In Conversation with Stellar Lighting

Stellar Lighting isn’t just a brand — it’s a family, a celebration of South African spirit, and a champion of community. Since 2022, they’ve been lighting up homes and events with products designed for connection, comfort, and a little everyday magic. We caught up with founder Robyn and the team to chat about their journey, values, and how they’re making life’s moments brighter — one string light at a time.

Stellar Lighting describes the team as a family. How do you foster a close-knit, collaborative work environment in your day-to-day operations?

When we say we’re a family, we mean it, literally and in spirit. I (Robyn) work with my dad, who’s both supportive and firm in the best way. My cousin (who can sometimes be the typical annoying cousin) has been by my side since childhood, we basically grew up spending every weekend together. And Luke, who’s been a close family friend for over 10 years, rounds out our core team. We genuinely care about each other, and that connection carries through in everything we do. Last year, Cait joined us as our social media manager, and she’s slotted in like she’s always been part of the family. We keep things open, supportive, and collaborative, regular check-ins help everyone feel in the loop. And while we work hard, we always make space for a laugh or a game at the end of a meeting. That balance of heart, humour, and hard work is what keeps our team strong.

You’re passionate about South African traditions. How do your personal backgrounds and experiences shape your commitment to warmth, celebration, and community?

Everyone in our company comes from different corners of South Africa, but there’s one thing we all have in common, South Africans love to gather, especially around a braai. That spirit of togetherness, celebration, and warmth runs deep in our culture, and it’s something we try to reflect in everything we do. On a personal note (from me, Robyn) I’ve lived and travelled overseas, and honestly, nothing compares to the spirit of home. There’s a kind of magic in the way South Africans show up for each other, and that’s what inspires our commitment to community through our brand. We design our products to add to those shared moments, not distract from them.

Your products aim to add “a touch of magic” to special moments. How do you help customers choose the perfect lighting for a braai, event, or gathering?

We love helping our customers create those magical moments, and it all starts with making it easy to choose the right lighting for their space. Cait, our social media extraordinaire, regularly shares tips, tricks, and inspiration on how to get the most out of your lights. We’re also continuously working on new ways to make the decision-making process easier. One of our favourite tools is the ‘Stellar In Real Life’ gallery you’ll find on each product page, featuring real photos from real scenarios. It’s a great way to show how the lights actually look in different setups and give people the confidence to choose what feels right for their own get-together. And we always want to see more! Customers can tag us on Instagram or Facebook, or even send their photos to info@stellarlighting.co.za to be featured. It’s such a joy to see our lights in action and celebrate the creative ways people use them.

Can you share an example where your team went above and beyond to deliver an unforgettable customer experience?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one moment—because going above and beyond is simply part of how we work. Customer service is one of our biggest priorities, and we’ll always do what it takes to make sure someone has a great experience. If a customer needs lights dropped off after hours for an event the next day, we’ll be there. If someone needs help setting up or has a last-minute question, we’ll jump in. We genuinely care about the people behind each order, and that drives us to keep showing up with heart.

Lighting transforms a space. Can you share a creative idea or project you’ve worked on that truly brought a ‘wow’ factor to someone’s environment?

It’s tough to pick just one moment, but a standout for us has definitely been our collaboration with Kam’Bati River Resort. We’ve now had the opportunity to visit and light up their space twice, and each time it’s been about enhancing the holiday experience for their guests. At the pool area, we installed Plug-in String Lights under the café roof, giving the space a cozy, festive vibe at night. Around the pool pods and trees, we added Solar String Lights that cast a soft, warm glow, just enough to make the space feel magical without overpowering the natural setting. Each cabin now has Heavy Duty Solar String Lights hung along the veranda rood, so when guests are soaking in the hot tub or enjoying a quiet dinner outside, the lighting adds that extra layer of warmth and ambiance. Our new, and improved solar lights come with remotes, so the team at Kam’Bati, or the guests themselves, can dim the lights, set timers, or switch them off when they’re not in use. It’s those small, thoughtful touches that we love bringing to life.

How do you approach designing a lighting display for South African holidays or cultural events to reflect both your brand and local traditions?

Just add a braai! Just kidding… kind of. For us, it’s all about community and bringing people together, that’s what we believe is at the heart of being South African. If it’s a holiday celebration, a heritage day braai, or a weekend get-together, we design our lighting to complement the moment, not compete with it. Our goal is to enhance the vibe and reflect the warm, welcoming spirit of South Africa, one string of lights at a time.

What excites you most about being a young, growing company since founding in 2022?

What excites us most about being a young, growing company is how easy it is these days to learn, grow, and connect with other businesses. Since starting in 2022, we’ve been amazed at how open and collaborative the small business space can be. There’s a real sense of community among like-minded brands, and being part of that network has been incredibly inspiring. It’s kept us energized, constantly evolving, and excited for what’s next.

Your mission is to “make life’s moments brighter.”  What does that mean to you personally, and how do you bring it to life in your products and service?

We like to say we’re all about ‘lighter living’, because it’s not just about brightness, it’s about simplicity and joy. For us, it’s all about helping people enjoy their space without stress. Life’s busy enough, so your lighting shouldn’t be. We focus on designing products that help people enjoy their spaces more, without stress. Everything we create is made to feel considered, cosy, and easy to live with. We care about the details, so that once our lights are up, you can just enjoy the moment.

As a brand founded by a father-daughter team, what has intergenerational collaboration brought to your leadership style and business decisions?

We’re not afraid to be honest with each other, even if that means saying no. My dad brings decades of experience from building businesses, and with that comes a steady hand and a lot of wisdom. He’s given me the space to make my own decisions (and a few reasonable mistakes), but always with guidance that keeps me grounded. That trust and mutual respect have shaped the way we run the business and lead our team, with honesty, openness, and a real sense of working together.

Who or what inspires you to keep innovating and delivering excellence in the lighting space?

In a funny way, our competitors! They really do keep us on our toes. Watching what others in the space are doing pushes us to stay sharp, keep evolving, and never get too comfortable. We’re actually really grateful for the healthy competition, it keeps the industry vibrant and encourages us to bring our best every time.

How do you see Stellar Lighting growing its presence in more South African homes and events in the years to come?

We’ve been so surprised (in the best way!) by how much we’ve grown, but there’s still so much more ahead. One of our big goals over the next few years is to expand into more B2B retailers. We know not everyone enjoys shopping online, so having our lights available in more physical stores would make a big difference. We’re also working on expanding our product range to suit even more homes and events, helping bring beautiful, practical lighting to more South Africans.

What lighting trends are you excited about, and how is Stellar Lighting staying ahead of them?

Great question, Marcia! One of the trends we’re most excited about is the growing shift toward off-grid and sustainable living. With load shedding still very much a part of everyday life in South Africa, we’re focused on offering solar lighting that’s not only beautiful, but also durable, long-lasting, and genuinely practical. Energy efficiency is another big priority for us, we want our customers to create warm and inviting spaces without stressing about power usage. We stay ahead of these trends by listening, really listening. Whether it’s feedback from our customers, shifts in design preferences, or the realities of local living, we pay close attention so we can create products that are not just on-trend, but actually useful in real South African homes. We also love to experiment with new materials, formats, or ways to improve the lighting experience, so we’re always learning, evolving, and finding new ways to support a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle. 

Contact: Stellar Lighting

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