How One Woman Turned Her Beekeeping Hobby into an $80,000 a Year Beauty Business

Launching a skin care line using the honey made by her bees has sweetened Jodie Kieliszewski’s life and bank account! Here’s how.

“Fascinated and inspired by a wild swarm of bees that took up residence on my property in 2007, I began reading beekeeping books, and in 2008, I got my first hive. At the same time, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease and had to take a hard look at the ingredients in my skin care. I started making my own soaps and hand cream using the honey from my bees, and when my husband was laid off from work, I decided to turn it into a profitable venture.

So we converted our basement into a workshop and started Bee Lovely Botanicals.

“To make the honey-infused skin care, lip balm and soaps, we research ingredients and wade through studies. When we find a formula that works, I test it on myself. If I’m happy with it, I send samples to a small circle of testers for feedback.

This continues until we have a product that’s successful, safe and lovely to use! “We sell at farmers markets, fairs and at our online store, BeeLovelyBotanicals.com. I handle product development, marketing and branding, and my husband takes care of the financials, production and order fulfillment.

“Prices range from $6 for a lip balm to up to $300 for wedding favors and gift boxes! I’m making $82,000 a year, but the biggest perk is that I get to enjoy time with my family at home, since our basement doubles as a fully functioning production house. It’s a dream to support my family doing what I love!”

This story originally appeared in our print magazine.