Meet The Founder: Cadance Bell and Matthew R. Young
Wayflair, the passion project of Cadance Bell and Matthew R. Young, is here to unmake prejudice and tell stories inclusively.
Matthew said the stories they tell are universal to the human experience.
“Wayflair tells modern tales of the human experience,” he explained. Cadance added, “We want to make a path for other LGBTIQ+ people easier so they can know themselves.”
For Cadance, a transgender writer and filmaker, she has always wanted to be two things. A girl who tells stories. And today, she is both.
“It’s been a long road to get here but I’ve found an incredible sense of purpose and confidence in my identity,” she said. “What excites me about our work is the people we work with and the impact that we have.”
Of their impact, Matthew said it is about working to make LGBTIQ+ content a part of mainstream content options.
“It’s a shame when you hear things like queer content doesn’t sell. The reality is that it has the power to connect and change people’s perspectives,” he said.
“We need it to allow people to gain knowledge and understanding of what it is like for other people.
“We’re not interested in keeping the LGBTIQ+ and other minority communities a niche category. We’re trying to create equality.”
“The need is there - we’re just rising to the occasion to meet it. Brands and businesses need to be able to connect with people. We can help them communicate and tell an impactful story that fosters something beautiful.”
Image description: Headshots of Cadance and Matthew on the left and text ‘Cadance Bell & Matthew Young ,Co-Founders, Wayflair. Wayflair unmakes prejudice through storytelling. Wayflair is a next gen entertainment company telling modern, relatable tales which include LGTBQIA+ artists, protagonists and crew. Learn more at poplabs.com.au’ on the right on a white background.
They both agree the experience of being included in Poplabs Cohort One has been life changing.
“It has been intense,” Cadance shared. “It has let me look behind the curtain and help me bridge the artistic part of myself and the part that must find a way to make money and survive in a system which is rapidly growing in equality.
“The incubator has helped me accept I can be who I am, be kind, and still find my place and success.”
For Matthew, it has allowed him to assess what he needs to work on to get ahead.
“Together the Cohort is a powerful think tank and it’s been nice to connect with other creative founders who are also going through the wars to create something from nothing.
“I feel like it has given me a support network and that we’re treated as humans, not just businesses.”
Come and unmake prejudice with Wayflair at wayflair.com.au/
