Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Working as a team has been the biggest win for starting up this business. We make sure to have regular breaks and pace ourselves with building the business. We also utilise opportunities for collaborating with other small businesses.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
One of the challenges has been the weather at markets. The rain has made it a little tricky for set-up, however through strategic planning we have managed to set up our stall in minimal time and not get too wet by the rain.
Another challenge has been the understanding around honey products and children, where most new parents are not aware that you can use topical honey-based products. It is more if the child under 1 has eaten raw honey that can create a problem. We have had the amazing support from the owner of simply bee writing a declaration to reassure parents that the baby products are safe to use on their little ones.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The pros are meeting and engaging with other small businesses, supporting markets, bringing in a new product to New Zealand that can cater to all family members, and making the products affordable.
In terms of cons, we have very busy weekends at times and some late nights of sorting stock. we also have lots of packing to do for markets.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
We would love to get these amazing products into stores supporting the same values as our business and our supplier, where families can purchase freely and not spend a fortune on good-quality skincare and ointments.
Visit the Bee-utiful Beginnings website to find out more about their products. You can also join them on Facebook and Instagram.
