✨ Meet Zavi Harman, founder of ZAVI in Richmond, Virginia
ZAVI is a one-person candle brand with a distinct point of view. Moodier, darker, and more elevated than your typical candle line. Zavi creates with intention, blending a sense of ritual into each product while keeping things approachable (and even a little humorous). That balance shows up everywhere, from his aesthetic to the playful handle behind the brand:
@zavismells .
“I wanted something that didn’t feel generic… something more elevated and a bit more ritual in feel.”
What started as a simple experiment during the pandemic quickly turned into something more. Living in a small space with his cat Shimmy and puppy Howdy, Zavi began making candles as holiday gifts, and to keep his home smelling fresh. What followed was unexpected: people loved them.
Weeks turned into months, and what began as a creative outlet slowly evolved into a business. Today, Zavi runs everything himself while also working full-time in advertising, building his brand piece by piece, in the margins of his day.
His original three scents: Sun Drips, Summer Snow, and Loveless, were refined over a year of testing and became the foundation of his line. Since then, he’s expanded his collection and is currently in the middle of an exciting rebrand, with new sizes, 3-wick candles, and travel tins set to launch this summer.
Why we admire ZAVI:
Zavi’s story is a reminder that great brands aren’t rushed. They’re built through experimentation, persistence, and a clear creative vision. He’s crafting something that feels both deeply personal and thoughtfully designed, one pour at a time.
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@zavismells 🖤
