When People Don’t See What You See
You have something important to say — and the support you need depends on people truly understanding it. So you've tried to explain it. You've tried working with people to help you tell it. But so far, no one has actually gotten it — no one has translated your vision, or your ask, into a message clear and compelling enough to move people to act.
When your message doesn't land, the support stalls, the right people never fully understand what you're asking, and the impact you're capable of stays just out of reach.
When your message doesn't land, the support stalls, the right people never fully understand what you're asking, and the impact you're capable of stays just out of reach.
Three Steps One Clear Path
Shine
Tell us what you need to say
A real conversation about your vision, your ask, and the outcome you're after — fundraising, enrollment, recruitment, or a legacy worth preserving.
Show
We build the visual strategy
We identify what actually needs to be shown, and who needs to tell it, so your message finally lands the way you meant it to.
Inspire
We bring your message to life
Film, documentaries, podcast, or campaign — built to help people finally understand, and act.
From Vision
To Action
Imagine funders quickly understanding your impact. Volunteers stepping forward because they see where they fit. Families enrolling because they finally understand what you offer. Donors giving because they trust why it matters.
When your story is clear and human, people know how to respond.
That's the work we do every day.
When your story is clear and human, people know how to respond.
That's the work we do every day.
Start my project
“I believe the most important stories aren’t the ones that go viral. They’re the ones that change lives and make the world a better place— those are the stories I love to tell!”
Yami Lima
Founder & Creative Director
Founder & Creative Director
The Sunlit Difference
Clarity that Drives Results
We start with understanding, not a camera. We help you clearly define what matters most, organize complex information, and shape a story that funders, donors, and decision-makers can quickly grasp and act on.
We start with understanding, not a camera. We help you clearly define what matters most, organize complex information, and shape a story that funders, donors, and decision-makers can quickly grasp and act on.
Authenticity You Can Feel
Our stories are grounded in real people, real experiences, and real outcomes — honest storytelling that respects the people behind the work and earns trust.
Our stories are grounded in real people, real experiences, and real outcomes — honest storytelling that respects the people behind the work and earns trust.
Partnership, Not Just Production
We work alongside you — asking thoughtful questions, guiding decisions, and supporting your work over time. Many clients come for a film and stay for the partnership.
We work alongside you — asking thoughtful questions, guiding decisions, and supporting your work over time. Many clients come for a film and stay for the partnership.
Systems Thinking, Applied to Story
Sunlit is shaped by real experience leading complex, regulated programs. We understand how decisions are evaluated, what accuracy requires, and how to communicate nuance without losing clarity — so stories hold up to scrutiny and support informed funding decisions.
Sunlit is shaped by real experience leading complex, regulated programs. We understand how decisions are evaluated, what accuracy requires, and how to communicate nuance without losing clarity — so stories hold up to scrutiny and support informed funding decisions.
See What's Possible .
Visit NC Farms
The NC Department of Agriculture needed people to feel the program, not just read about it.
See the story
Wheels for Hope
Donations were slipping. We stopped asking and started showing what a car actually changes.
See the story
Your Vision Deserves To Be Seen, Heard, And
Supported
In 2015, Yami Lima created a simple fundraising video for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to support a friend's son battling leukemia. The film helped raise more than $50,000 — and revealed something powerful: when stories are told with honesty and clarity, people respond.That moment planted the seed for what would later become Sunlit, a storytelling practice dedicated to helping impact-focused people and organizations clearly communicate the value of their work.
Before founding Sunlit, Yami spent 25 years as a professional engineer and program manager in the aerospace and medical device industries. With a background in Industrial Engineering and an MBA, she brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, systems expertise, and storytelling to impact-focused work. Her experience helps translate complex programs into clear narratives that connect with donors, funders, and communities.
The name Sunlit reflects something deeply personal. Yami has always found perspective and renewal in nature — walking under open skies, surrounded by trees, or stepping outside when clarity is needed. Nature has a way of reminding us what matters most. In the same spirit, Sunlit exists to bring important work into the light, helping others see the purpose, the people, and the impact behind it.
Before founding Sunlit, Yami spent 25 years as a professional engineer and program manager in the aerospace and medical device industries. With a background in Industrial Engineering and an MBA, she brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, systems expertise, and storytelling to impact-focused work. Her experience helps translate complex programs into clear narratives that connect with donors, funders, and communities.
The name Sunlit reflects something deeply personal. Yami has always found perspective and renewal in nature — walking under open skies, surrounded by trees, or stepping outside when clarity is needed. Nature has a way of reminding us what matters most. In the same spirit, Sunlit exists to bring important work into the light, helping others see the purpose, the people, and the impact behind it.
Our Mission
To contribute to a better world by helping impact-driven organizations clearly communicate the amazing value of their work, through honest, human-centered storytelling—so the right people understand their work and know how to support it.
Guiding Principles
Authenticity
We believe real stories are enough. No exaggeration, no performance—just honesty, care, and respect for the people and communities at the center of each story.
Clarity
People can’t support what they don’t understand. We help distill complex work into stories that are grounded, human, and immediately clear—especially for funders and decision-makers.
Joy
We believe how the work feels matters. Our process is thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded—creating a working relationship that is sustainable, respectful, and energizing for everyone involved.
Integrity
We tell stories with responsibility and respect. We say what we mean, honor the truth, and follow through—every time.
Partnership
We don’t hand off deliverables and disappear. We work alongside you, ask thoughtful questions, and build trust over time.
Impact
Our work is meant to support real outcomes. Not attention for its own sake, but understanding that leads to action, support, and lasting change.
What our Clients Say
Best Film to Align with my Business Goals
"Sunlit didn’t just create an incredible film for Blush—they guided me from scratch, helping develop concepts and coaching me through the process. Her support made me feel confident and comfortable, allowing us to create the best film to align with my business goals. The result was both visually stunning and highly effective."
- Alison Rogers, Business Owner
Cary, NC
The Right Partner to Tell the Story
"Yami is incredibly knowledgeable and brings a level of professionalism from her corporate background that you can really feel. We raised $50,000 from the gala, and then used the assets for a Giving Tuesday campaign and raised an additional $25,000 — $75,000 total. When you're trying to raise money, telling the story properly is key. And that's exactly what she does. She's the first person I think of when I have a project. I completely trust her vision."
Nicole, NBM Publishing
Chapel Hill, NC
A Series That Brought Donors and Volunteers In
"We had written documents and pictures, but nothing at the level of professionalism you need today. Yami led the charge — She made everything so easy.We ran the films last November and December and had a really good year-end for fundraising. The head of fundraising for the Salvation Army on the West Coast saw them and said, "a lot of good results coming from this. Yami is enthusiastic, smart, efficient, and a wonderful communicator. Everything about it was just wonderful."
Tim Gabriel, Founder Little World Charity
Raleigh, NC
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do You Do This Work?
In 2015, Yami was thriving in her corporate career and creating films for fun—until a close friend’s son was diagnosed with leukemia. Wanting to help, she created a fundraising video for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which raised over $50,000 and revealed the power of storytelling to drive real impact.
That experience changed everything. She saw firsthand how a clear, compelling story could move people to action—whether to fund a cause, engage a community, or rally support for a mission. That’s why she founded Sunlit—to help nonprofits and mission-driven organizations tell the right story, to the right people, in the right way—so their impact isn’t just seen, but truly felt.
That experience changed everything. She saw firsthand how a clear, compelling story could move people to action—whether to fund a cause, engage a community, or rally support for a mission. That’s why she founded Sunlit—to help nonprofits and mission-driven organizations tell the right story, to the right people, in the right way—so their impact isn’t just seen, but truly felt.
Who Do You Work With?
We partner with impact-focused people and organizations — nonprofits, foundations, mission-driven programs, and families with a legacy worth preserving. Whether you need to secure funding, grow enrollment, or bring in the right people, we help you translate your story into something clear and compelling that moves people to act.
What's Your Process?
We follow a three-step approach designed to help nonprofits and mission-driven organizations turn their impact into stories that inspire action, deepen donor engagement, and drive results.
Clarity Before Cameras – We work with you to refine your message and identify the most compelling story that aligns with your mission and goals.
Storytelling That Connects – We bring your story to life through strategic, emotionally engaging content designed to move donors, funders, and communities to action.
Impact-Driven Distribution – A great story only works if the right people see it. We help you share your content strategically—whether through fundraising campaigns, donor outreach, or community engagement—so your story delivers real impact.
How Long Does It Take?
Most projects take 6-8 weeks for story finding and production. Growth strategy and distribution are tailored to your specific needs and goals.
How Involved Will You Be?
You’ll collaborate with us during Story Finding to ensure your message is clear and aligned with your mission. After that, we take care of the heavy lifting, keeping you informed every step of the way—so you can stay focused on the work that matters most.
Clarity Before Cameras – We work with you to refine your message and identify the most compelling story that aligns with your mission and goals.
Storytelling That Connects – We bring your story to life through strategic, emotionally engaging content designed to move donors, funders, and communities to action.
Impact-Driven Distribution – A great story only works if the right people see it. We help you share your content strategically—whether through fundraising campaigns, donor outreach, or community engagement—so your story delivers real impact.
How Long Does It Take?
Most projects take 6-8 weeks for story finding and production. Growth strategy and distribution are tailored to your specific needs and goals.
How Involved Will You Be?
You’ll collaborate with us during Story Finding to ensure your message is clear and aligned with your mission. After that, we take care of the heavy lifting, keeping you informed every step of the way—so you can stay focused on the work that matters most.
What Makes Sunlit Different?
Sunlit isn’t just another video production company—we are a strategic storytelling partner led by Yami Lima, a systems engineer, MBA, and former StoryBrand Certified Guide. With a background in corporate strategy, problem-solving, and audience-driven storytelling, Yami brings a unique blend of analytical thinking and creative vision to every project.
Unlike traditional agencies that focus solely on visuals, Sunlit ensures that your story is clear, compelling, and strategically aligned with your goals—so your content doesn’t just look good, it drives action and impact.
Unlike traditional agencies that focus solely on visuals, Sunlit ensures that your story is clear, compelling, and strategically aligned with your goals—so your content doesn’t just look good, it drives action and impact.
How Does Your Engineering & Business Background Benefit My Project?
With a systems engineering mindset, Yami approaches every project with precision, structure, and problem-solving expertise. Her MBA adds a layer of business strategy, ensuring that your storytelling isn’t just engaging—it’s purpose-driven and aligned with your organization’s growth goals.
Her StoryBrand experience as a former certified guide guarantees that your message is clear, audience-focused, and emotionally compelling.The result? Content that builds trust, engages funders, and turns storytelling into a tool for real impact.
Her StoryBrand experience as a former certified guide guarantees that your message is clear, audience-focused, and emotionally compelling.The result? Content that builds trust, engages funders, and turns storytelling into a tool for real impact.
How Much is The Investment
The cost of a project depends on the scope, complexity, and strategic needs of your organization.
The starting investment for a typical film — including social cuts, strategy, and launch support is $4,500 to $5,000. The story is built to drive real fundraising, enrollment, or recruitment results — the kind of return that pays for itself many times over.
Every project is scoped around your specific goals, so we'll always start with a conversation about what you need and design solutions that will drive results around your budget.
The starting investment for a typical film — including social cuts, strategy, and launch support is $4,500 to $5,000. The story is built to drive real fundraising, enrollment, or recruitment results — the kind of return that pays for itself many times over.
Every project is scoped around your specific goals, so we'll always start with a conversation about what you need and design solutions that will drive results around your budget.
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple! Our process is designed to be clear, strategic, and stress-free.
- Book a Free Consultation – Choose a time that works for you, and we’ll discuss your goals, challenges, and vision.
- Clarify Your Story – We’ll help you refine your message and identify the most impactful story to tell.
- Create with Strategy – Once your story is clear, we handle the heavy lifting—crafting compelling content that inspires action.
- Book a Free Consultation – Choose a time that works for you, and we’ll discuss your goals, challenges, and vision.
- Clarify Your Story – We’ll help you refine your message and identify the most impactful story to tell.
- Create with Strategy – Once your story is clear, we handle the heavy lifting—crafting compelling content that inspires action.
Messaging Clarity
Audience Definition
Website & Digital Presence
Content and Video Usage
Value Proposition
Growth Strategy
Get in touch
Get in touch
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