For Brandon Hawthorne, his partner Ellie and their son Emery, the beach lifestyle is the only lifestyle. So, when it came to creating an income, the family looked no further than the white sandy beaches they call home. Enter Native Fires 30A; a beach bonfire service in Santa Rosa Beach with a side of surfing lessons.
“We love the beach, and this way everyone in the family can participate and enjoy the beach at the same time,” Brandon said. “My son likes to find friends; my girlfriend can lay out and I can enjoy surfing and hosting bonfires.”
This summer marks the second season since launching Native Fires 30A, and Brandon said he learned a lot and improved a lot in his business model since last year.
“Our first year was just getting all our inventory and equipment,” Brandon said. “We were very low-key last year but now we have everything we need, and we are now looking to move forward and grow.”
Native 30A Fires offers different packages depending on the customer’s needs. From an intimate two-person set-up to a private event with 30 or more people. In addition to the bonfire, s’mores materials, tables and chairs, Brandon offers unique add-ons such as a game box, live music and even an attendant to stoke the fire.
“We like to incorporate music so I do have an add-on to have a guitar with your bonfire or you can have an artist come to sing and play,” Brandon said. “I’m an artist myself, so that’s a huge part of the fun. I love that I get to add my passion for music and do a little acoustic gig at some of the bonfires.”
As for the surfing lessons, Brandon said that’s where his true passion lies. He especially loves to teach children like his own son to be more confident in the water.
“Surfing and skateboarding have been a huge part of my life since I was six years old,” Brandon said “I’m 32 now, and I still love to shred. I love to teach kids because it made me so happy back then, and it still does today. I love to teach the kids water safety and even about the water and the animals in it.”
Even eight-year-old Emery gets in on the business all while making friends. Brandon said he takes pride in showing his son the importance of work and owning a business.
“I like to teach him the responsibilities of working and helping out, organizing and having money," Brandon said. "I let him work for me and give him a reward for helping me. Emery likes to help out, especially with the surfing lessons. He can break the ice and help with some kids that are scared on the board. He makes them more comfortable since he is their age."
Native 30A Fires gets its name from the family being Florida natives. Ellie was born and raised on 30A and the couple is now raising their son on the same local beaches. Brandon said the whole goal of the Native 30A Fires is to share the same love his family has for the Emerald Coast beaches with those who are visiting.
“Every time we build a fire for people, our goal is to help them make memories that will last for a lifetime,” Brandon said. “We really enjoy making people happy and showing them what the Emerald Coast has to offer. The sunsets are amazing here so just to be able to have a bonfire with the sunset on the beach; you can’t get any better than that.”