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

Nataly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

When it comes to Avil Candles I always include a written note from myself to express my appreciation to customers and to let them know that without their support Avil Candles wouldn’t be what it is now. Every note lets the customer know that they are appreciated and includes details of the healing benefits of the candles. I always hope that my handmade candles bring the peace that the client is looking for into their home and or sacred space.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Nataly Villa Popes. My business is in Fashion, Beauty and Artisanal Candle Manufactoring. With fashion brand D’BPHOR I wear many different hats; creative input, visual input, makeup artistry and many more. When I was a littler girl I was always into fashion and beauty. My mother would always dress me up and I always had a little purse with lipgloss around my wrist. I truly got more into the fashion industry back in 2014 starting from a highschool fashion show, to then a city fashion show and more on forward walking in fashion shows in Boston as a model and from there on the rest was history in which now I am a CFO of a fashion brand with my husband Phor Popes and part take in many different international as well as global shows. Our fashion brand is one of a kind like no other. It pushes boundaries and redefines luxury and displays Moxy. I am extremely proud of how we have progressed throughout the years and how we continue to elevate and uplift many. It’s a brand that has no description, it can’t be categorized as it is truly one of a kind.

Avil Candles is a business dedicated to my son Avil whom I lost tragically in a stillbirth June 11,2021. I had always been into candles but focused more on it during my grieving times. I found peace with making candles. Its purpose is for others to find peace and serenity in their homes/ sacred place like it created for me in my home after grieving my son. I don’t make candles for the seasons. They are truly candles made out of love and pain with and when both emotions combined create a calmness in the heart and mind. With Avil Candles I want customers to know that they are never alone and that it is okay to take a moment for yourself and take a pause in the chaos.
The scents are carefully chosen and names of each candles are all what I felt with Avil; blessings, abundance of love, protection to name a few. Avil Candles is me pouring everything I have into a jar for my customers to have.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I believe building an audience is something a business works on daily. It’s all about content creation whether it’s videos or photos of the clothes and or candles. When the audience does not see the brand or business often it can be forgotten or it can be craved for. Building an audience also requires networking with individuals and in my case it has been at fashion shows or after having casual conversations in events with individuals.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I believe my whole life is a resemblance of resilience. Losing a child I lost a part of myself. I remember the nurses in the hospital being surprised that I was still able to form a smile. That smile only formed because it took a village and that village filled me with so much love. Everyday I hear a voice that tells me to keep moving forward and I know it’s not just for myself but for my 2 year old miracle baby that came after and the family I created. I know that my story and everything that I have been through will help someone keep moving forward and not give up on anything. In a moment I could have given up, God gave me a second chance by not taking me too in that hospital bed and everything I do now is to make sure that who ever I come across leaves feeling loved, confident and full of peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/avilcandles?igsh=MTFzcjQwaTBjZGc4aA==
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbphor?igsh=MXVua3ZyejJuN2djOQ==
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/villafullofsoul?igsh=MXZycmxja3lsc2YzMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Rudy Martinez, Katiria Concepcion, Waldy Studio