What It Means to Be Seen: Our First Feature in Westchester Magazine

There’s something quietly powerful about being seen—not in a viral, overnight success kind of way, but in the slower, more meaningful way that feels like someone is truly listening.

This month, Set Forth NY was featured in Westchester Magazine, and I’ll be honest—seeing the story of this brand written out by someone else was emotional in a way I didn’t expect.

This isn’t just a “look, we made the press!” moment. It’s a reflection of the quiet fire that’s been burning since I first poured wax into a matte black tin in my New York apartment, unsure if anyone would care about candles that spoke to grief, rebirth, and real transitions.

But they do care. You care.

What Westchester Magazine Got Right

The piece captures something I try to infuse into every label I hand-press, every scent we blend: that Set Forth NY is about more than fragrance. It’s about what happens in the moments between—between the inhale and exhale, between heartbreak and healing, between who we were and who we’re becoming.

They wrote about grief as the spark, but also about how that spark became warmth. How I created this brand in honor of my mother and for all of us navigating the messiness of loss, growth, love, and beginning again.

Why This Month Matters

July holds many layers for me. Beyond this beautiful moment of being recognized by the local press, it’s also the month I lost my mother—the very reason Set Forth NY exists.

To have our first feature published during her death anniversary feels like a quiet blessing from her. Like a reminder that she’s still guiding me. Still showing up in small, radiant ways.

Why This Matters

Being featured isn’t just about visibility. It’s about validity. It’s a reminder that small brands with big hearts have a place in this world. That we don’t have to dilute our purpose to be recognized. That we can build something rooted in ritual, remembrance, and real emotion—and people will feel it.

To everyone who has lit a Set Forth NY candle and whispered a quiet intention, cried, journaled, or simply sat in stillness—you’re part of this.

Where We're Headed

This feature is a milestone, but it’s not a destination. It’s fuel. The goal isn’t just more press, it’s more resonance. More spaces where our stories can be told honestly. More healing rituals gifted with love. More people reminded that they’re not alone.

So from the flame in my heart to yours—thank you for seeing Set Forth NY. Thank you for being the reason we keep going.

If you're new to our From the Flame series, I invite you to read “Not Everyone Will Get It, and That’s Okay.” It was the first entry in this space—a letter of sorts about staying rooted in your why, even when not everyone understands it. Together, these posts trace the emotional backbone of Set Forth NY and the stories that shaped it.

And if this post resonated with you, share it with someone you love, or sign up for our newsletter to receive more reflections, rituals, and behind-the-scenes moments—straight from the flame.

Photo by Randy Tarampi on Unsplash Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash