Meet the face behind the flourishing global brand "House of Nunu", Sydney entrepreneur Nura Hatami

Global design + home decor company "House of Nunu" was created in 2011 by female entrepreneur Nura Hatami in Sydney, with the goal of creating beautiful products that tell a story. Now a decade later, her brand has gone global and you can find her beautiful products in houses around the world. The essence of House of Nunu is simple yet complex, much like the products themselves. They strive to retain individuality whilst also gaining influence from their environment. The products are unique, colourful + fun, whilst also holding an elegance that we've seen in home decor for decades.

I spoke with Nura about how she created this flourishing brand and what advice she has for other young entrepreneurs, as well as touching on the diversity issue that unfortunately still faces the business sector.

You created House of Nunu back in 2011, how has the design industry changed since then and how have you adapted?

House of Nunu was born in 2011, born out of a desire to design aesthetically pleasing products that also incorporate elements of storytelling. When House of Nunu first started, I was making handmade soy candles that were fairly sparse in the market. They were seen as small items bringing a little luxury to the home. This has since changed and there is now a multitude of products ranging from supermarket candles to high end luxury blends. What set our range apart was the intention behind the product as well as the quality and aesthetics of the material and packaging. The design industry has evolved with the times, aligning towards more sustainable and high quality products. In line with this, our brand also evolved to include complementary products that I thought people would enjoy. As someone who is heavily influenced by my environment, these products are all pieces I would love in my own home. The threat that unites them is that they bring joy and beauty. They are simple yet striking, modern yet classic.

Your newest range is poetically described to "reflect on the universality of human connection, vulnerability, love and loss and the transformative power of these experiences." Can you please expand on this and describe what inspired this concept?

The kaleidoscope candle range was developed after experiencing moments of vulnerability and recognising the importance of connection. I learnt that while vulnerability feels scary, it’s ultimately what connects us to ourselves and helps us transform. This was the concept behind the Kaleidoscope candle range.

What is your favourite item that you sell?

That is a tough question! My products are like my children and it is hard to choose. The Kaleidoscope Candles hold a special place in my heart as they symbolised the beginning of a new direction for the brand, The Double Trouble Cups are another top favourite for the very reason that they transform an often-ordinary household item into something a little special.

Unfortunately there is still a diversity issue that faces the business sector, how does it feel being a leader and role model in the change to rectify this?

I didn’t grow up seeing diverse faces in the business sector, though, that started to change in more recent years. It’s great to see inspiring examples of diverse, female entrepreneurs who make the impossible seem possible.

There is something very powerful about women helping other women and that is also something I strive for in how I conduct my own business. I believe we can all achieve more with a mentality of empowerment

Your candle range is made in Australia with pure and sustainable ingredients, which is great! How important is it for you to produce items that are sustainable, and how can we all go about living a more sustainable lifestyle?

It’s very important to me to produce items that are sustainable whether that be natural candle ingredients or the packaging we use for our glassware. We try wherever possible to use sustainable alternatives to minimise and reduce our waste. Other areas where we can make little changes with big impacts are in our household such as cleaning items which we use as part of our daily routines at home.

And finally, what advice do you have for other entrepreneurs who want to break into the industry and turn something they love doing into a career.

I love this question and feel honoured that you even asked me! As someone who is still trying to figure this out myself, I think it’s important - as cliché as it sounds - to do something that you love. My journey has required a lot of late nights and weekends worth of work and doing what I love has given me that little extra spark of energy. It keeps me motivated and is a great reminder why it’s all worth it. Also, I would recommend trying to find a gap in the market and strive to fill the gap with determination and self-belief.

You can check out Nura's stunning collection of glassware, candles & much more here xx