This week, Emirates Woman speaks to Ikra, the founder of Glow Republic, a homegrown female-led candle brand that’s made with love.
Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
This woman-led hand-poured soy candles brand focuses on creating seasonal scents with a. personal touch. From Peppermint Mocha designs, iced-matcha candles, vanilla candles and more, to add that bespoke element for any gifting.
Not only this but every candle comes with a QR code linking to one of three guided meditations – Do Time (for mornings), Down Time (a pause between meetings), and Dream Time (to unwind before sleep). Calm in a jar, with a digital twist, and listicle-ready for gifting edits everywhere.
To delve into her journey as a homegrown entrepreneur, we sat down with her to see how it all began.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Psychology always fascinated me because it offers a deeper understanding of how people think, feel, and connect. I went on to pursue my master’s in psychology, and it has shaped how I approach everything from brand storytelling to customer experience. I’ve always believed that great design and great business both begin with empathy. When you understand people, you can create products that truly resonate with them.
What was your first job?
My very first job was as a teacher at a small school across from my home. It taught me patience, creativity, and the art of nurturing qualities that unexpectedly mirror entrepreneurship. Building a brand is a lot like teaching: you guide, experiment, and celebrate small wins every day.
What brought you to Dubai?
I grew up in Dubai and I’ve always considered it home. The UAE has this unique energy. It’s a place where ambition is celebrated, and dreams feel achievable. As I got older, I realised that this city doesn’t just inspire ideas it gives you the tools and opportunities to bring them to life.
What inspired you to enter this space and launch your brand?
I’ve always loved working with my hands creating something I can touch, shape, and take pride in. There’s a special joy in seeing a raw idea transform into something tangible and beautiful. I wanted to build a brand that felt personal yet playful something that didn’t take itself too seriously yet still stood for quality and craftsmanship. After a lot of research and experimentation, I discovered candle-making was the perfect balance. It allowed me to blend creativity with mindfulness mixing fragrances, textures, and design elements while crafting something that genuinely uplifts a space. Candles don’t expire, they’re safe when made with natural waxes, and they connect across all ages and cultures. That universality really spoke to me.
Talk us through the concept.
Candles have been part of our homes for generations, yet they rarely evolved in creativity or purpose. I wanted to change that by creating candles that not only look beautiful but feel meaningful. Glow Republic is built on the idea of turning something ordinary into an experience one that blends art, sustainability, and mindfulness. While most candles are made with paraffin, I chose to work with luxury coco and soy wax blends, hand-poured with non-toxic colours and carefully selected fragrances. Our reusable jars and refill initiative are a step towards eliminating landfill waste because sustainability should feel beautiful, not complicated. A concept I’m particularly proud of is our Meditation Candle Collection. In some collaborations each candle carries a discreet QR code on the back that links to a private YouTube channel with three guided sessions Do Time, Dream Time, and Down Time. It’s our way of encouraging people to pause, breathe, and find calm in the middle of their busy day. Every Glow Republic candle is designed to ignite more than a scent it’s about igniting moments of presence, peace, and pure creativity.
What are the key elements of your role?
Every candle starts as a feeling. My job is to turn that feeling into form. I sketch ideas, mix waxes, test colours, and play with fragrances until they capture a mood, I want people to experience calm, joy, nostalgia, or confidence. It’s a very hands-on process; I’m happiest when I’m surrounded by jars, pouring wax, and seeing something come to life with my own hands. But the role goes far beyond creating pretty candles. I’m constantly asking: How can this be more meaningful? That’s how the Meditation Candle Collection was born each candle has a hidden QR code that leads to short, guided meditations, helping people slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves. Then there’s the sustainability side. I personally oversee our refill and reuse programme, because I don’t want beauty to come at the cost ofthe planet. From scent development to packaging and partnerships, I make sure every decision aligns with creativity, mindfulness, and responsibility. In short, I wear many hats: creator, curator, and storyteller. However, at the heart of it all, I’m just someone who believes that even the smallest object like a candle can hold a bit of soul.
Talk us through your daily routine.
I start my day early. The first thing I do is make sure my home feels calm and organised I truly believe the space around you sets the tone for your day. A tidy home makes me feel centred, focused, and ready to create. Then comes my quiet ritual a cup of tea or coffee and a few pages of a good book before diving into work. I check emails, review orders, and plan the day ahead. I personally manage production, making sure every candle is poured, labelled, and packed perfectly, and that nothing runs short on materials. Midday usually turns into a cooking session I love preparing homemade meals for my husband, it’s my way of showing care and balance amidst all the business noise. We often sit together to discuss ideas and plans for the day, and in the evenings, we unwind with something simple sometimes a bicycle ride, sometimes just lighting one of my own candles and letting the house smell like peace.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
Don’t overthink just start. I’m a big believer in doing rather than waiting for the perfect time or idea. Manifest what you want, work hard for it, and trust the process. There will always be voices that doubt you, but stay focused and grounded in your own vision. Do your research, start small, test what works, and then grow from there. You don’t need to invest big to start big you just need consistency, courage, and a little bit of faith.
Tell us more about the pieces and services.
At Glow Republic, every collection is created with purpose and personality. Our signature line celebrates dessert-inspired scents Iced Matcha, Cinnamon Roll, Espresso and many more candles that instantly lift the space and spirit. We also design special collections for festivals and occasions, each made to complement moments of celebration from luxury gifting to bespoke décor. Our candle-making workshops are another heart of the brand, giving people the joy of creating something with their own hands whether it’s a private session, a group event, or a corporate experience. What makes us most proud is that Glow Republic is a female-founded brand, proudly made in Dubai, UAE. Every candle reflects our love for craftsmanship, creativity, and conscious living a little piece of happiness designed
to be shared.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received was: “What you focus on expands.” It sounds simple, but it’s deeply true. Energy flows where attention goes whether that’s your business, your mindset, or your peace. I’ve learned that success isn’t built overnight, it’s built in moments of focus, consistency, and belief. When you start paying attention to the things that matter creativity, kindness, purpose they begin to multiply around you. That, to me, is the real law of attraction.
And what is the worst?
The worst advice I’ve ever heard is that “you should play it safe.” People often say it to protect you, but in business, playing it safe usually means staying small. I’ve learned that growth begins where comfort ends. There will always be people who doubt your ideas or tell you that you’re taking too many risks especially when you’re building something unconventional. But I believe if your heart is in it and your intentions are clear, you’ll always find a way forward. Playing small never built anything extraordinary.
What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
The biggest challenge was simply starting. Taking that first step requires a mix of courage, belief, and self-motivation and without support, most people never get past the idea stage. There’s fear, overthinking, and all the voices telling you it might not work. I’m grateful that I had incredibly supportive friends and family who believed in my vision and encouraged me to move forward. Once I took that leap, everything else started to align and that first brave step became the foundation of everything that followed.
What lies ahead for the brand?
The future of Glow Republic is about growth not just for the brand, but for others who dream of creating something of their own. I want to guide and inspire people who wish to start their candle-making journey, so they don’t have to go through the same challenges I faced when I began. I learned everything from scratch, often with no one to turn to, and now I want to be that light for others, helping them turn their ideas into something real. We’re also working on creating a studio space in Dubai, a place where small workshops, creative collaborations, and mindful experiences can come together under one roof. Looking ahead, I see Glow Republic expanding across the GCC, bringing our philosophy of craftsmanship, creativity, and calm to more homes and hearts.
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