We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Burgess a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Hannah, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My father’s dedication to beekeeping had a profound impact on my work ethic. Growing up, I watched him tirelessly tend to the beehives, often working long hours in all kinds of weather conditions to ensure the health and productivity of our colonies. His unwavering commitment taught me the importance of perseverance, resilience, and dedication to a small business. I learned from him that success doesn’t come without hard work and that every task, no matter how small, deserves our full attention and effort. His example instilled in me a deep respect for the value of hard work and the satisfaction that comes from seeing the results of one’s labor. My father is turning 70 this year and his work ethic continues to inspire me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My family comes from a long history of beekeeping spanning over a century when they started out as hobbyist in Pennsylvania. The family beekeeping business expanded in the early 1950’s when we started migrating our hives from Northeast PA to Arcadia, Florida. My family business was known as Perry Apiaries. Up until the start of when I started The Beekeeper’s Daughter, my family honey had only been sold wholesale to larger companies who would use it for private label and little was left for local customers.
The Beekeeper’s Daughter was officially established in 2012 when I saw a need for raw honey with our own label. BKD has expanded to not just raw honey but many products including our innovative honey soda, beeswax candles and a successful store front. All Beekeeper’s Daughter honey is still sourced from my family apiary.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Resilience: Being a woman owned business has it challenges. From overcoming gender bias and stereotypes to life/work balance. You need to stay strong, confident and your biggest advocate.
2. Innovation: The decision to establish The Beekeeper’s Daughter and expand the product line demonstrates the importance of innovation in staying relevant and meeting evolving consumer demands. To help foster innovation I continuously seek inspiration from different sources and stay on top of industry trends and developments.
3. Product and Market Knowledge: A deep understanding of the product is crucial to running your business and its market is essential for success. Knowing everything on your product, understanding its benefits and uses, and being aware of consumer preferences and trends allows for informed decision-making and effective marketing strategies. Growing up in a family of beekeeping I was really able to have a good grasp on this.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to embrace learning and growth, be adaptable to change, and stay true to yourself. Don’t be afraid to take risks and pursue new opportunities. Surround yourself with a supportive network who can provide guidance and expertise. I have a strong group of successful woman business owners that I reach out to for support and questions.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
Being a woman-owned small business owner presents unique challenges, especially when striving to strike a balance between life and work. I find myself in a constant struggle. The demands of work, from managing issues and deadlines to overseeing the supply chain, responding to emails, processing orders, maintaining social media presence, and providing customer service, seem ever-present. Juggling these responsibilities alongside family commitments necessitates strong time management skills. Personally, I have three children, each actively involved in various activities, and I want to be present for them. Fortunately, I have a supportive and encouraging husband who stands by me. As women, we often place immense pressure on ourselves to excel in all aspects of life—running a business, keeping a tidy home, preparing meals, nurturing friendships—and it’s crucial to recognize when to prioritize self-care and when to politely decline additional commitments. Balancing these roles requires constant evaluation on my part and adjustment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beekeepersdaughter.com
- Instagram: @beekeepersdaughterhoney
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/perryapiaries
- Other: tik tok – @thebeekeepersdaughter570
