When was this published?

This article was first published on August 23, 2026 by KXAN-NBC and curated for The Austin readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Abigail Jones at KXAN-NBC.

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Austin woman quit tech to make non-toxic candles; They're hitting H-E-B shelves soon

Summary by The Austin Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Abigail Jones, KXAN-NBC · August 23, 2026 · 1 min read

H-E-B's slogan "here, everything's better" rings true for Akriti Marwaha, who quit her full-time job as a software engineer to dedicate more time to her side hustle of making non-toxic, handmade candles. It's paying off because her products are about to hit the shelves of Texas' most beloved groc...

Why this matters in The Austin

The success of Akriti Marwaha's non-toxic candle business is a testament to the thriving entrepreneurial spirit in Austin. As her products prepare to launch in H-E-B stores, locals can expect to see more homegrown goods on shelves, supporting the city's economy and promoting a culture of sustainability. This development also highlights the growing demand for eco-friendly products in the Austin market, where consumers are increasingly seeking out alternatives to traditional household items. With H-E-B's commitment to showcasing local vendors, Marwaha's candles will likely appeal to the city's health-conscious and environmentally aware residents, who value the opportunity to shop for unique, handmade products while staying true to their values. As Austin continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how other local artisans and small business owners follow in Marwaha's footsteps, bringing innovative and sustainable products to the forefront of the city's retail scene.

About this story

Original reporting by KXAN-NBC. The Austin selects stories from publishers’ feeds, summarises them, and links back to the publisher that reported them. We add no reporting of our own. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KXAN-NBC. Have a tip or correction? Contact the editor.

Category: Local · Published: August 23, 2026 · Source: KXAN-NBC · Reading time: 1 min

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