Building a Full Time Bee Business (Part 1 of 3)
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- Опубликовано: 3 фев 2023
- Part 1 of an interview with Bob Binnie (@bobbinnie9872 ).
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Хобби
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Uhg, I was done with RUclips and ready to go assemble boxes and then this pops up…
LOL
As a mom and pop business with about forty hives right now, we love these conversations! We've grown with our bees, too, and invest the money we make into our growth. We'd love to hear Nathan's thoughts about growth beyond the shipping container, and some of the other long term growth prompts Bob threw out there at the end. Maybe in part two?
Not about me specifically in part 2 or part 3, but my plan is to build revenue until a building is justified (and affordable) and then use the shipping container as a warming room.
10 day rule, generally the work needed to be done during the crunch season needs to be done within a short timeline.
Gotta get through those points of time otherwise losers will occur. I can get through 1500 in 10 days. I know guys who can get through 15000 in 10 days.
Same applies to the rest of the farm, seeding, spraying, harvest timing on mature crops
Thanks Ian
I’m enjoying your channel
Keep up the good work
High praise! Hey Ian, I’ll finally be getting fiber internet in the next month or so. Would you be willing to do a Zoom call when I do? Topic TBD, I’m sure we can figure out something interesting.
Sure thing 👍
I went full time into beekeeping with only 80 production colonies and 100 minis. Selling nucs, queens, honey, beeswax products wasn’t enough to pay all the bills at that level but the thing a lot of newer beekeepers miss is the service side. I did cutouts, offered hive inspections/management consulting and ag valuation contracts. The products of the hives combined with the services I offered pushed me over the edge into being able to pay all the bills and still have extra to reinvest into the operation. It’s absolutely doable with less than 100 colonies if you’re smart and have a bit of tenacity.
Good insight! How did you determine your fees for these services? I've wondered about these income streams, but not really sure what I would charge nor where I might find info on the going rate for such a service. How did you determine your price for hive inspections or consultations?
@@ericfrance3241 My time plus cost. Putting a number on how much your time is worth really helps but you also have to be realistic. I charge $60 for the first colony and $10 for every additional colony for inspections. There’s also a feedback loop associated with this service because if you actually do a good job with helping another beekeeper be successful then they are sure to give you business in other ways like buying queens when they need to split. Providing quality service for others can go viral in a way.
I enjoy making my own boxes,lids, bottom boards. Just need to learn to make frams.
That was really good. Thank you. He’s definitely right about woodwork. I do my lids and bottom boards. I like how you can customize to fit your style and saves a ton. I’m thinking of doing boxes too.
I’m thinking along those lines too.
Thanks so much for sharing!! I am almost in the same position. Currently 35 going for 50-60 this year. Built a 20 hive trailer for a apple pollination contract.
Good luck!
Kinda nice you are close to Bob to get these interviews in person. Good job.
Thanks! It’s about 11 hours drive time round trip, but I greatly prefer in person.
I want to become a full time beekeeper, this video is incredibly valuable to me, helps me see what I do right, and what needs improvement. Thank you!
Thanks!
Good stuff. I'm a hobbyist and have picked up much of my equipment I'll need before retirement. Who knows if I'll get to Bob's number of 25 to start getting into the 'true' money making. But, the equipment I've picked up does allow for expansion. Last year was my firsts year. I had three hives and lost a queen in late October and am at two now. This spring, I'm planning on 13...maybe more.
Have fun with it. If you’re a hobbyist, keep it a hobby. Fun first, profit second.
great Information and great source for Information. Closing in on retirement age, I'm looking at growing up to full time , This year will be the start of this growth. time is ticking away and I want to be ready when I get there
I think a semi retirement beekeeping business is a great idea. Keeps you busy and active, and can supplement income.
Slow growth helps you to grow with your bees. You won't be overwhelmed when you grow this way. I personally think that some entrepreneurs go bankrupt because they grow too fast... While you are small you can learn from your mistakes without losing a bulk of money.
Bankruptcy requires debt. Debt requires a good plan to avoid trouble!
Buy once, cry once. The old saying for buying quality tools and equipment that is efficient and can also make you more money with less time
Great discussion. One thing that seemed to be left out ( unless I missed it) is finding locations to keep the hives.
Where I live any location is snatched up. Either people don’t want them or try to contract me into giving them the hives if I decide to leave. Yep I actually had someone try that.
Be careful with your agreements with landowners.
Bob, can you talk about the kinds of insurances we need?
Thank you Nathan! It was a great interview, this is what I need to some day become a commercial beekeeper.
Thanks!
Great video Nathan! Expanding from 20+ hives to 50+ this year and turning my passion for bees into a solid business is my focus at the moment, so I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Keith!
I love talking about economies of scale.
I really do appreciate you sharing this video. It is my goal to one day have my bees paying my bills because this is my love. People say, do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life! I’d rather be getting stung up that be on a good smallmouth bite! I thank you for the information that you and Bob are sharing.
Thanks Tim!
What a great video. As someone who wants to grow but doesn’t enjoy the sales aspect of the business, this is great information. I can’t wait for part 2.
Part 2 will release tomorrow morning.
This is such a great interview! I'm at 20 hives now looking grow to 50 this year to make beekeeping more of a side business.
Sounds like a reasonable plan. Good luck!
Great information!!! Thank you both for sharing!!!
Thanks!
Thank you Nathan for videoing this sit down with Bob, he is a wealth of knowledge.
Thanks! I always have fun with Bob.
Great content keep it coming. Thanks to both of you.
Thanks!
This information is gold! Thank you for sharing it Nathan!
Thanks!
Good chat and much wisdom.
Thanks!
I'd love to understand how the nuc business works over there, at scale. Who are the major operators making, selling, buying etc. It seems selling bees is way more profitable than honey, especially seeing how much equipment is needed for extraction. I'm loving these conversations with Bob, cheers mate.
Thanks Aidan! Mann Lake and Dadant are two major nuc suppliers, though there are others. There are commercial producers who contract with them. There are other commercial producers down south that make nucs and packages and then have drop offs with local bee clubs that facilitate pre orders.
Great coverage , Nathan.
Thanks!
Perfect timing for me. I'm looking to turn my hobby into a business this year. Thanks for this, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Thanks!
Always gain knowledge from these interviews! Well thought out and prepared.
Thanks!
Awesome video! My wife and I are 13 years into running an environmental consulting business we built from nothing. Your step-by-step approach to this is going to work out well in the long run. Super excited for you and what you are building! Live your dream!
Thanks Aaron!
Great conversation. Very helpful. Enjoyed it. Thanks and take care.
Thanks!
Great video, can’t wait for the other parts. There is so much knowledge in this video. This is the direction I want to work towards over the next several years as I grow more experience and capital. I’m not looking to be a completely full time beekeeper but to supplement the other areas of the farm so that one day I can leave my steady day job and pull off a living from the farm.
Build your infrastructure over time and someday it can support you.
Bob is an outstanding source of info.
You got that right!
Bob is such an encouraging mentor.
Absolutely
Inspiring. Your videos on the business of beekeeping have been very helpful to me and are unique in the video blog world. Makes me excited to expand my business in Denver. Thanks Nathan, looking forward to the Part 2!
Thanks Eric!
Bob is so great to listen to makes it easy to understand great guy 💯
Bob is awesome. Thanks!
Another great video. Your interviews and step by step success/opportunity videos have tremendous value for up and coming Bee Keepers.
Thanks Billy! I think it’s a shame how often kids get pushed into college and saddled with a lifetime of debt when there other legitimate ways to make a living that may be better long term for physical and mental health.
I really enjoyed this video. I appreciate both of you 👍🤙👊
Thanks!
I have had bees for 30 years and have been a sideliner almost the whole time, hopefully I can make the jump to commercial in the next year or 2, honey sales have also been growing. Trying to add queen sales to the business this year, keep it up great info, Bob is so full if knowledge can't wait to meet him someday
Thanks for another great interview. I really like how dive into the economics and business side of bee keeping. Bob’s a great resource and always has so much valuable information he’s willing to share.
Bob is awesome.
Great video! Thanks for the content.
Thanks!
Enjoyed your conversation and quotes with Bob. Thank you for sharing Nathan ☺️
Thanks!
Dumpster Divers Anonymous lol 😆 I'm with ya Bob
Great video! Bob has so much knowledge excellent beekeeper and business man.
Thanks!
Great interview Nathan,
Thanks!
This series is invaluable and so down to earth. You are so well prepared and Bob gives the most humble and honest answers. Kudos to you both for this information. One wishes it won't end.
Thanks Greg!
I really enjoy your videos. For me it would be very interesting to learn more about how to gain locations to put bees. I have bees at my personal residence and a 20 acre farm I bought for the purpose to put my bees and to sell from. I’ve been surprised at the demand for local honey and I may not be able to produce enough in the future.
Bob has a video on that. I may do one at some point.
Fantastic video. I'm currently keeping nine colonies and you explained a reasonable growth goal. I'm now shooting for 30 this year. In retrospect I grew about three times each season. I've been debating between building or buying more equiptment. I have capital to pay for 20 preassembed boxes and frames which will give me more time to secure a secondary apiary to handle the extra hives. I love that you're explaining the business of bees so candidly. Thanks for posting.
this is awesome
Thanks!
I'm too old to start another business, but this is invaluable info for y'all youngsters. Good interview, great questions.
Thanks Barry!
You are doing great interviews. Just the stuff I need to hear. I'm at about 120 hives and plan to triple that this year. I have the woodenware ready and bought a 28 frame Cowen last year. Hopefully things will work out.
You’re getting serious if you’re moving to a Cowen! Awesome piece of equipment.
@Duck River Honey I used the Cowen last season and I was the bottleneck in the process. The only thing to improve is my efficiency.
I keep between 30-40 production colonies of bees. I consider myself as a sideliner. I concentrate on honey production.Its a lot of work . I also work a full time job working out of town in construction. So I have to work my bees on weekends. It's a lot to keep up with. Sometimes I have to work bees in light rain. I'm considering cutting back to around 20 production colonies and do some more mentoring.
Thanks Mark, sometimes less is more.
Great discussion. Specific numbers could vary from society to society
It could. Cost of living and what people are willing to pay can vary.
Yikes…. I’m a sideliner!
Thanks for the great video.
I’m hoping to grow into 200ish colonies as I head towards leaving the corporate world in a few years.
One of the questions/concerns that I have is about the bulk market.
I do really well now by bottling and selling my honey directly and also to a few retail locations.
Eventually I will need to be selling by the drum as well as by the case.
How to get into that bulk market when the time is right is an unknown for me.
Find a honey packer. ABA, beesource, ABJ ads, etc.
Love the quote about. " I got my Bacholers and master in Ag...
Now that your entering into the real world.... .. How's that working for you?
Schooling is great but in the real world you will soon realize the word PIVOT can not be taught by a text book or someone with no real world encounters.
Beekeeping is full of rules that need to be constantly shifting depending on the situation at hand.
Experience matters.
I’ve been out in the real world for 20 years, college was a while back.
@@DuckRiverHoney I agree Nathan. College teaches you how to learn. Using that ability to learn allows you to do anything you put your mind to. Most of the formulas and data from college is lost in a few years but the ability to learn stays with you. By the way I got a MS at UNL in Plant Science - Agronomy with a business minor.
Awesome Russell, glad to know that about you.
I enjoy watching and learning from your videos. In view of your plan to fill the income gap caused by your full time job change, I would like to suggest a book, "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson. The book describes the way one reacts to major change in one"s work and life. I wish you well.
Thanks Claude, I’ve got it and read it, but it’s been years.
Hi Nathan. Is there a part 3 of this interview with Bob?
It’ll post on Saturday.
When is part 2?
Sunday morning.
how much land do you need for 500 colonies?
Wode speach.
preaching is not a hustle. Its a calling from god.. Its no hustle by no means.