The Sweet Success of Honey Badgers Bee Farm

Celebrating Small Family Businesses

In this episode of 'Celebrating Small Family Businesses,' hosts John and Connie Kuder interview Derrick and Bill Jerome, the father-son duo behind Honey Badger's Bee Farm.

Initially motivated by Derrick’s quest to alleviate his allergies with local honey, the business began with just two hives in the city and has grown to over 200 hives. They discuss the evolution of their products, from raw honey to innovative smoked and flavored honeys, and their recent ventures into honey-infused teas and a unique, patent-pending tea emulsification process.

The Jeromes also share their challenges, including a forced rebranding from 'Hobbit Honey' to 'Honey Badgers' due to copyright issues.

The episode touches on their success in expanding their product line, securing national retail opportunities with Walmart, and the importance of family involvement and trust in their business's growth.

They explore how the business adapted to commercial demands, patented their unique products, and the significance of community and environmental contributions, such as bee rescue operations and supporting local agriculture.

00:00 Welcome to Celebrating Small Family Businesses

00:47 Meet Honey Badger's Bee Farm: The Origin Story

02:41 From Backyard Hives to Innovative Honey Products

05:32 The Evolution of Honey Badger's Bee Farm

08:32 Innovating Tea with Honey: A Delicious Accident

15:24 Expanding the Brand: From Tea to Testing New Ideas

21:18 Family Dynamics and Business Challenges

24:41 Navigating Business Roles and Dynamics

26:29 Embracing Strengths and Overcoming Challenges

26:56 Innovating with Patents and Expanding Product Lines

31:18 Scaling Up: Infrastructure and Future Plans

34:31 Navigating Costs and Sourcing Challenges

41:30 Community Engagement and Educational Initiatives

46:40 Celebrating Small Family Business Success