Meet Alyssa Foo

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alyssa Foo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alyssa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

The concept of authenticity holds a special place in my heart, as it’s always been a crucial aspect that I value deeply. It’s about living life with the strength and courage to pursue your dreams without any fear of failure or rejection by society. It takes major guts, but the rewards are immeasurable. As an Asian American Pacific Islander woman, it’s sometimes been difficult for me to find my voice. However, I’ve worked hard to cultivate that power and honestly, it’s made me a whole new person — in a good way! Growing up in Houston, it was impossible to find someone who looked like me. My mother is of Filipino, Native Hawaiian, and Portuguese descent, while my father is Chinese. (I’ve always felt like a human melting pot – and I absolutely love it!) They moved to Texas to provide a better life for themselves — away from their family, friends, and community. Witnessing them work so hard for that life, I think, is how I’ve been able to motivate myself to pursue my own goals and dreams. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to have supportive parents who encouraged me to pursue my passions with confidence.

As for my “purpose”, CREATIVITY has always been my lifeblood. It’s been a way to express myself and create tangible art that I can be proud of. That feeling of satisfaction that comes with creating something beautiful, but also functional, is something that I continually strive to find. It’s a sense of accomplishment that’s hard to replicate — that feeling that I can contribute to the world in a meaningful way; and the joy that comes with knowing that I’ve brought something unique and valuable into existence is truly unparalleled.

On a whim, I stumbled upon candlemaking searching for Christmas gift ideas. The market for candles is ENORMOUS. There are countless fragrances ranging from your typical “lavender” and “vanilla” to luxury brands that promote aromatherapy with essential oils. However, I was having trouble finding something culturally unique that I could relate to. I wanted to find that perfect “something” that could bring back those childhood nostalgic moments I had growing up in a culturally diverse environment. After coming up empty-handed, I decided to channel my own creativity and cultural roots into something meaningful to me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the creator and owner of Biko Haus Kandela Co., a luxury candle brand that specializes in Asian-inspired fragrances in hand-poured concrete jars, upcycled vessels, and wax melts. Candles have this incredible ability to provide both function and beauty, bringing warmth and light to any space. They can also communicate stories through scent, allowing certain fragrances to inspire specific emotions. I founded this brand to celebrate my mixed Hapa ancestry (“Hapa” meaning mixed-race of Asian and Pacific Islander descent) by blending Asian and Pacific Islander traditions into fragrances that honor the vibrancy of Asian culture around the world.

All the Biko Haus fragrances are artfully handcrafted, each one drawing inspiration from lifelong memories. Growing up, my parent’s home was a paradise of beautifully fragrant tropical flowers — flowers like white ginger, gardenia, and pikake jasmine. This specific type of jasmine, also known as “sampaguita” in the Philippines, held a particularly beautiful aroma. So when I was deciding on Biko’s signature scent, Sampaguita was the natural choice. It wasn’t just a source of inspiration; it’s also the national flower of the Philippines — a perfect embodiment of both memory and national pride.

Despite my strong creative streak, practicality runs deep in me — this was especially true when I founded Biko Haus. Minimizing environmental impact was a priority, so I opted to create my own concrete candle jars and upcycle thrifted glass and stoneware. The environmental benefits of repurposing to minimize landfill waste were a driving force behind my decision. That’s why I invest time in crafting unique and captivating vessels that offer a second life after the candle burns out. I’ve given many of my own ‘konkreto’ (concrete) jars a new lease on life, transforming them into succulent planters, paintbrush holders, and even refillable candle vessels themselves!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three most impactful qualities and skills I’ve used on my journey have been originality, patience, and a STRONG cup of coffee. The latter being a very important one for me personally.

The process of creating a business is challenging — especially if you’re a solo entrepreneur learning to navigate a new field. However, when your journey sparks immense joy, that passion and enthusiasm become the fuel that propels you towards success. As for success, that can look different for a lot of people. If financial success is your ultimate goal, that’s great — if you feel strongly about using sustainable practices, that’s great too. For me, I learned that my benchmark for success came from the feeling of genuine human connection. Customers have sent heartwarming notes thanking me for a scent that rekindled memories of their recently departed spouse. Others have been amazed by how a simple candle can perfectly capture the essence of their favorite childhood dessert. These seemingly small gestures have ultimately made a huge impact on how I want to connect with the world.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of the current challenges I’m facing is managing the volume of tasks on my plate. As a solo candle entrepreneur, I’m the fragrance researcher, designer, production manager, quality control inspector, marketer, salesperson, accountant, and customer service representative all rolled into one. This constant juggling act can feel a bit overwhelming at times making it difficult to focus on any one aspect of my business. Wearing so many hats is an exciting part of being my own boss, but it also comes with the challenge of coordinating everything efficiently. However, I’m always exploring new ways to streamline my workflow and free up some time to focus on growth opportunities.

Digging into productivity tools and resources has been a game-changer for me and my business. Learning to automate repetitive tasks and streamline things like bookkeeping has freed up so much mental space. My hope is that by becoming more efficient, I can dedicate more time to being creative – like experimenting with exciting new scent combinations and brainstorming engaging marketing ideas that make my products stand out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bikohaus.com
• Instagram: @bikohaus
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BikoHaus

Image Credits

David Ives