We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dream E a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dream E, thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

As a nonbinary person of trans experience and a formally homeless youth, I know how it feels to not be valued, seen, and unrepresented. We create affirming and healing candles for trans and nonbinary people with a focus on mental,emotional and spiritual healing. We work within the Black Trans Nonbinary Community, who most need to feel affirmed in their identities. We are the most targeted and at risk of violence, suicide and homelessness. We raise money to give out free candles as a “thank you for your existence” to the members of our community. We shouldnt only light candles when we are mourning but in celebration of our existence, light and desire to love.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is DREAM( all caps), What I believe sets me apart from others is how unapologetically authentic I am, in how I live and stand in my truth. I am my community, I am who I serve. I created We LIT with the understanding and sadness of seeing so many of my friends die and only see my community light candles in mourning someone. The violence I would experience in the workplace often times being the only queer/nonbinary person. I was in the beginning stages of my own shadow work and healing from ALOT of transphobia I was experiencing when making candles was suggested by my partner for us to make one night together and we decided to make our own intention candles. That’s when I immediately felt that there was a need here. As someone who have so many ideas and passions. It takes alot to stay displine and being consistent. Everyday I make my own to do list of things I need and want to complete for my business. Even if its one or two task, I know that its one more step towards me growing and developing.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Every day through this journey of living I am representing resilience. As a dark Black nonbinary person navigating a society that doesnt acknowledged me but somehow still a societal target and threat. I show resilience by demanding the respect of others no matter the consequences, especially if it allows open doors of endless opportunities for the next person after me. That is what I call not just resilience but revolutionary .

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I started with just $200 with the support of my partner. Having the vision that I would just sell to my immediate friends and chosen family. I would go to parties, with a small book for inventory and a few candles in my bag. Dancing and having a great time while also taking orders and showing the 3 small candle scents. Having community members support with small donations of supplies and different shipping materials. Seeing the need of my business, and the amount of support to make my idea a reality cost effective helped a lot.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.weliveintruth.com
• Instagram: weliveintruth_welit