Start a Beekeeping and Honey Products Business

Local raw honey sells at $10 to $15 a pound and never sits long at markets, but honey is the slow part; candles, wax products, and pollination or education income round out the business.

1. 1

   Learn before you buy bees

   Take a course through your local beekeeping association and find a mentor. First-year colony losses are common even for careful beginners; education is the cheapest equipment.

2. 2

   Check registration and zoning

   Many states require apiary registration, and some cities limit hive counts or placement. Your state apiarist's office has the rules.

3. 3

   Start with two to three hives

   Multiple hives let you compare colony health and share resources between them. Expect $300 to $600 per hive with bees and gear in year one.

4. 4

   Plan for second-season sales

   New colonies need their first year to establish; harvesting too early kills them. Real honey revenue usually starts in season two, so budget patience.

5. 5

   Sell honey under honey house rules

   Most states have simplified cottage or honey house rules for small producers. Label with net weight and your info, and sell at markets, farm stands, and local shops.

6. 6

   Diversify beyond the jar

   Beeswax candles, lip balm, creamed honey, hive tours, and nuc sales to new beekeepers often earn more per hour than honey itself.

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