1. Growing an Apiary Business Mark F. Hedley Spiral Horn Apiary

2. Backgrounder Retired in May 2005 after 25 years in corporate life – CIO in Hotels & Casino Business. June 2005 - Established Spiral Horn Ranch – Breeding African Hoof-stock (exotics) / Guided Hunts “The Calling” – September 2010 – Established Spiral Horn Apiary

3. Evolution of an Apiary

4. Hobby Turned Addiction

5. To…Something Unbelievable

6. Challenges “Evolution” is slow and steady but may take a decade or even a generation to achieve “business” status. Growing by “learning the hard way” can be expensive Research, Education, Planning / Objectives, and Executing can be the least disruptive. Cyclical. Keep an open mind – change when you NEED to, Invent where you HAVE to!

7. Our COMMITMENT Education – 1 + year solid, multiple sources Start with 50 Nucs placed Spring 2012, grow to 1,000 in 5 years Diversify Product Offering Execute for 1,000 colonies – avoid disruption / gain efficiencies Develop Brand Identity and Website Build Brand Awareness

8. Education – BIOLOGY !

9. 50 Nucs – are you crazy?

10. Diversification in Business Everyone thinks Honey Think product synergies – Impact on Facilities Design Soaps, Lotions, Creams, Lip Balms Pure Beeswax Candles Tea – don’t sell what you see in grocery stores Mead (liquor licensing / regulations) Bulk Honey Sales – Confectioners, Bakeries, Wineries, and Breweries Woodenware / Bees / Queens Speaker / Educator

11. Facilities

12. Growth from Efficiency Inventory Management (Quickbooks) Outside Sales – Retail Growth UPC Codes Licenses / Product Liability Insurance Product Delivery Routes Syrup / Protein Substitute Palletizing, Moving Hives, Equipment Costs

13. Syrup Delivery

14. Protein Patty Mixing

15. Cranes or Forklifts??

16. 80 Hives Loaded

17. Brand Development

18. Brand Awareness Websites / Facebook Public Speaking Events – Garden Clubs, Rotary Clubs School Field Trips – Best Community Outreach ! Beekeeping School Fairs, Festivals, Farmers Markets Get Involved – Local Association, TBA, ABF ALL LEAD TO MORE RETAIL / WHOLESALE

19. Website / Facebook

20. Field Trips

21. Beekeeping School

22. Community Events

23. Retail

24. Where are we now? 300 +/- colonies in 2014, 11 yards, 2 counties 15 potential yards on list, 1 additional county in consideration Adding 175-200 colonies in 2015 15 retail stores Website costs recovered in less than 2 years Always Learning Migratory vs Standard Chemical Free/Natural vs Production Queen Rearing Project Not all bees / QUEENS created equal

25. spiralhornapiary.com facebook.com/spiralhornapiary Mark F. Hedley mark@spiralhornapiary.com