We were lucky to catch up with Brenda Solonoski recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brenda, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Once you follow the flow of your energy and passion, you can understand how my path involving medicinal herbs, energy work, and maintaining a property where retreats and rentals are offered. became a reality. As early as I can remember, I have had a special relationship with nature and energy. I have always viewed “God” and life as energy. In keeping with the laws of motion, one must initiate action to allow opportunities to become available.

After graduating from college, I preferred to live at properties in rural areas. It allowed me to spend time in nature, have several animals, and make friends with people who owned farms. One day when visiting a friend’s farm, he and his neighbor were walking in his field with a forked willow branch attempting to find a new well location. Being in disbelief they could find water that way, I was handed the branch to try my luck. Within a few steps I could feel the branch being pulled to the ground. Wow, what an introduction to energy work! I embraced that knowledge and experimented with it by myself and with friends. A few years later, I felt moved to attend a Reiki class seemingly out of the blue. I knew I had a connection to energy but was surprised at how it would work through me. I became aware of being an empath and the unique ability to work with the energy in people and animals.

When my husband and I were in the market to buy land, we knew we wanted some acreage with fields, woods. and water. The 22 acres we currently maintain and live on was purchased in 1994. Growing medicinal herbs was a priority as I felt the current generations lost knowledge of their value, energy, and use. A house was designed to live in the upper level and utilize the Lower Level as a rental on Airbnb and VRBO. While selling plants and herbal products at farm markets and events, I met several people interested in learning more about medicinal herbs and how to use them. That led to offering Health and Wellness Retreats and workshops which increased the need for more overnight and weekend accommodations. That led to the old log cabin being remodeled, and a Tiny House purchased and located by the creek in the lower field. All 3 locations are offered on Airbnb and VRBO besides groups/individuals can rent the whole property for small weddings, retreats, etc. Products, plants, Reiki sessions, and workshops are still available for guests to purchase and schedule.

Then there was a need for a larger indoor space to host yoga, sound meditations, and workshops, so the pole barn was remodeled and enclosed. A sink and appliances were added to the large pavilion to allow for more usage and two outdoor showers were built to accommodate campers. Seeing the property has a calming and healing feel, special areas were created to visit and a few benches were placed around the property to be able to sit and soak up the energy. Activities such as a 9-hole disc golf course, horseshoe pits, and a level playing field were added for fun.

So once you have an idea and start to follow it, the passion grows and more opportunities. open. Have faith and go for it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I enjoy making all kinds of crafts and herbal products. I have a passion for meeting people and promoting the use of natural and herbal products. I custom make and conduct workshops with steams, teas, elderberry kits, smudges, simmering potpourri, and bath/foot soaks. I am available to offer workshops about herbs and making herbal products at various businesses and personal residences. Reiki sessions and Chakra Clearings can be scheduled at the client’s convenience and location.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My husband and I opened an alternative sport and fun store in the Hershey are. Eventually we opened 3 other stores within a 45 minute drive. After 20+ years of success, we started selling the individual stores as the economy started to slow. We had one remaining store with an interested Buyer when the stock market crashed. As the merchandise we sold was not a necessity, our business suffered. We cut back orders, employee hours, and had to take loans out to pay for the inventory we already had and to pay other monthly bills, I worked part time elsewhere until I got a full time job so that we could keep up with our personal bills. The business eventually sold 2 years later, but for not enough to cover the debt. My husband got a full time job at which he still works. I worked full time until covid hit and the business closed. That was a blessing as I had plenty of time to advance our property rentals and products.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

We had no background in running a business so we were not a candidate for a bank loan. We borrowed some money from parents and a friend besides using money we saved. Luckily the venture paid off and we had repaid everyone within 1-2 years. Then we had some history and qualified for a bank loan.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://burnsvalleyherbalsandretreat.com
• Facebook: Burns Valley Herbals and Retreat
• Youtube: Burns Valley Herbals and Retreat
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Brenda Solonoski