Today we’d like to introduce you to Gretchen Bashara.
Hi Gretchen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Purple Rain Lavender, founded in 2011, is the first lavender company in Fallbrook. Our company has flourished annually, building lasting relationships and trust that have expanded our loyal customer base. My creativity and passion for the business inspire me to create quality products.
In 2011, I faced many difficult decisions. My husband had owned a real estate office in Carlsbad for many years and was battling liver cancer, recovering from a severe femur injury due to a tragic accident. As a wife and mother of three, my responsibilities changed drastically. My oldest son was in college, my second son had just graduated high school, and my youngest daughter was still in high school. I transformed from a wife and mother into a nurse, caretaker, farmer, and provider. I needed to step up to become the sole provider for our family.
Unfortunately, due to managing my family’s needs, mortgage, and medical bills, we had to sell our home—where our children grew up—during a downturn in the market. After selling, we moved to our property, which is now the home of Purple Rain Lavender.
I had a few options: pursue real estate since I had my real estate license, go back to being a flight attendant, or create a business that would allow me to earn an income while being a full-time caregiver. My creative thoughts made me take advantage of my land and love for nature. I resolved to establish a business to help people heal naturally through herbs and nature. My decision to grow lavender stemmed from understanding its numerous medicinal properties and benefits. With determination and motivation, I set out to make it work.
I spoke to my son, who agreed to help with the hard labor and care for his father. My husband underwent 15 surgeries over three years due to stage four liver cancer. We faced multiple weekly doctor’s appointments, emergency calls, physical therapy, and hospital stays—often more than ten visits a month for three years. While caring for my husband, Daniel and I cleared a section of our land, brought in tractors and Kubotas, tilled the soil, installed an irrigation system, dug holes, and planted all the lavender cuttings. I couldn’t afford to hire help, so we did it ourselves. The labor was endless, and the situation was stressful and challenging, especially as my husband continued to deteriorate and needed more of our attention. I became a full-time nurse without a degree, managing wound care, IVs, doctor’s meetings, and making critical decisions—experiencing extreme heartbreak and stress.
In a bid to save his life, we chose to have his leg amputated. Unfortunately, he faced complications afterward, and doctors discovered more cancer in his liver during another hospital stay. The doctor had misjudged the urgency of treating the cancer at that stage, and unfortunately, the cancer spread quickly to one of the main arteries. The doctor informed us there was no hope left to save his life once the cancer reached that point. He passed away in 2014.
Now a widow at 50, after being married for 26 years, I was left with minimal funds, no social security, and no financial support. I felt blessed to have my children, a home, health, and heaven in my land. My faith, creativity, determination, and connection to nature have given me the strength to persevere in our business.
My son and I handle everything naturally, including farming, harvesting, distilling, and making all our products by hand. My business is my life; I work from morning until my head hits the pillow at night.
I have faced many challenges in rebuilding my life without support. I’ve cried many tears in my lavender field and prayed for courage and strength to keep going, and my prayers have always come to fruition. I love what I do because it comes from the heart. I strive to provide my customers with quality products that they can trust. We genuinely care.
I sincerely believe in nature’s gifts for healing different ailments naturally. I hope to inspire others to realize they can achieve their goals if they believe in themselves and maintain a positive mindset. My faith in God has given me the strength and perseverance to endure many trials. I am grateful for my blessings and proud of myself and my family. Thank you to all my loyal customers for your continued support. We strive to grow bigger and better every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our journey has been both challenging and rewarding. Over the years, we have discovered more effective methods to enhance our lavender production.
Through these experiences, we have gained extensive knowledge about growing herbs and uncovered many beneficial uses for lavender, particularly its healing properties. We are dedicated and compassionate to supporting the gifts of nature and Eastern medicine in healing before the need for Western medicine. We continually attempt to create beneficial and natural products that provide advantages in skincare, pain relief, and reducing inflammation.
As a result, we have developed the ability to handle issues that arise with greater confidence and ease. Our business operations have become much smoother throughout the years. We constantly learn and strive to create the best quality products possible for our customers.
We’ve been impressed with Purple Rain Lavender, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are Lavender Farmers located in North County, San Diego, California. Established in 2011, we proudly hold the distinction of being the first lavender farm in Fallbrook.
Our farm spans 7 acres, where we grow, harvest, and distill our lavender into essential oil, handmade natural skin care products, and CBD products.
We are recognized for the purity of our essential oils and the high quality of our handmade products.
Our lavender essential oil is truly unique; the soil and the surrounding area contribute to its distinctive aroma. Our hands-on approach to crafting these products and the love and pride we pour into each item sets us apart. We genuinely strive to give our customers the very best.
Our CBD line has received exceptionally positive feedback from clients, many of whom say it works wonderfully and has a fantastic scent. We sell wholesale to massage therapists around San Diego and Riverside counties. The response humbles us, as it aligns with our primary goal of helping customers find relief from pain and inflammation through natural pain remedies.
Many of our customers love our variety of body butter, which is highly effective for treating eczema and dry, chapped skin. It absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, ensuring your skin feels soft and hydrated.
I handcraft each of my candles, ensuring that no two are alike. They add a unique touch to any room and make for thoughtful, personalized gifts.
Our hydrosol, derived from distillation, has multiple benefits for the skin, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties to soothe the skin.
Additionally, our sugar scrub is excellent for healing the skin, treating cysts, opening up pores, and gently exfoliating, resulting in a natural glow.
Our bath salts are perfect for detoxification, relaxation, and promoting skin healing.
We also distill eucalyptus on our property, which we incorporate into select products and natural herbs from our garden.
We are located at several different locations throughout the week, including Welk Resorts, Farmers Market on Monday from 3 to 7,
Little Italy Mercado Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 930 to 130
Oceanside Farmers Market on
Thursdays from 9-1
Oceanside Sunset Market (occasionally)
Thursday from 5 to 9
Little Italy Mercado farmers market Saturdays from 8 to 2
Fallbrook farmers market
Saturdays from 9 to 1:30
La Jolla Open Aire Market (every other)
Sunday from 9 to 1
Rancho, Santa Fe, Farmers Market (Occasionally)
Sundays from 930 to 2.
We participate in several significant events annually. Throughout the week, we usually post about which location we will be at on Instagram.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson is never giving up on something you believe in. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Take one day at a time; while one day might not be good, you always have the next day to look forward to. If you have compassion, love for what you believe in, determination, and willingness, you can achieve your dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://PurpleRainLavender.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PurpleRainLavender/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purplerainlavender
