Sunday, August 25th, 2024
Featuring
Summer Solace Tallow - Q&A!
This Supplier Sunday we are excited to share an exclusive Q&A with Summer Solace Tallow. Founder Megan Bre Camp was kind enough to take the time to answer these questions and share her story with us.
Read on to learn more about Summer Solace, Megan’s love for holistic living, misconceptions and must-knows about suet tallow, and advice for small business owners who are just starting out.
Shop Summer Solace Tallow here.
Summer Solace Tallow: Supplier Sunday Q&A
1. What is the story behind Summer Solace Tallow?
The story behind Summer Solace Tallow is deeply rooted in my personal journey and passion for holistic, sustainable living.
My name is Megan Bre Camp, and I'm the founder of Summer Solace Tallow. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, I have indigenous roots in the Vietnamese highlands and the Filipino countryside, which have always fueled my deep connection to the land and animals.
I moved to the Bay Area to further my training in Culinary Arts, transitioning from a cook to a pastry chef and Chocolatier. In 2014, I found myself using my culinary knowledge, particularly in working with animal fats, to help friends whose babies were suffering from eczema and diaper rash. Knowing tallow's soothing and healing properties, I created a prototype tallow-based balm that received phenomenal feedback. This success led me to develop a core line of tallow balms.
Inspired by the regional terroir of Northern California, I wanted to create a product that was effective and deeply connected to the land. I carefully sourced every ingredient, knowing exactly which ranch, farmer, and essential oils would convey the healing spirit I wanted to embed in my products. Within a week, I had my first products ready, obtained my business license, and had my balms picked up by three local stores.
Summer Solace Tallow embodies my belief in the Slow Body Care Movement®, similar to the slow food movement. I know the source of each ingredient, grown within 150 miles of my Oakland studio. The products are made by hand in small batches, using locally sourced, organic suet from Northern California pasture-raised cattle, slow-cooked in copper vessels. This ensures that our offerings—from tallow balms to moisturizing soaps and candles—are not just skincare products but a reflection of a regenerative, fully traceable approach to self-care.
2. How are your products sourced and created? Where do you draw inspiration for new ideas?
Our products are deeply rooted in sustainability and traditional practices, with a strong commitment to quality and integrity. I work with tallow sourced from suet fat, specifically from Stemple Creek Ranch in Northern California, a pioneer in the regenerative farming movement. Every Friday, I transform over 45 pounds of fresh suet—picked up just a day after the cattle are broken down—into nourishing golden tallow. This process, called dry rendering, uses no water or salt, ensuring the purity and potency of the tallow.
Tallow, the rendered fat of ruminant animals like cattle, is a nutrient-dense substance rich in vitamins A, D, E, and B12. The practice of using grass-fed tallow dates back centuries and was traditionally used for soapmaking, candle making, and skincare. Unfortunately, much of this valuable suet fat is discarded in today’s world. By working closely with local ranchers whom I know and trust, all within 150 miles of my Oakland studio, I can ensure the freshness and quality of the fat I use. This close connection allows me to produce balms that are not only incredibly silky and pure but also emotionally resonant—something that feels both new and familiar, deeply connected to our human ancestry.
In addition to tallow, I source other ingredients with the same level of care and attention. For instance, we use calendula flowers from Sonoma Herb Exchange and extra virgin olive oil produced by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to enrich our balms. The essential oils we incorporate are selected with utmost precision, representing the best in natural perfumery. Each balm is carefully poured by hand to maintain its purity, avoiding any whipping that might introduce air and bacteria. We use only glass and stainless steel vessels in our production process, ensuring the highest standards of hygiene and quality.
Inspiration for new ideas often comes from my respect for traditional practices and my desire to preserve them in a way that resonates with modern needs. The integrity, community, inclusion, sustainability, tradition, transparency, and passion that define Summer Solace Tallow guide our creativity and innovation. We’re dedicated to the Slow Body Care Movement®, ensuring that every product we make is slow-made, by hand, and crafted with intention. Our offerings are designed for the whole family, including those with the most sensitive skin.
Serving our Bay Area community at farmers markets, curated marketplaces, and through our website, we’re supported by our customers, small retailers, and word of mouth. This connection to our community is invaluable, and we’re deeply grateful for the trust and support we’ve received.
4. Are there any misconceptions about tallow-based products? What challenges have you faced in the tallow industry?
One of the common misconceptions about tallow-based products is that they’re greasy or heavy, often associated with outdated or less refined skin care practices. However, the reality is quite different, especially regarding high-quality, sustainably sourced tallow like what we use at Summer Solace. Tallow is a nutrient-rich, clean, and rendered animal fat traditionally derived from the suet of cattle. When sourced and processed correctly, it’s incredibly beneficial for the skin.
A significant challenge in the tallow industry is overcoming these misconceptions and educating consumers about the benefits of tallow-based skincare. This has required a lot of effort in communication and education. Still, it’s also one of the most rewarding aspects of our work—seeing that shift in perception when people realize how nourishing and effective tallow can be.
Working in the holistic skincare industry also presents challenges, particularly around sourcing and quality control. At Summer Solace, we are committed to both environmental sustainability and the health of our customers, which is why we source all of our suet from local Northern California ranches that raise beef cattle on regenerative pastures. This commitment ensures that our regenerative tallow® is fresh and pure and richer in nutrients like Vitamin E, which is up to four times higher in grass-fed tallow than grain-fed.
Our fully traceable process of rendering the suet in-house allows us to maintain the highest quality standards. However, this level of commitment to quality sourcing adds complexities to our supply chain. It requires strong relationships with our suppliers and a deep understanding of regenerative farming practices, which isn’t always straightforward. We’ve also had to navigate competition in the skincare market, where synthetic and cheaper alternatives often dominate. These challenges, however, have only strengthened our resolve to offer a product that is both superior in quality and aligned with our values.
Ultimately, the uniqueness of Summer Solace's tallow products lies in the purity and freshness of our ingredients and our dedication to a fully sustainable and ethical process. This makes our products not just another skincare option but a conscious choice for consumers who care about their health and the planet.
5. Overall, what have been the most significant learnings in starting and growing Summer Solace Tallow?
Starting and growing Summer Solace Tallow has taught me a lot about balance, resilience, and the importance of staying true to my vision. One of the most significant learnings has been managing the intensity of running a business while maintaining a strong focus on self-care. From the beginning, I’ve prioritized caring for myself, understanding that I can’t pour from an empty cup. This means ensuring I rest, I swim, sauna, spend time in nature with my family, and stay connected to the things that inspire and energize me.
Imposter syndrome and burnout are common challenges for entrepreneurs, but I’ve always been confident in my mission with Summer Solace Tallow instead of questioning whether I'm on the right path. My focus is on the journey and how best to navigate it, stay sustainable and obtain capital.
Overwhelm can creep in, especially when managing all aspects of the business - marketing, production, supply chain, finance, and more. I’ve learned to delegate when possible, bringing in help for tasks that aren’t my core strengths. This allows me to focus on what I do best and ensures that I’m not spreading myself too thin.
Building a support system has also been crucial. Connecting with mentors, other entrepreneurs, and a community of like-minded individuals has provided valuable insights and encouragement. I’ve learned to embrace flexibility and adapt to challenges as they arise, always keeping the core values of Summer Solace at the forefront.
Ultimately, the journey of growing Summer Solace Tallow has been about staying grounded in my purpose, caring for myself, and continually learning and adapting. Every challenge has been an opportunity for growth, and I’m committed to building this brand in a way that aligns with my values and vision.
6. What has been your favorite thing about building Summer Solace Tallow?
My favorite thing about building Summer Solace Tallow has been educating customers and the broader community about the benefits of our regenerative tallow®. Seeing people's positive reactions to the environmental and health advantages of using suet tallow from regeneratively raised cattle is incredibly rewarding. Watching our brand grow and witnessing how our message resonates with more and more people is a deeply fulfilling experience. Every step of this journey, from sourcing sustainable ingredients to crafting our products by hand, has been a testament to our commitment to making a positive impact.
7. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own business or in the early stages of a new business?
My biggest advice for anyone thinking about starting their own business or in the early stages of one is to approach it with unwavering dedication and passion. Whatever you choose to do, commit to it fully and give it your all. Having 100% faith in what you’re doing is essential because that belief in yourself and your mission will carry you through the inevitable challenges and moments of doubt.
It’s normal to struggle with self-doubt—many of us do—but let that doubt fuel your determination rather than hold you back. Trust that the hard work you’re putting in will pay off, and stay connected to the passion that led you to start your business in the first place. Passion will keep you motivated on the tough days, and dedication will help you overcome obstacles.
Remember that building something meaningful takes time, and it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away. Focus on your progress, no matter how small, and keep moving forward with confidence in your vision. The results will follow if you stay true to your purpose and work hard.
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A huge thanks to Megan for taking part in this Q&A!
By supporting Aware House, you are supporting the many small business suppliers that we work with, and we couldn't be more thankful!
