-and-error. By experimenting with fragrances, measuring wax, and working with colourful moulds, they gradually learnt what worked—and what didn’t.

From first orders to GiftwithTwist The shift from hobby to business happened organically. As their skills improved, their candles began to look more refined and gift-ready. The idea evolved into **GiftwithTwist**, focused on personalised gifting—an approach that fits well with Indian festivals, birthdays, anniversaries and corporate occasions where a name, message or customised design can make a product feel special.

According to the account shared in the source report, the venture now serves customers **across India**. The siblings have also fulfilled a **bulk order of around 500 customised candles for Dubai**, signalling that their made-in-India creativity can travel well beyond local markets.

A notable aspect of their journey is that the venture has remained a **side hustle**. Unnati and Udit have continued with their respective career and education paths while building the brand. For many young Indians exploring entrepreneurship, this is an encouraging model: starting small, validating demand, and growing steadily without immediately taking high-risk leaps.

Learning together: money, customers, and teamwork Beyond sales, GiftwithTwist has become a hands-on learning ground. The siblings have spoken about picking up practical skills—managing money, handling customer expectations, and understanding what people look for when buying gifts.

Just as importantly, they have learnt to work as a team. Any family-run venture brings its own challenges: sharing responsibilities, aligning on quality, and making decisions together. But it also offers a unique advantage—trust and a shared sense of purpose.

As Raksha Bandhan arrives, their story feels especially fitting. A festival centred on siblings has, in this case, also become the inspiration for a shared entrepreneurial path—built on creativity, patience, and the willingness to learn from small setbacks.

**Why it matters:** Stories like this highlight how low-cost experimentation, family support and consistent effort can help young Indians turn hobbies into sustainable micro-businesses—creating new opportunities without losing sight of education and careers.