“Growing up during Sri Lanka’s civil war, my childhood was anything but ordinary. At just three years old, my family and I faced constant uncertainty—gunfire and fear were part of everyday life. At 14, we moved to a safer part of the country, and by 18, our family was finally reunited. This marked the start of a new journey that took me from Sri Lanka to Russia to study medicine, then to the UK, and eventually, to Australia.

Australia became my home in 2006. It was here that I met my wife, Suji Sanjeevan, who later moved from England to join me. As newly arrived migrants, the challenges were immense—balancing medical exams, a new job in allergy and immunology, and raising a young family demanded perseverance. Mornings were spent driving our little one to daycare before heading to long hospital shifts, and late nights with no extended family support, we knew something had to change.

In 2015, with our second child on the way, Suji decided to start a small side project—a candle-making hobby with just $237. Little did we know, this modest venture would soon transform into Light & Glo Fragrances & BrandScent, a successful business. By 2016, we moved from our kitchen to a warehouse, and eventually expanded into three warehouses, winning multiple manufacturing awards along the way.

One of the most unforgettable moments in our journey was being featured on Shark Tank Australia. Out of thousands of applicants, we were selected to be filmed, and the exposure from the show gave our business the boost it needed to reach the next level. The incredible support we received truly transformed our path and helped us grow in ways we never imagined.

As doctors turned scent creators,we decided to merge the worlds of medicine and business in an entirely new way. With our background in healthcare, they’re exploring how scent can do more than just smell good—it can heal. By bringing science into fragrance, they’re tapping into scent’s potential to reduce anxiety, improve mental well-being, and even aid in therapeutic settings. This unique collision of medicine and business is where we are headed – showing that scent can be a powerful tool for both connection and care.

Australia’s supportive community has been key to our journey. From the help of local councils to the kindness of neighbours, we found the encouragement needed to grow our small idea into a global business. Every morning, I’m grateful for the peace and opportunity this country has given us. It allowed us to start fresh, and I’m thankful every day for the new life we’ve built here.” Jeeva Sanjeevan