Celebrating National Small Business Day: Homebody MN, a Trans-Owned Business Spreading Joy & Representation

For National Small Business Day, QUEERSPACE collective is thrilled to spotlight a favorite of ours: Homebody MN, a proudly Trans-owned business known for its personality-filled candles, clever product names, and commitment to community care. Our Social Media Intern, Michael, had the pleasure of interviewing the owner about their journey, inspirations, and the impact of proudly weaving their identity into the business.

1. Why is it important for you to put that you’re “proudly Trans-owned” on your products? It was a phrase I realized I hadn't seen much of, and it feels powerful. The predominant narrative around Trans people often centers struggle, harm, and trauma. Being able to associate Transness with something joyful and positive is beautiful. Trans people are human and experience both these negatives and positives of life. For me, claiming Trans joy and sharing it through my business is a kind of rebellion, pushing back against stereotypes and holding more space for the full spectrum of Trans experiences.

   
   

2. How did this business come to be? It all started with a simple interest in candles and finding out how many chemicals are packed into most of them. I wanted to create a better, cleaner option, and from there, things just snowballed.

   
   

3. It also says that you “donate 5% of profits”. Can you share more about that and why you chose to include giving back in your business model? We exist in a community, not in isolation. Our success cannot happen without community, so we would like to be able to give back to it. We are a company that is deeply rooted in values, and we want to uphold those by giving back to our community that supports us.

   
   

4. You have such great clever names for your candles, with my personal favorite being “Cheers, Queers”. How do you come up with such clever names? I think a lot about the business and sometimes I'll be lying down and they'll just pop in my head. It just happens naturally and I love hearing what resonates with people! I think they're a big catch as they are full of joy and cleverness. Coming up with the names is a balance between them being clever while also highlighting Queer and Trans people. Our goal is for you to have a candle that not only smells good but also one with a message you can proudly display in your home.

   
   

5. I noticed you have subscription boxes that include not only a candle but a selection of books that highlight women, people of color, and other marginalized authors and characters. How does this literature influence representation? There is definitely a limited representation of Transness, especially Trans men in media. Literature, such as young adult fantasy books, is helping to fill that gap as more Trans authors and characters emerge. Books help give people voices who systematically have had theirs silenced, allowing for more diverse representation to occur.

   
   

6. Would you say your identity has had an effect on this business? This business is a manifestation of me in the world. My identity and this business are intertwined, leading to my own values being similar to this business. These values range from being eco-friendly, amplifying diverse voices, and bringing joy to people.

   
   

7. What would you say are your favorite parts about your reading retreats? It surprised me just how powerful the community was. The activities are a lot of fun, but having that sense of connection, feeling safe, and being fully present are probably my favorite parts. Being able to have this space in this political climate is incredibly powerful.

   
   

8. Do you have any advice for other Transgender individuals aspiring to start a business? I’d ask them: Are you planning to be openly Trans? It is a big decision that affects your business journey. There are both strengths and weaknesses to it. It is incredibly powerful to have that logo as it draws in people who have similar values. Yet, it also brings in negatives, as Transphobic people may target you. Ultimately, being open is a personal choice! You don’t have to disclose your identity to be successful.