The Story Behind The Name
- Sarah Bryant
- Jun 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 25
"What should be the name of my business?"
While this may seem like an easy question to answer, it proved to be quite the opposite. I spent far too long going through countless ideas, but nothing quite "hit the mark."
Finally, the name became clear once I thought about what had led me to be able to even consider starting my own business in the first place.
The business isn't named after me; it's titled as a dedication to the Bryants who came before me.
Poppop
My maternal grandfather, Jay Bryant Gordon ( yes, his middle name was Bryant! ), was a sincere man who deeply cared for others.
Jay was a salesman. He started at ABC Automotive in Lansdale, PA, before spending the majority of his career at Cayuga Concrete Pipe Company in Chalfont, PA.
Alongside his professional life, Jay also served in various leadership positions spanning decades at Grace Mennonite Church in Lansdale, PA. Through this ministry, he went on to be one of the founders of Camp Men-O-Lan in Quakertown, PA.
Jay and his wife, Adele, raised four children and had 12 grandchildren.
In his retirement, Jay served as a bus driver for Living Branches and Foulkeways senior living communities.
He is remembered for often saying the famous phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
PopPop taught me the importance of always giving a good first impression and making positive connections. He continued to serve others as long as he physically could, all the while with a smile and positive mindset. He was a man of integrity, true to his word, and modeled for me the importance of networking and compassion.
Grandpop
My paternal grandfather, Ted Bryant, was a man always ready for his next adventure.
From his humble beginnings of opening a small pizza shop and many other jobs along the way, Ted eventually found his calling in the service of seniors. He became a pioneer in senior living, invoking changes which are still impacting the industry at large today.
In the 70s, Ted began attending Church of the Open Door in Ft. Washington, PA. An accountant by trade, he partnered with one of the pastors to start Open Door Estates, a senior living community with its first community opening in 1972. Open Door Estates would go on to become ACTS Inc.
In 1981, Ted started the American Lifecare Corporation, which went on to manage and develop Elm Terrace Gardens in Lansdale, PA, Willow Valley Manor in Lancaster, PA, and Windsor Park Manor in Carol Stream, IL.
Other Important Roles:
CFO of Crawford Broadcasting Company, a Christian radio group based in Blue Bell, PA.
Board Member of Teen Haven Ministry in Lancaster, PA.
CFO of America’s Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center in Whiting, NJ. (working alongside my father, who was the Executive Director at the time)
Throughout his professional career, Ted remained simultaneously dedicated to his love of music. He frequently sang in his church choir and was an outstanding tenor.
Ted and his wife Janet had three children and six grandchildren.
Grandpop was a brave man, a dreamer, never afraid to take risks. He taught me how to be wise with money and time, since neither is guaranteed. He made sure I understood it’s okay to try different things before you find what gives you purpose.
Dad
My father, John Bryant, is a faithful servant. He has always worked multiple jobs in different fields simultaneously, the majority of which have been in the nonprofit sector.
While he may not have an “LLC” on his resume, he certainly has a long list of personal side projects and acts of service instead.
He has worked in over a dozen roles throughout his career, each time making a significant impact on those around him.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance, a Bachelor’s degree in Bible, a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator (NHA).
Dad has served in leadership positions in the senior living industry, Christian higher education, local church worship ministry, and para-church ministries.
In 2010, he accepted a senior leadership role as the Executive Director of the Retirement Community at Christ’s Home in Warminster, PA. He went on to become the Chief Executive Director of Christ’s Home, including the Retirement Community and both Children’s Services Campuses in Warminster, PA and Paradise, PA, and now serves as the Chief Governance Officer.
Dad also currently serves as a consultant with The Center Consulting Group in Dublin, PA, and is Chairman of the Board of America’s Keswick in Whiting, NJ.
He and his wife, Janele, have been married for 43 years. They had three daughters, and now have three sons-in-law, nine grandchildren, and three grand-doggies.
Dad is…
always drinking a Dr. Pepper
meticulous about lawn care and pool maintenance
known for his deep voice and billowing laugh
a lover of storytelling
extremely driven and laser-focused in everything he does
I started my first job at Chick-fil-A at 16 before I got my license, so my Dad would often be the one dropping me off for my shifts. Before I got out of the car, he would always say, “Go be a blessing today, Sarah.”
While I was saying “My Pleasure,” I gradually began to understand what he meant: how each shift, each car in the drive-thru, each order was a new way to be a blessing in someone’s day.
My Dad has shown me the importance of being detail-oriented, planning, and always striving toward success. Above all, he has modeled for me what it means to willingly dedicate every minute of every day to the service of others. If you have the right mindset and embrace the right perspective, there is no limit to what you can accomplish or how many lives you can impact.
He spent his entire adult life serving others in everything he did, whether it be through business leadership, music, or family. He is a workaholic, extremely driven, and laser-focused at all times. There was rarely a moment growing up when I didn't overhear him talking to himself under his breath, preparing a presentation or proposal, always planning and problem-solving. His mind never gets a break. He has had to make sacrifices for our family as a whole and for me individually. The steps he took were not always easy, but they were worth it for the service of others, and, ultimately, the service of his Lord.
Bryant Marketing Solutions is named after and dedicated to three Bryants, wise entrepreneurs who instilled in me the virtues of bravery, integrity, and service.
Between these three men, they spent their lives serving others and positively impacting countless lives.
I grew up watching and learning from these men who were excellent examples of dedicated servants in their communities. They taught me how to give a firm handshake, how to stand up for myself, how to challenge myself, and how to value others.
I took all the lessons I learned from Jay, Ted, and John and worked hard in my young adult life to earn my marketing degree and gain experience through multiple marketing jobs, serving over a dozen local businesses thus far.
All of this has brought me to where I am today: launching my own business and naming it after them.
Bryant Marketing Solutions LLC is officially open and ready to accept new clients! I am excited to serve local entrepreneurs by helping them grow their small businesses, one post at a time.
( P. S. I want to give a special shoutout to my grandmothers, mom, and sisters for helping me grow to become a strong woman like them!)
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