Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Cava.
Hi Katrina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Sisters of The Moon began in 2018 in my kitchen as a form of therapy. Being a younger mom, I was trying to find something that was my own and that would allow me to be or feel like a creative again. In the beginning, I started making bath bombs and candles and I would post them for fun on my social media accounts. One day I was offered $100 (my first sale) for my products and felt so funny taking that and I had actually offered to make them for free. But that’s kind of how it all started. From that point on I tried to post about my candles and bath bombs often, tying them into my readings and/or ritual practices toward healing and self-love. Eventually, I explored the world of art walks and markets and within that year got into my first store in Los Angeles on Sunset Boulevard. Growing up in Los Angeles that was the coolest thing for me and it really motivated me to keep trying to grow and actually made me feel like I had something. I had a business. Fast forward to today, I am in over 40 stores worldwide and in 2022 got the keys to my first creative space and no longer am working out of my kitchen.
In January 2023, I officially opened my first store that I am extremely proud of. I am first generation Mexican American and feel like I have accomplished so much while being a single mom and not having completed college. I do not take for granted the work of my ancestors and loved ones who broke barriers to allow me to have the opportunities I have worked towards. Since having a storefront and moving to the south it was very important to me to provide a safe space for everyone and to showcase the beauty and talent of diversity. I currently have over 50 creatives in the store made primarily by the LGBTQ+ community and women of color. It has been the most rewarding thing thus far in my life to provide a space for people to feel welcomed and represented. I hope to do more work with the city/community of Athens and to work with charities and nonprofits in the area along with surrounding areas. A few current projects I am very excited for is my monthly empowerment gatherings (for everyone) with a local spiritual facilitator and tarot reader Blake from The Mystic Bee. Also, beginning in March I will have a space available in my store for creatives and makers of all kinds to reserve for a weekend or particular day during the weekend and have their very own pop-up in my store at no charge to them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Wow. This really could be a very long answer but to keep it as short as possible my answer would be no, it has not been so easy. What lead me to doing this was a need to really look inward and heal which is not really that easy in general. I have anxiety and depression and I think added with so much more trauma from my childhood and early adult life that anytime you try to do something for yourself it’s scary and you often think you are not good enough. In creating again I was able to quickly see that working with my hands again and actually doing something for myself was a great start to passion and fueled my desire to work with my hands again somehow. Over the years, while battling with my mental health, I would take breaks because I never wanted to make products for others when not feeling my best. I soon learned that stopping wasn’t the answer and sometimes what was the most helpful was to keep going. Something that has been an incredible help with this journey has been my customers. We have created this online group that has a bond where we share our stories, share the journey to self-love and healing. With the store being open that group has tremendously grown and it has satisfied my soul so much and has truly healed so much of my inner child. I truly think the store and the energy behind everyone’s products really provide a shift that you can feel when you enter. Our clients are always welcomed, usually greeted by a hug or by name and often asked to pull up a chair and chat.
I find the beauty in the up and down road that has lead to here, and there is not one day while I am in my space that I am not twirling around just so satisfied with how life has worked its way out. I enter the store saying hello and I say goodbye to her every day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I make most of the candles in the store and have a wide array of candle options. I started with candles that were utilized more with a candle and color magick. I used herbs, crystals, and oils that worked hand in hand with the intention that was trying to be channeled. I made a lot of customer candles for specific needs and intentions. When we moved from Los Angeles to Athens, Georgia Sisters of The Moon shifted. I still made my intention-based candles that had crystals inside but I made the choice to provide a beautiful-smelling candle that came with a crystal inside that can be enjoyed or used in a practice. I still have customers that I work with on custom candles but I have enjoyed expanding my brand and opening it to everyone. I was very surprised with how well received it was considering the spiritual elements in my brand. I am very open-minded and appreciate that everyone here has been kind and open with me too.
I think something we have been known for is our crystals in our candles and the way our candles smell. I might be biased but they really are beautiful and special. There is a lot of love behind them.
Customers have bragged to us that the candles smell even when not lit and that the scents are distinct but do not cause any headaches for those that may be sensitive.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Something I found very interesting was how much Athens loves their small businesses and are so supportive of our artist/creative community. At the time, I was new to the area. I moved to Athens from my hometown of Los Angeles March 1st of 2020. I had like three days of normal and then was at home not knowing the new state and city I moved to. I didn’t feel at home, it was pretty scary and lonely. That winter, I was a vendor for the Athens Farmers Market and for the very first time since starting my business, I sold out (on the first day) of my products. I felt the support from the community and since then I feel so supported by this city. Call it southern hospitality but Athens is something special and finally feeling at home is really something cool.
Covid taught me though, that we really do not know anything. Things can happen at the snap of a finger but something I have chosen to take is to be trusting that everything happens as it should. We can’t control the way the wind blows but if we do what we can by practicing kindness then things have a way of working out somehow.
I will forever be thankful for the Classic City. I took a big leap across the country and continued to TRY to establish a brand here and Athens gave me my best year from that point. I do not take for granted how much Athens embraces one another.
Contact Info:
- Website: shopsotm.com
- Instagram: shopsotm
