Natalie Lopez starts another day inside her basement's makeshift workshop, freshly crafting another one of her original candles.

"Every candle has a story, and every candle has come from somewhere in my childhood; in my experiences and memories," she said. "So, I tried to cover a wide range of scents to really appeal to everybody."

While Lopez has always been a candle fan, it wasn't until she became a mother that her burning habits took a turn.

" I was the one that was always like up and down the aisles at TJMaxx or Marshalls, and picking up like $7 or $8 candles," she said. "I burned them no problem until I had my son...I was wiping my mirror and cleaning up, and I had a candle burning at the same time. I saw there was black soot on the mirror, and I was like, 'Oh, I know I just cleaned. I didn't need to clean that again.' That was coming from the candle...So, I started to pay a little closer attention to what we were inhaling. It was a big deal for me because I always had a candle going in every room."

To fix that problem, Lopez launched North + Ash Candles, creating non-toxic products safe for anyone to burn.

"The candles are non-toxic, and every ingredient is sourced here in the U.S.," she explained. "The wax that I use is coconut soy wax, and every candle has an all-natural cotton wick, which is a lot healthier and a little safer to burn compared to bigger companies."

By launching the company, Lopez's main goal was to promote a healthier lifestyle, all while paying tribute to her family.

"[The reason] why I started [the company] really is for legacy," Lopez explained. "I want to show my son what it's like to be your own advocate. My parents have done the same for me, so they have a really big part in that journey. [When it comes to] the meaning of North + Ash Candles…'North' comes from my family. We grew up in the Bronx…and I'll never forget my roots, but we moved here to Westchester almost 30 years ago. That's where my family decided to plant their roots. So, we went up north, and 'Ash' is short for my son's name, Asher."

That love for her family and hometown is also expressed directly through her products themselves, with one paying tribute to her hometown and another her Puerto Rican heritage.

"'Forest Mist' is inspired directly by the Hudson Valley," Lopez said. "I like to go hiking, so this [candle] is really like you're walking up a hiking trail: you're in the woods and you're smelling the pine trees; you're smelling some of the soil. It just feels like you've brought a hike into your home... I'm [also] half Puerto Rican and black, and I very much pride myself on that aspect of the business. It's everything. It's probably the root of my business, too. [The candle] 'Boricua' was inspired by my family. I still have family on the island, and I love them so much."

After officially launching in March 2024, the love and support from Lopez's family has extended to customers throughout the Hudson Valley.

"I have so many regulars that sometimes will come to where I am, and they're from a different town or they're from out of state," she explained. "They'll say, ‘Oh my gosh, you're going to be here. Amazing. I can't wait.’ It's so amazing."

As a result, Lopez tries to dedicate her candles not only to her family, but also to those regular customers to express her gratitude.

" Every scent has a purpose that has a place for someone, and the community's really shown up for me in that way," she said.

However, it's the support from her family that keeps her going each and every day.

"My parents have probably every single candle that I've made in their house," Lopez said. " It means so much to me. It keeps me going, especially my son. He keeps me going, and he's my little candle helper. He actually really likes applying the labels, and he's doing a really good job. He gets a kick out of it too, so it's a nice activity to do together sometimes."

Lopez's candles can be bought on North + Ash's website or in person at local boutiques throughout the Hudson Valley. A list of locations can be found here. Lopez will also be making appearances at upcoming markets throughout the region. To stay up to date on where she will appear next, follow her Instagram page.