Believe in the power of community. On some days when you feel big goals are impossible, or when you feel like giving up, you need to lean on your like-minded community. You can even “borrow” motivation, and in turn “return” with your own inspiring stories to pay it forward.
In this special column called the “TLC x Fempreneurs Series”, we will be featuring inspiring Female Entrepreneurs (Fempreneurs) in short. You will be able to have a sneak peek at their mindsets and their daily habits.
Meet Julie Yim
In the new series of Asia Fempreneur feature, meet Julie Yim, the co-founder of Lilin+Co, who is based in Malaysia. The soy candle brand has been featured in Malaysian publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Glam, Home & Decor, Malaysia Tatler, Cleo, Vulcan Post, Malay Mail, Cosmopolitan, Fixtures.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi I’m Julie and I am the co-founder of Lilin+Co. We are a minimalist soy candle brand founded in 2016 and our 100% premium soy wax candles are carefully hand-poured in small batches in our studio in sunny Kuala Lumpur. We believe in the art of quality and our love for storytelling with each curated scent is specially created for those who appreciate the hand made.
What got you started on your business?
In 2015, I attended my cousin’s wedding in Melbourne and was gifted a tealight soy candle as a wedding favour. Intrigued by the superior scent and eco-friendly nature of the soy candle, I started researching more and found that there was a gap in the local market for quality, affordable candles that won’t break the bank.
Before you started on your business, what did you do on a full time basis?
I have been in the media publishing industry for 9 years and am still holding a position as an editor at a luxury lifestyle magazine
What were some difficulties you faced in your life and how did you overcome them?
The e-commerce world is a fast-paced world and it never sleeps! I’ve learned to balance between rest and work, you don’t always need to reply a customer’s message at 11pm, leave the response to the next morning and you’ll see an improvement in your overall wellbeing.
What is your vision / personal motto?
Perseverance is key and if all else fails, start fresh the next day
Who inspires you?
People around me constantly inspire me. Their personal stories of success and struggles are all inspiring.
Do you have any word of advice for other ladies who are starting their business / starting to pursue their dream?
The first few years are always going to be the toughest years. Anyone can start a business but to sustain it in the long run takes courage, sacrifice and perseverance. Be prepared to make sacrifices in all aspects of your life.
How do you think you can help ladies to feel confident and empowered?
Through Lilin+Co, I engage and connect with different people from all walks of life. It’s heartwarming to read messages of kindness and affection when our customers gift our candles to their loved ones and friends. During the recent pandemic lockdown, we’ve had plenty of female customers who reached out to their friends to remind them that they are not alone with hopes that our candle will light up their day.
What excites you most about your industry?
The freedom to explore creative collaborations with like-minded individuals and businesses while giving back to society
What have you learnt recently that you hope the other ladies can take back?
Always do your research before starting a business. Is there sufficient demand for your product or service? Who are your competitors? Pricing is also an important factor that can make or break your business model
What do you do in your free time as self care? How do you unwind?
I unwind with music, Netflix or a good book
What is one thing you are grateful for?
I am grateful to have such a supportive partner and to live each day as a new adventure
Let us know more about what you do!
An appreciation for simplicity, design and function resonates within our eco-friendly and affordable candles, created using the finest quality ingredients and packaged in aesthetically beautiful packaging.
We hope our soy candles will be a great addition to your home décor, bring warmth to any atmosphere and light up your day.
Connect with Lilin+Co!
Website: www.lilinandco.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilinandco
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lilinandco
Are you a Fempreneur too?
Connect with us – we’d love to feature you! Say hi to us at [email protected] or reach out to us via our social media.
Read TLC x Fempreneur Series:
- Anna Lim, Limmy’s
- Connie Go, Gosford Leather
- Jane Blanloeil, Puttot
- Marine Lim, Absolute PR
- Rina Lee, Rina Lee Jewellery
- Ezza Yusof, 2morrow Official (Malaysia)
The rest of the Fempreneur interviews can be found here.