WILLIAMSBURG — The owner and founder of Williamsburg-based White Home Woods has launched a candle subscription box, with a portion of the proceeds going to a local nonprofit promoting mental health.
This year’s donations will go to NAMI Williamsburg, a support, education and advocacy organization for and by individuals with serious mental illnesses, their families and friends. The organization, an affiliate of NAMI Virginia, serves James City County, Poquoson, Williamsburg and York County.
Melitza Cortes immigrated from Puerto Rico to Williamsburg and fell in love with the area. Cortes found she loved to craft, it was a way to keep her mind occupied, and she used to sell her wares at the Williamsburg Bazaar before starting her own business. She started White Home Woods in 2019, and the business grew with its home decor subscription box.
“I have always loved home decor, it’s my true passion,” Cortes said. “One day I was thinking, well what if I do a box with my signs and home decor and send it to people every once in a while like every three months? So I started doing research.”
Cortes found there were already other companies that had started decor subscription boxes, so she officially launched her box in 2021. At the start, like other companies, she would build a box and send it, ultimately being nominated for a “best box of the year” award.
Over time she started to change the process, allowing others to choose and customize bundles in their box. Cortes says she owns the only home decor subscription box that lets the customer choose everything.
Cortes was inspired to launch the new candle subscription box due to her own struggle with anxiety and depression. She launched the box in May and selects scents and themes for each box that encourage mental health.
“I wanted to have something that expresses ‘you aren’t alone, you’re seen, there are a lot of people like you,'” Cortes explained. “I call it a big hug in a box.”
Every month’s candles have a quote and a theme to help support mental health through affirmation. The candles are hand-made by Cortes.
For more information about White Home Wood, visit its official website.
