Preserving Grandma's Traditions: Debbie Hadler Statler shares the inspiration behind her business, Grandma Bea's All-Natural Products

Debbie Hadler Statler, owner of Grandma Bea's All-Natural Products in Perryville, Missouri, has yearned for the simple life since she was a little girl growing up around her grandmother, and Grandma Bea's namesake, Beatrice Hager.

"She always had a way of making do with what she had. My childhood is filled with wonderful memories of canning the latest harvest, dying Easter eggs with beet juice, Grandma crocheting, the garden [and so on]. Pretty much living off their own land and using the resources they had," Statler says. "Even though everyday life was filled with hard work, it just seemed as if life was more simple back in those days ... My desire is that when a customer purchases a Grandma Bea's product, they too can experience a little bit of the feeling of the simpler days of yesteryear."

Grandma Bea's All-Natural Products based in Perryville, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

Statler began selling her homemade laundry soap on Facebook in 2010, and after an overwhelming response, began making deliveries to Cape Girardeau and the surrounding areas.

"My intent was to help people save money by keeping my soap at a very reasonable price, all while making a little extra money for our family," she says. "From there, the interest grew for my other homemade products and I began attending local craft fairs. The first year of craft fairs was a success, so we began to think about starting a real business."

Statler now has about 80 products for sale, including lotions, soaps, fragrance mists, lip balms, deodorant, insect repellent and her top seller, "Remedy," a cream she says is made with all natural ingredients associated with the ability to reduce pain and inflammation. Her products are available for purchase through her website, at her family farm in Perryville or at Buchheit stores throughout the area.

Debbie Hatler Statler, owner of Grandma Bea's All-Natural Products based in Perryville, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

"I was approached by Buchheit in 2014 with their interest in carrying Grandma Bea's All-Natural Products in their stores. I felt Buchheit was a great fit for Grandma Bea's because of their commitment to preserving the past in the way they do business," she says. "We started by offering my products in the Jackson store last November and now Grandma Bea's can be found in all eight of their stores."

Eric Statler sits on the cattle gate at Grandma Bea's All-Natural Products based in Perryville, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

Recently Statler, with the help of her family, renovated an older building on their property to be like an 1800s-era colonial homestead. The building serves as an interactive museum for children and adults interested in American history, and a number of colonial-themed activities are offered, including peeling apples with a peeler dated to 1898, kneading bread dough, writing with a feather pen, using a washboard and more.

"Most historical sites and buildings are made to observe, but at Grandma Bea's everyone is encouraged to take part in history and are welcome to touch and use everything in the house," she says.

Throughout the entire process of developing Grandma Bea's, Statler says it has remained a "family business."

"My mom and dad have been an enormous help since I first started, with everything from renovating the store to running errands to helping stock and everything in between," Statler says. "Mom's handmade items have always been popular with the customers. My Uncle Don and Aunt Carole have contributed so much time fixing up our old building, and Uncle Don's amazing woodworking items are for sale in the store. My sister has been a continued source of inspiration and knowledge. She is a successful businesswoman with a wealth of information and has truly been a driving force."

Eric and his mother, Debbie Hatler Statler, owner of Grandma Bea's All-Natural Products based in Perryville, Missouri, use an old-time washer to ring out laundry. (Laura Simon)

Within her immediate family, Statler says her sons, Brandon and Tanner, make deliveries and work in the store. Tessa, her son Tanner's fiancee, helps decorate. Statler's daughter Paige helps out as well, and can be found doing knitting demonstrations for visitors, and she says her youngest son, Eric, has been the inspiration for the activities on the homestead.

"And of course, my husband, the farmer," Statler says. "He can be given credit for the warmth we'll be enjoying from the wood stove that he installed. When you visit the farm, he's the one you'll see working constantly to keep this farm up and running."

Looking toward the future, Statler says expansion could be on the horizon -- she has had a couple inquiries from other companies that want to sell her products. At home on the farm, she plans to broaden the 1800s-era experience with more attractions and classes on topics related to homesteading, such as herbal remedies and foraging.

Ultimately, Statler says she hopes her family farm and business will help preserve some of the history she has come to know and love throughout her life.

"I think it's so important for families to pass memories and stories on from generation to generation to keep traditions alive. ... My hope is that Grandma Bea's can help keep some of the traditions of yesteryear from disappearing," she says. "Some people aren't as fortunate as I have been in regards to knowing, loving and learning from their grandmother. Perhaps by visiting the farm they can capture a little of that experience."

Grandma Bea's All-Natural Products based in Perryville, Missouri. (Laura Simon)