We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liliana Rivera Baiman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liliana below.

Liliana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I was born in a small village in mountains of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. It was right in the middle of the silver mining desert and what is know as la Huasteca Potosina. Imagine a quiet town of just 250 people with an abundance of skilled labor and artesian talent. The women in our village would make beautiful decorative wax displays for holidays and celebrations in honor of our Patron Saint, San Jose. As well as everyday candles for the village to use for light. This was of course prior to electricity or even running water.

My family migrated to the United States just before I turned 4 and even though I was unable to visit for many years, I remembered the coffee cooking in large ceramic pots, the colorful wax displays and the hardworking hands that kept our town’s culture alive.

I have always felt so much pride to be from San Jose de Nogalitos, but never knew what I could do to honor those traditions and culture. In 2017 my husband and I decided to form a family in our new home, Columbus, OH. I knew that i would struggle with getting pregnant and had been diagnosed with endometriosis. I never imagined how difficult of a journey it would be.

On my birthday May 30th, 2017 I went into labor just 5 month pregnant with our daughter Luna. My water broke unexpectedly and I was rushed to the hospital. It was a still birth caused by something called Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM). It was a very dark time in my life but I was determined to be a mother and tried once again. I don’t think I had processed my full grief when I got pregnant again with Dylan, our now 4 year old.

I was put on bedrest, specialist care, weekly check ups, had 2 cerclage procedures and progesterone shots. Even with all the caution in the world, I suffered from another PPROM and was put on hospital bedrest. My son Dylan was born at 32 weeks at 3 lbs 16 oz and lived in the NICU for 3 months. This was a time of chaos and joy with very little reflection on the insane journey we had been through. I was filled with the euphoria of a new born baby.

Fast forward to the pandemic and the summer of 2020, my emotions and grief started catching up. The idea of being isolated and away from the people I loved started bringing forward so many thoughts and memories. I needed ways to channel that pain I was reliving. All I could think about was what Luna might have been. I started making candles and lotions. I began asking family members about recipes and remembering blends my mother had used on me. I worked on natural balms for Dylan who had sensitive skin. My kitchen was a mess and my husband a supportive partner.

I enjoyed working with my hands, blending colors and pouring wax. This allowed me the space to think and process what my body had been through. After a few months of doing this I realized I did not want to stop. Even though I had a full time job in community organizing and a toddler to raise, I decided to launch Luna y Tierra. It was a wonderful way to honor our daughter and keep alive the traditions and culture my village had shared with me. What I thought would be a small weekend hobby turned into a beautiful world full of new friends. I began connecting with a community of local artists and makers who were eager to collaborate and share with our city the beauty of a Latinx Community of makers!

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

For folks who may not know Luna y Tierra, we don’t just make candles and botanicals. We create candles with intention that represent a community in rural Mexico. One that created beauty with natural resources and ingredients.

Our candles are not just inspired by these women but my hope is to honor their work and dedication to our village. For a long time while many of the men left for the states in search of work, these women kept our village moving forward. Our children were fed and cared for by a community of makers.

So when people ask why our scents and product names are so unique, I remind them that we aren’t just making candles or balms for Instagram. We are keeping alive a tradition and a culture that has been almost forgotten after diaspora.

Our candle scents also have stories highlighting artists like Frida or different places where migration has taken farming communities.

Our products are made with clean burning ingredients in small curated batches. Profits from our sales support organizations fighting for social justice or local nonprofits.

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

I believe that Luna y Tierra is a story of resilience. It has taught me that almost anything is possible. I feel that my story of stillbirth is a story so many women go through. Some speak about it behind closed doors and others try to forget it ever happened. Women often feel that talking about these things is frowned upon. Or honestly we live in a society that is very uncomfortable with pain and emotion.

I wanted to share my story to let others know that this happens and it is okay to talk about it and find support. Women are resilient. We are mothers, caretakers of our communities, in the workforce, artists, makers and human at the end of the day.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think the people who buy our products want to know the backstory. They want to know that the products are made by a person who is like them.

I feel that more and more people are using their purchasing power to support local and small businesses. They want to see their money and contributions circulated in their communities.

I also think that our products speak for themselves. We have woven together a desert theme with unique earthy yet sweet fragrances and an eye catching boho color scheme. We have blended Spanish and English to help name our candles. I think folks can really see the intention I put into each candle and the joy I feel knowing there is a little piece of my village in each home.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lunaytierra.co/
• Instagram: #LunaTierra2017

Image Credits
Pictures of Dylan and I are by Columbus, OH Photographer Katie Forbes