We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Remon Henes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Remon, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
The idea for my creative services business, Dot Lemon, grew from a deep-rooted belief in the power of storytelling to bridge cultures and spark human connection. Before I moved to Washington, DC, I worked as a senior producer in Egypt during a time of immense political and social change. I witnessed firsthand how stories—especially those rooted in authenticity and emotion—could shape public awareness and create impact.
When I arrived in the U.S., I noticed that many communities, especially in Washington, DC, were rich with untold stories—stories that didn’t fit into the usual political narrative of the city. That’s what inspired me to launch Dot Lemon and DC Zesty Story: a visual storytelling platform that humanizes the city through real people, local businesses, and overlooked voices.
From the beginning, I decided to put our entire marketing budget into creating original community-based content. Projects like DC Zesty Story weren’t just creative—they were our way of giving back and building trust. The community started responding once we gave DC a platform to share its voice. People began reaching out to share their stories, and eventually, organizations took notice. That’s how we started working with the DC government, among others. It showed me that when you invest in your community, the community invests back.
Remon, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Remon Henes, a creative producer, storyteller, and founder of Dot Lemon. For over 17 years, I’ve been creating visual stories—documentaries, commercials, and narrative-driven content that connect people through shared emotion and perspective.
I began my career in Egypt as a journalist and senior producer at ON TV Network, where I worked on Akher Kalam with Yosri Fouda—one of the country’s most respected political talk shows during a time of major change. That experience shaped my belief that storytelling, when done with authenticity, can spark real dialogue and bring people together.
Over seven years ago, I moved to the United States to continue my creative journey. Not long after, in 2018, I led the creation of EL-Saha, a digital storytelling platform under the Voice of America umbrella. My goal was to connect audiences between Cairo and Washington, D.C., building cultural bridges through fresh, engaging content. That spirit of connection became the foundation for everything that followed.
I launched Dot Lemon with that same intention—telling stories that matter, with heart and humanity at the center. Today, Dot Lemon is a full-service production company based in D.C., known for its emotional storytelling, distinctive editing style, and bilingual content in English and Arabic. We’ve worked with organizations like the DC Government, Georgetown University, the World Bank, and many mission-driven brands who want their stories to genuinely resonate.
One of the most meaningful decisions I made was to take our entire marketing budget and pour it into original storytelling. Instead of running ads, I launched DC Zesty Story—a platform dedicated to showcasing the human side of D.C. through local creatives, small businesses, and community voices. That investment in the community became our best promotion. People began reaching out, wanting to be featured or collaborate—and soon, those conversations turned into partnerships and clients.
At the core of all my work is a belief in the power of stories to reflect who we are, challenge how we see the world, and bring people closer. Whether it’s a short film, brand piece, or community doc, I’m here to create work that’s not just seen—but felt.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes—my creative journey is grounded in the belief that storytelling can be a tool for healing and visibility. I’m drawn to the quiet, deeply personal moments—like when someone shares their fear of being seen for who they are, or the way daily life is shaped by forces like identity, trauma, or systemic violence. I’ve met people who transform that pain into purpose—through art, through love, through simply existing with honesty. That kind of courage inspires the stories I choose to tell. My mission is to build a platform where those stories are not only heard, but honored—because I believe when we share the human side of a city, we make space for empathy, change, and connection.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I remember one of the most powerful moments I captured for DC Zesty Story—a man who stood outside a busy D.C. corner every day, selling newspapers, helping with traffic, and greeting strangers with genuine warmth. Most people passed by without a second glance, but his presence was steady. He told me about a day when a woman ignored him—twice—and was nearly killed crossing the street. He helped save her life. Not because anyone asked him to. Just because it was the right thing to do.
He had been through a lot—battles between right and wrong, setbacks, and silence—but he kept choosing to do good. His story reminded me that resilience isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s just about showing up every day, doing what you can, and trusting that someone, somewhere, sees you.
That conversation hit home. When I moved to the U.S., I had to start over. No network, no guarantees—just a vision and a camera. There were plenty of quiet, uncertain days. But like him, I kept showing up. I kept telling stories. And over time, the community responded. Their strength became my inspiration—and reminded me that even the smallest acts of consistency and kindness can echo farther than we think.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dotlemon.com
- Instagram: dczestystory
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dot-lemon/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/dotlemonfilms/
Image Credits
DOT LEMON INC