In science everything is (or at least should be) documented so that when someone goes to replicate your study, they will be able to do so well and will be able add to the understanding. In business a lot is kept internally so to keep a completive advantage in the markets. In a way, I would like to run my business as a case study, let’s call is A case studying for the founding and management of a sustainable beekeeping business in Northern NJ.
For anything to be sustainable it needs to be environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. And when it doesn’t exist or it will have to grow substantially it needs to be regenerative.
We become environmentally sustainable when we have a regenerative honey bee breeding program that works to reduce the interventions needed to keep bees alive and well.
We have socially sustainable beekeeping when education is affordable and accessible to all that need it. This is something that I believe exists in New Jersey, I proudly contribute by providing free demos to those that buy bees from me and currently have them under their care.
We become economically sustainable when the person managing the bees is able to live in the region that the honey is consumed. With many people wanting local honey – honey that is produced in New Jersey – I am faced with my scariest hurdle.
There are a couple different angles I can take to make this happen. The First plays on the strengths that I have and the systems that I have already build here in Sussex County. That is why I have honey as a reward to the kick start that will launch on Jan 3rd or when I get 10k people to follow.
Next year I will use the funds raised in the Kickstarter to buy 392-colonies of bees in March of 2025. Then manage them in here in Sussex County to make honey, start a breeding program, and teach about bees and beekeeping to anyone willing to put on a bee suit.
All of that will cost about $336,000 as it will require put grades in my truck, a forklift, and boxes in which the bees will live. Most for with I can get a loan to fund, but the bees themselves I can’t which is the reason for the kickstarter – to pay for the actually bees.
If you want to hear more about the campaign and as I prepare for its launch fill out the form above. Do you think I can get to 10 people to follow this journey.
