Almost Honey Harvest Time: Bees, Farm Dreams, and Supporting Small Businesses
It is almost honey harvest time here on our farm, and I am getting excited! There is just something special about this time of year. Even though I love harvesting honey, I am always careful about how much I take. My first priority is making sure the bees have everything they need to stay healthy through the seasons ahead. They worked hard for every drop of honey, and I believe it is important to protect them, provide them with a safe home, and let them do what God created them to do. I truly believe God created everything with a purpose, and honey bees are one of His greatest gifts to our world.
Because we are still growing our apiary, there are times when our own honey supply is limited. Rather than taking too much from our hives, I choose to purchase a few special products from other small businesses, including elderberry infused honey, raw bee pollen, and other honey products that I know my customers will enjoy. I love being able to offer more choices while also helping another small business grow. It reminds me that when we support one another, everyone benefits.
Over the last several years, my husband and I have made a real effort to live a little more naturally. We have worked on changing the foods we eat, the skin care products we use, and reducing the chemicals and pesticides around our farm whenever possible. We certainly have not changed everything, and we are still learning every day. Sometimes these ideas are ignored or misunderstood, but that does not stop us from continuing to learn and sharing what we discover with others. I have learned that lasting change usually happens one small step at a time.
One person I could never thank enough is my husband. He has always supported my ideas, even when they probably sounded a little crazy at first. From my sheep and wool to honey bees, wildflowers, handmade products, unique clothing, and all the new ideas that seem to pop into my head, he has encouraged me every step of the way. Having someone believe in your dreams makes all the difference.
Lately, our community has also been facing many unknowns surrounding the proposed data center nearby. I will be the first to admit that I do not know enough facts to claim I have all the answers. However, I do know that I would not want something like that any closer to my farm. My heart hurts for the families living nearby who worry about the future, the unknowns, and the possibility of losing value in property they have worked so hard to own. One question continues to stay on my mind: if this opportunity is truly as wonderful as some people have been told, why are so many communities fighting to keep them away instead of competing to bring them in? I simply believe people deserve honest answers and the chance to protect the places they call home.
Like many small business owners, I still work a full-time job because life is expensive. Health insurance, electric bills, taxes, farm expenses, and everyday responsibilities all have to be paid before dreams can become reality. Sometimes that means my dream of sharing the peaceful feeling my farm gives me has to wait until late at night after work is finished. My animals, the ponds, the wildflowers, the bees, the wool, the honey, and even my homemade wild muscadine jelly are all part of the life I hope to share through Wooly Wildflowers & Honey. My business is not second place in my heart. It is every bit as important to me as the farm itself. It simply has to grow one step at a time.
People often tell us to follow our dreams, and I truly believe anyone can accomplish amazing things with enough determination. What people do not always talk about is how difficult it can be to afford those dreams while still paying everyday bills. Building a business takes time, sacrifice, and a whole lot of late nights. It is not always glamorous, but it is worth it.
The next time you are looking for something handmade, unique, or offered by a small business, I hope you remember the person behind it. Your purchase may be helping someone feed their animals, buy supplies, grow their business, or simply keep believing in a dream they have worked toward for years. That is exactly how small businesses continue moving forward, one customer at a time.
I know people often say every business needs a niche, and mine is probably a little broader than most. My web designer is likely rolling his eyes every time I come up with another idea! But my farm, my honey bees, wool and yarn, wildflowers, natural living, handmade projects, and colorful bohemian clothing are all part of who I am. Wooly Wildflowers & Honey was never meant to be just another online store. It is a collection of the things I love, the lessons I continue learning, and the dream I hope to build for many years to come.
So, for now, I will keep working my full-time job, caring for my animals, protecting my bees, learning new things, and staying up much later than I probably should working on Wooly Wildflowers & Honey. Thank you to every person who has supported my business by placing an order, sharing a post, or simply encouraging me along the way. You are helping make this dream possible, and for that I will always be grateful.