Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lucas Blair. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Lucas thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The Paradise Tribute Series brand was started by Lucas Blair in 2019 as a way to reconnect with a community that had been scattered across the country in the aftermath of the 2018 Camp Fire. Like so many others, Lucas experienced the shared trauma of sudden loss… Loss of home, of place, and of the everyday familiarity that once defined life on the ridge. In the wake of that loss came a deep need for connection, both with others and with a place that no longer looked or felt the same.
“As life-altering as this event was – and it truly was for everyone involved – I knew the community, myself included, needed tangible ways to process something so overwhelming.”
After losing not just structures but an entire landscape, including centuries-old trees, recognizable landmarks, and the natural beauty that made Paradise feel like home, Lucas turned to creating as a way to process. What began as a personal outlet became a question: what could bring that feeling of Paradise back, even in a small way?
That question led to the creation of Paradise Tribute Series, with the intention of designing and curating quality goods that feel nostalgic, familiar, and deeply rooted in place. The brand began with a line of hand-poured soy candles with scents like Paradise Pine, Paradise Lake, Skyway Sunset, Johnny Appleseed, and Rain on the Ridge. Each one inspired by the sensory experience of life on the ridge. The smell of pine trees, the damp forest floor after a storm, etc. These weren’t just fragrances, they were memories.
What was meant to be a quiet, personal healing project quickly grew into something much larger. After opening an Etsy shop, orders began coming in from across the country. From members of the displaced ridge community who had resettled in every corner of the United States, and even from a service member stationed overseas. These candles became more than products; they became small, tangible pieces of home, sent to people searching for connection, comfort, and remembrance.
As the response grew, so did the vision. Paradise Tribute Series expanded beyond candles into a full line of goods, and began showing up at local events. Booths became gathering spaces where people could reconnect, share stories, and support something that reflected their shared experience. Stickers, bandanas, tote bags, ornaments, and more joined the lineup. Each item continuing the mission of honoring the ridge and the people who call it home.
From that growth came the launch of a sister brand, Pine & Flume Supply Co., which broadened the focus to celebrate the greater ridge region and the surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills. With an emphasis on quality apparel and lifestyle goods, Pine & Flume was built for both locals and those who feel connected to the area through recreation and exploration. Designs featuring places like Butte Creek, Bille Park, Sawmill Peak, Paradise Lake, and the historic flumes help tell the story of a region defined by natural beauty and ongoing renewal.
As the brand evolved, so did its role within the community. Pine & Flume Supply Co. now partners with local businesses and organizations to provide small-batch custom apparel and promotional goods. Helping keep resources and support within the ridge. Collaborations with groups like Ridge Top Parlor and the Paradise Recreation and Parks District reflect a shared commitment to rebuilding not just infrastructure, but identity and pride.
With that growth comes a deep sense of responsibility. Every product created is seen as a representation of the ridge itself… Something that might be worn in town, in Chico, or across the country. It’s an opportunity to spark curiosity, to invite someone to visit, or to remind someone of a place they love. That impact isn’t taken lightly.
At its core, Paradise Tribute Series, as well as the evolution of its sister brand, Pine & Flume Supply Co., is about more than products. It’s about storytelling, healing, and connection. What started as a deeply personal attempt to process loss and reconnect with a dispersed community has grown into something that continues to bring people together, celebrate the ridge’s resilience, and help shape its next chapter.
For Lucas, there’s a piece of himself in everything he creates. And that intention, to lead with heart, has been there from the very beginning. What started as a search for connection has become a way to contribute to something larger: a renewed sense of place, pride, and possibility for the ridge community.
You can follow both Paradise Tribute Series (@ParadiseTributeSeries) and Pine & Flume Supply Co. (@PineAndFlumeSupplyCo) on Instagram to show some love and follow their growth!
Lucas, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I was born with that creative itch. Growing up, I always leaned into creative outlets. After a career as a professional actor for over twelve years, as well as entrepreneurial avenues like professional photography, design, marketing, etc. I quickly learned that everything I do NEEDS to come from my heart. That’s what fuels my soul and keeps me sane. As a queer, left-handed virgo with ADHD, I recognize that these traits are exactly why I gravitate towards artistic expression, while prioritizing quality, craftsmanship and detail that is always rooted in love and the human experience. I apply it to everything I do and because of it, I can’t help but wonder if that’s why people gravitate towards our brands. Because it all stems from authenticity…
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Before moving to Paradise pre-fire, I was warned about the town’s overwhelming conservative energy… Hearing of experiences based in racism and homophobia where hateful groups overpowered anything inclusive or progressive, which had stunted the town’s cultural growth and kept it from reaching its full, diverse, potential… I was discouraged to hear that before moving to Paradise and making my own observation of my new town.
After the fire, I was asked by multiple folks, “Why move back to Paradise? Wouldn’t you be happier in Chico where there’s more culture and less… Hate?” To be honest, it felt like they were trying to run me out of town. The lesson I had to unlearn was that Paradise is not a conservative, bigoted town… Instead, Paradise will become the town we all collectively want it to be… Since the 2018 Camp Fire, this experience has presented every single one of us with a blank slate and the opportunity to build a community that’s exactly the way we want it. Why wouldn’t I want to stay and help it become more inclusive, diverse and contribute to its new and exciting chapter? I freaking love this town! I think every town needs diversity… More ‘seasoning’ if you will… And if my living here and running a small business can help with that, then let’s go! Unlearning someone else’s lived experience on the ridge allowed me to dive in with my own perspective.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
As an entrepreneur Ive worked multiple jobs simultaneously for over ten years… After recently getting laid off from my 9-5’s, I was thankful to fall into my passion projects… My Paradise Tribute Series and Pine & Flume Supply Co brands. Without them, and without our amazing ridge community, who knows where I would be today. This community shows up for its people. And I’m honored to call myself a resident of the ridge.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ParadiseTributeSeries, @PineAndFlumeSupplyCo, @LucasBlairCreative
Image Credits
Photography by Lucas Blair Creative
(forest floor & flume candle shot by Wild at Hart Imagery)