Meet Brittany Lakes | Owner of The B Better Co.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Lakes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson The B Better Company continues to teach me is the about the power of discipline. I’ve always been a dreamer, someone with many wild ideas-but the hardest part is the action behind turning it all into a reality. I started my business in California, on the cultivation side of Cannabis. I knew that I would eventually return back home to the east coast but also wanted to bring everything that I had learned about this incredible plant with me. I started with a notebook of ideas that I could expand on that would keep me in the industry and decided upon a skincare line. The research of the benefits of medicinal Cannabis and the endocannabinoid system we have in our bodies was fascinating! Soon after, I began experimenting with different butters and oils and The B Better Company was born and 6 months later, we were back home. It was a struggle adjusting to so much while introducing myself to a different demographic of people but such an awesome experience that pushed me past my confidence levels! 5 years later, I am still pretty much in charge of all creations of topicals, labeling, shipping, content creation, and social media so there are days where I don’t feel creative or motivated but I know how important representation of the brand is. I’ve seen the results when the work is done. People assume that Entrepreneurship is all about doing whatever you want, whenever you want but it requires so much intrinsic motivation everyday, no matter what is going on in your personal life! Having a curious 3 year old has really forced to prioritize my wellbeing and a fair work life balance. Being disciplined means having good time management skills, budgeting, and bookkeeping but it also means eating well and getting a good amount of rest!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The B Better Company is a CBD infused topical line that focuses on pain management, stress relief, and xeroderma conditions. I started the business in the fall of 2015, living in California. I had been working on hemp farms at the time for about 4 years. I loved everything about the cultivation process. To the point where I’d feel saddened when harvest season was over! After having the opportunity to grow hemp in my own backyard, I decided to experiment with the plant material to create byproducts. It wasn’t an easy process as I ended up moving back to the east coast, almost immediately after starting the business. This meant new state laws that affected everything from dosage amount to product labels. On top of that, I felt like I was traveling alone into unfamiliar territory because it was so difficult to get retailers to give me a chance. At the time, CBD was so new and even though the east coast was making changes to shift the narrative surrounding Cannabis, it was at a slow pace.

The biggest lesson that I’ve learned along the way is that without risk, there is no reward. I can honestly say that I don’t feel like I have failed at anything when it comes to my business because there was always an underlying lesson that propelled me into my next phase. There were times where I did not have the financial backing, the network/following, or even the confidence to put myself/TBBCo. out there but each risk has proven each time that people love and support the brand. Another lesson that I’ve learned is in the power of social media. Surprisingly, it can be difficult to make the mental switch from viewing social media as a playground of fun to a world of information. I had to do my research on what goes on BTS of a post- how hashtags work, algorithms, ad promotions, etc. It meant being intentional about engaging with my audience and even baring a little bit of who I am in the process.

What I want the world to know about The B Better Company, and Brittany Lakes is that it all started with an idea. I don’t have any fancy degrees or large scale farm. I was just a young girl who made a conscious decision to create something for myself in an industry that I loved. I truly didn’t know where it would take me but I believe that because I was just so proud of myself for taking the 1st steps, it allowed me to just enjoy the journey. I want the world to feel encouraged when it hears my story. Find your gifts and share them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Sooooo, I love food 🙂 The week would be filled to the brim with the goodness! We would definitely stop by Booker’s for a delicious brunch w mimosas. Then one day, we’d take a hike at the Wissahickon trail for some time in nature. Wonderspace is another gem in the city- an interactive art installation for all ages! One of my favorite places is Cultivated Bohemians, a black owned plant store in West Philly. You can get everything from plants, to candles, to skincare, to jewelry. Another West Philly staple is Hibiscus Care, an Irie cafe serving only the best vital foods & smoothies. Depending on the season, we would definitely spend most of our time outdoors!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My friends and family have been my number one supporters! My mom has been with me since the testing phases all throughout all of the highs and lows of business. Everyone is so great about sharing my posts, my business cards, word of mouth, and encouraging words of support. I’m extremely grateful to Good Family Support Services for awarding TBBCo. a grant, for its initiatives in pain management and stress relief that has been extremely helpful in expanding the brand!

Website: www.thebbettercompany.com

Instagram: thebbetter_co