Meet Ashley Pusey | Chemical Engineer & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Pusey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Legacy! Honestly, when I started making candles it was an outlet and the calming process of candle making allowed me to release anxiety and depression. When I found out I was expecting, I started planting the seeds of starting my own business. At that very moment, I was no longer living for myself and wanted to make sure my child had more opportunities in life than their mother did. Before I found out my child’s gender, I knew I wanted their name to mean illuminate; because I want them always to know, no matter how challenging life gets to always look within because all that they need is already within them and it glows. Candles illuminate literally and figuratively and my daughter’s name means Moonlight and from there Moonlight Wicks was born.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My creative expression is a huge part of my authentic self. In college, my studies consisted of psychology, sociology, human services, family studies, group therapy, and stewardship classes. My goal is to become a social worker in the area and focus on foster care and adoption. Families are complex group dynamics, and working through the framework of social group work has made me appreciate the sense of community and mutual aid more. My art and passion for creating with my hands make me more self-aware of my purpose. Blending fragrances and formulating can be as complex as facilitating a group therapy session. Once you’re a part of the process, you get to peel back layers and understand the whys and choices of others.

The process of candle-making can be overwhelming. There are multiple varieties of waxes, wicks, colors, and fragrances to choose from, but as you keep learning, through testing you will find out what ingredients work best for your candles/brand. Similar to finding your unique style and approach to group work or therapy. Candle Making is a science and requires more than melting wax, adding fragrance, and then pouring. Navigating the world as a social worker the possibilities are endless too, as you never know what situations you’ll be faced to handle.

Has it been easy? Not at all. College is hard, but it does give you an opportunity for self-exploration, and I think it’s a good stepping stone for the foundation. I overcame these challenges by showing up, asking for help, and using all the resources I had access to. I’ve learned along the way that there is always room for improvement, and sometimes you have to pivot to avoid being stuck and continue moving forward.

I want the world to know the value of self-care and self-love because not only do they go hand-in-hand, they are both necessary to help individuals navigate through the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite spots in the city to eat is Bon Chon Chicken in Midtown, the best wings I have tasted in a long time. The Crab House is good too for seafood lovers, it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet so you can make the best out of your day, also great for intimate birthday dinners or girls’ night out. For relaxation and scenic views, we can go to the Snug Harbor Cultural Center which is filled with a beautiful and peaceful array of botanicals and calming water features. Museums are always a win too. Industry City is an aesthetic place to hang out as well as some co-working facilities to get work done and handle business, like Cloe’s Corner in Brooklyn.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This was a tough one. I would say, my community. My community of people who genuinely support me from family, friends, colleagues, and strangers, to my ancestors and guardian angels.

Website: www.ShopMoonlightWicks.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/MoonlightWicks

Twitter: Twitter.com/MoonlightWicks

Facebook: Facebook.com/MoonlightWicks