Who can forget the smell of a Saturday spent cleaning, as the sound of music blared in the background: the smell that filled the air and made you get up knowing you had to pick up a broom and help ?

Or maybe you remember the smell of hot chocolate and pan dulce as you sat around the table hearing your the mate last chism.

What if you could relive those memories by lighting a candle in your room? While you’re folding that pile of laundry you’ve been putting off.

Marcella Gomez, mother, nurse and Downey cancer survivor, is the founder of Oh Comadre Candles, a Latina-owned company that literally captures those memories in a candle.

“Oh Comadre candles celebrate life through the eyes of a Latina. Candles are meant to evoke emotion, comfort, memory or even laughter,” Gomez said.

Gomez started her online business in 2014 as a form of therapy and outside of the nursing job she had at the time. It was a way for her to disconnect from the stress of a work day and help distract her, she explains.

In October 2020, Gomez was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has since received treatment and is in remission.

She says she would like her story to be an example of the importance of taking care of your health and seeing your doctor.

“Take care of yourself like we take care of others,” Gomez said. “If your best friend told you he found a lump, you would drop everything and help your good friend get to a doctor. Why not do the same for yourself?”

Since starting her business, Gomez has gained over 76,000 followers on Instagram and most recently opened her first storefront in Downey a few months ago.

“I have nothing but gratitude for anyone who takes the time to walk through our door. It’s a wonderful feeling that any small business can feel,” Gomez said. “I couldn’t believe the amount the support the shop has received. I still can’t believe it. Someone please pinch me.

Gomez says it’s been a long process to find the right formula for her candles. Then in 2016, she received her first online order.

“I couldn’t believe someone bought it for me. I thought it was a joke because the order arrived on my birthday. Luckily it was the first of many orders to come,” Gomez said.

Most Latinos can identify with the flavors of Fabuloso, Vaporub, Pan Dulce, Abuelita Hot Chocolate, Horchata, and even Jabon Zote.

These are the scents of childhood and everyday life that bring happiness and that can now be enjoyed in your sala.

“Each candle is individually hand poured with lots of love. You’d probably say everyone says that,” Gomez said. in a restaurant or at home, but the home-cooked meal has a certain sparkle in taste that only a home-cooked meal has.

Gomez has a wide variety of candles on her website, but says the top seller is still Pan Dulce.

You can visit Oh Comadre Candles at their store located at 9102 Firestone Blvd. Suite R at Downey or online.