Born From Prayer: The Origin of Altar Native

My founder story.

It’s about time I properly introduce myself…

Hi, my name is Yasmin Crystal Santos — I’m the founder of Altar Native, an alcohol alternative company that focuses on flavor, feeling and function.

Altar was an idea that sprouted from prayer back in 2022.

But the seed was planted several years before, when in 2016 my mom was diagnosed with early onset dementia. And due to incredibly complicated circumstances, I became her legal guardian and primary caretaker.

At first I did everything "right" to meet her medical needs – we saw physicians, neurologists, scans, tests and prescriptions. But that didn't help. In fact, it kinda made things worse.

Unhappy with how allopathic medicine (modern American medicine) was handling her condition, I decided to look elsewhere and began researching “alternative” medicine – holistic methods that were meant to heal and prevent illness.

Since I was already well-versed in the impact that diet and exercise have on health, what was most striking to me was herbalism. I didn't know there were so many plants that were proven to benefit the body – both clinically and historically. So I replaced all the prescriptions (which had awful side effects) with herbal teas and supplements. 

And there was a notable difference. Within weeks, my quickly declining mother was more present, responsive, and confident.

Sadly, by this point, the atrophy in her brain had progressed too far to make a real difference. I was too late. 

By 2020, she became bedridden. At this point, her comfort was my primary concern.

Needless to say, this experience also took its toll on me. I was anxious and stressed.

Years prior, I had stopped drinking alcohol in order to heal a gut imbalance that had surely arisen due to the stress of the whole situation. And by the time I was healthy enough to tolerate it again, it just wasn’t as fun anymore. My vibe was just different now. 

So alcohol was not a way I could de-stress, unwind, or socialize. 

But I needed SOMETHING.

And so did mom.

So I prayed.

And the answer I heard was “the plants are there for you.” 

I had only the faintest idea what that meant. So I started searching and found that there were several plants that helped relieve pain and anxiety. Maybe this was a solution — for mom and for me. 

So, I went to my local smoke shop and purchased three tinctures: CBD, Kratom, and Kava.

CBD and Kratom were best for mom, noticeably easing her pain and discomfort.

Kava is what worked best for me.

So, I started carrying a little 1 oz bottle of kava tincture with me when I went out. I’d order a soda water and add a dropperfull or 2 and it did just the trick! Calming my anxiety and opening me up to connection with others. 

It wasn't long before friends started noticing and wanted some too.

✦ ⟡ ✦

In 2022, I moved to Austin.

Mom had passed the year before, in May, on Mother’s Day believe it or not. It was quite beautiful actually ♡ 

With my caretaker chapter coming to a close, it was time for me to live out my life as a 20-something year old in a new city. 

As I entered into the wellness and spiritual circles in ATX, people around me already knew about kava and always wanted some! 

So I started bringing bigger bottles, seltzers and mixers with me to gatherings and shared with everyone.

I was working at Meta at the time, a very comfy job that provided me with a lot of financial security and free time.

But I wasn’t satisfied. I was being called to something more… I just didn’t know what.

So again, I prayed.

To be guided.

My prayer was a very non-dogmatic form of prayer; just a convo between me and my creator, whatever that may be. 

 I spent months praying this same prayer: “Please guide me toward the greatest good.”

And one day, right after I prayed. My mind flooded with ideas for this business. I mean everything just came through in an instant — the name, the branding, the business model.

I mean, the path was not clear, but at least I had an idea and could see a few steps before me. 

After a few weeks of workshopping it all in my mind and sharing with friends (who didn’t really get it lol) I committed. 

And thus, Altar Native was born. I spent all of 2023 developing the brand, formulating recipes (aka “kitchen witchin”) and really getting clear on the vision. 

✦ ⟡ ✦

I write this now in 2025.

 It’s 2 years later and I’m still figuring out exactly what Altar Native is meant to be. 

We are moving away from the cater bar concept into products, content and consulting.

Events will always be part of our story, it just won’t be the main offering anymore.

But who knows. Products were never part of my plan… so things might change. Again.

All I know is that God is in control and I am the vessel through which this will be done. 

Happy to be :)

Anyway, that’s the origin of Altar Native. 

If you’ve read this far, thanks for being part of this story.

In power + purpose,

Yas ☾

ps – we are calling in an aligned angel investor to help us in bringing the plants to the people.

If you or someone you know could be the right person for this, please reach out to us here.