We recently connected with Patrice Lightner and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrice, thanks for joining 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.

Actually, in my childhood, I stumbled across tools that my great grandmother had on her back porch. During her era, my family’s history came from farming. My grandmother, Susan her daughter had already shared many lessons with me and my sisters such as cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, and more.

I discovered my great grandmother making soap with the use of lye. Cleanliness was a daily practice in my family; used in a variety of regiments. My fondest memories came from baths, washing clothes, folding clothes, hanging up clothes on a clothes line to dry. The scents and fragrances brings back several memories of the past. The feeling of simplicity, joy, happiness, laughter and unity.

This is what inspired me to start our business.

Patrice, 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?

The introduction started through my grandmother, Susan. She was skilled at so many quality skill sets within the home. She could cook, sew, decorate, garden, can fruits and vegetables into pickling, jelly preserves, quilt and bake. Most of all, she was a Beautician. My great grandmother did some of these, but what caught my attention was that she made soap in her house.

Brenton’s Bars started during COVID because I was searching for a quality home business to help people. We had a Blackout during this time, we used lots of store bought candles. We burned them throughout the night and noticed the black soot. So we looked at the making of Soy Candles and decided to make candles and soap.

We practiced at home for about 6 months learning from popular makers on YouTube. We learned and became pretty good producers. We introduced our products to a community on / near a farm. Every time we had a customer, they had a new request. Lotion or a Moisturizer Bar, Bathbombs, Shower Fizzies, Sugar Scrubs, Wax Melts.

Before we knew it we had expanded our product lines. We offer Nature Based products that help heal and improve skin over time. Our main soap bases are: Goat’s Milk, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera Oatmeal, Honey , Tripple Butter and sometimes Charcoal.

Our sugar Scrubs include: Mango Butter, Shea Butter, Grapeseed Oil, Avocado/ Olive Oil and Sweet Almond Oil. We choose this combination because some people are allergic to Coconut. We use Mica as our color for all of our products.

Our Candles are 100% Soy #464 Grade. This allows our customers to use as a moisturizer.

All of our products sell great for people who appreciate Nature Based products. We invest alot into our high-grade and high-quality group of natur based products. The fragrances are Nature Based as well.

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

Simply, my 2nd paycheck fun’s my business with smart purchasing. Finding great deals and sales often. Like buying quality check out bags, vessels for candles and more. If I get anything from an income tax return, I buy in bulk to build an inventory for the business.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was laid off and looking for work in my same field; friends and acquaintances were quiet. I exhausted my 401ks, to the point of an eviction. I approach my closest family members whom I had helped many times over. They all turned their backs on me. I was single in my early 20’s helping them relocate to the area with their families. Hosting them during summer and holiday visits. Here I was distraught with my son in his final 2 years of high school. We slept in our car for a couple of days. We lived in a shelter for 6 months. We lived in a couple of hotels for almost 7 years and a rent house for a year.

I almost gave up and lost hope. It was a total shock to realize being family didn’t include others being family to me when I finally was in need. A particular family member actually celebrated my losses; this hurt deep down to my core. But GOD . . . would not let me give up or roll up and die. My son needed me to fight and a blessing came.

I have continuously worked and build this company outside of working hours. We have been receiving support from the kindness of strangers and a bonus family member. A couple of other family members have come in and supported here and there.

We have just kept on working and showing up. Our Brand knowledge has been introduced through Pop-ups / Farmer’s Markets. Our face-to-face customers really love our products. We have several repeat customers and hope to grow our online ordering. You can find our website here:
www.brentonsbarsllc.com

We are working to update our product photos and quantities soon!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brentonsbarsllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BrentonsBars
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrentonsBars
• Yelp: Brenton’s Bars

Image Credits

Patrice Lightner
Brenton Lightner (son)
Bessie Lightner (my mother) ~ Aunt Bessie’s Candles