Today we’d like to introduce you to Fran Forbes.
Hi Fran, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, I’m Fran and I’m the owner of Fran’s Brew, LLC. I’m a wife, a mother to two small boys, I work in higher education, and I’m a spiritual chandler/candle maker.
We are talking about how and why I stated my business. In March 2020, I went through a very traumatic birth. When I finally got home, the entire world went into lockdown. It was a lot for me to handle. Then my family and I moved from Deerfield Beach, FL to Winter Park, FL in the middle of the pandemic.I lost my village, I lost my freedom to go somewhere as simple as the store comfortably, and I was adjusting as a mother of two.
Whenever things get hard, I always turn inward and to spirituality. For over 20 years, I have always made candles, scents, handwritten intentions, and used crystals to heal and speak to my higher power. I was dealing with some of the hardest things I had ever dealt with in my 30 something years of life and as I prayed and meditated it hit me that I’m not alone. Others are dealing with similar things and my little routine could help others and leave a legacy for my sweet boys. I found my way to leave good in the world!
That is when Fran’s Brew, LLC came to life! I started making candles on a bigger level and doing all the research. I immersed myself into research and testing for six months. When I finally felt comfortable with my brand, I launched Fran’s Brew on March 18th, 2021, exactly one year and ten days after I almost lost my life after giving birth.
I only made 100 candles for my launch, in less than 24 hours my friends and family bought everything. I was in shock. I remember saying, “if I sell one candle, I will be so grateful.”
God, the universe, and the amazing people on my Facebook and Instagram showed up and showed out! Since then, I’ve expanded my line to wax melts, air fresheners, and we now have our first-ever Christmas Collection.
We have done a few farmer’s markets, events, and our brand is sold at a new artisan store in Longwood, Fl named SereniTea Apothecary. I started with praying to sell one candle to actually selling out many times over. It’s so surreal.
I’m so incredibly blessed and I have to pinch myself that people are so interested in my brand. I’m excited for Chakra Candles, Pride Candles, and Astrology Candles in our near future!!!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been interesting but all a great lesson! In the beginning I wanted to have CBD as part of our line. But the cost was great and finding insurance was near impossible. My insurance representative told me it would be easier to drop the CBD after he did about 2 to 3 months of searching. We had no trouble finding insurance for my candle line, but as soon as the CBD part of my line was mentioned it was a deal breaker. Originally, our name was Fran’s Brew CBD, but then I had to change our name through Sunbiz and have our graphic designer re-work our logo so we could open.
It’s our first year and we are ready for the greatness and the obstacles that come our way! It’s all a great lesson in business. My degrees prepared me but this last year has been the hands-on experience that my BA and MSM couldn’t truly give me. Business in any capacity is rolling with the punches, learning the lessons, and growing to be better. That is exactly what I have learned through this past year.
Did you know soy candles can melt if it’s too hot outside? No? Neither did I til I did a market outdoors in June ad saw the crystals on top of my candles swimming around. My face had to be hilarious to the customer in front of me. I learned to bring a cooler for my product and keep samples out as testers. It’s all about learning and growing.
It’s a blessing to be able to share something I love so much with the world and an even bigger blessing that so many love my product.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What truly sets me apart is my product! It’s not just a candle, the scents are blended by me, the intentions are written by me, the crystals are hand-selected, and I make sure to spiritually cleanse my space before creating. These candles can help you set intentions to meet goals, or they can just be a great smelling, clean candle! I use soy wax and clean scents to ensure the safety of my clients and myself.
Some examples of my candles are “Manifest that Money, Honey” which comes with malachite and citrine and scents of honeysuckle and cinnamon. We have a scent “Lovey Dovey” which comes with rose quartz, red jasper, and clear quartz and scents of rose, lavender, and ylang ylang. We currently have 8 scents for different intentions in candles and wax melts. We have 4 scents in our air fresheners.
The thing that makes me different is me! I truly pour my heart and soul into every product with love and adoration for every single client!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory has always been being with family. Every summer I’d visit my older brothers in New York and spend so much time with them. Two of my four brother have passed away since so those memories are near and dear to me. My boys know all about the uncles and we try to visit as much as we can.
Pricing:
- Intention Candles w/ crystals, scent, and intention are only $26
- Our wax melts and air fresheners are only $8
Contact Info:
- Email: FransBrew@gmail.com
- Website: www.FransBrew.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/FransBrewCandles
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FransBrewCandles
Image Credits:
Brenton Forbes
