We were lucky to catch up with Rey Contreras recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Rey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
ur journey began in the summer of 2019 with wood-burning bonfire experiences, creating cherished moments for both locals and tourists. However, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in the following summer prompted a profound shift in our perspective.
Observing the newfound pristine condition of our local shorelines during months of minimal human activity, the BLULITE brothers recognized an opportunity for positive change. This transformative moment ignited our vision to pioneer cleaner, brighter bonfires that would be enjoyed responsibly for years to come.
In response to community concerns about unsafe bonfire practices and the environmental impact of traditional materials, we committed ourselves to innovation. By replacing firewood with propane tanks and adopting eco-conscious substitutes for other bonfire amenities, we strive to create beach experiences that not only leave lasting memories but also contribute to the improvement and sustainability of our beach community.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My brother and I started the company to make a positive impact on our beach community by creating a forward thinking beach bonfire experience using cleaner equipment and beach cleaning services. Each one of our beach bonfires comes with a small beach cleanup. We use special tools that allow us to sift out any hazardous materials found in the event space. Once the sand is clean, our team comes out and start to shape the beach area to create a natural seating area for guests to enjoy.
Our goal is to become an asset to each beach community we service by being transparent with our city officials. We take photos of the event space before and after to show proof that we cleanup our area and to show how much harmful material we removed from the beach. The images are then uploaded to our website where anyone can take a look to see our cleaning efforts.
Our vision for a safer and healthier bonfire experience has led us to participate in several community events like the monthly beach cleanup with Purpose First. Our combined efforts and events bring hundreds of locals and visitors to the beach for a day of fun and improvement.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During the growth of our business the City of San Diego made sudden changes to the municipal codes that impacted all beach goers. The changes to the laws created a moment of reflection that led us to expand operations to other cities. The sudden change presented us with an opportunity to get involved more with local government and allowed us to connect with even more of our community. Since these changes we’ve strengthened our bond with our environment and local officials.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
The co-founder of the company is my younger brother Doch Ramirez. When I first decided to start a company I needed someone that I could trust to meet the high standards of my vision. There was no one better suited for this venture than my brother. He is now our CFO and head engineer. His efforts have solidified our connection with our community and he’s been vital to our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blulitebonfires.com
- Instagram: Blulitebonfires
- Facebook: Blulitebonfires
- Linkedin: Blulitebonfires
- Yelp: Blulite Bonfires
Image Credits
Images taken by: Blair Kirby
IG – Kirbybk