I know alot of people in my area who have approached me over the past year with a strong demand for "boutique" honey for their companies, nucs from beeclub members and small backyard hobby farmer pollination. I am a 3rd yr beek with 10 hives and i'm growing but doing it slowly because i'm learning by making ALOT of mistakes, keeping it self sufficient by staying debt free and making my own materials but i'm hampered by a lack of knowledge and inexperience.
You can go to all the meetings, classes, read all the books but that doesnt compare to getting out there in the field and learning from someone who is above you. I've visited 3 beeclubs in my area but only one club has a commercial guy with 400+ hives but he's very leary about taking people on and he rarely shows up to meetings except only when its that time of the year he's selling his products. 99% of beeclub members (to me) are hobbyists with 1-4 hives and to be honest i dont think commercial beeks go to beeclub meetings because commercial beeks have networking/business needs that (to me) are not met on a hobbyist level.
I have a great job that i feel is my life's calling in which i only work 3-4 days a week which fortunately makes a great salary so i wouldnt be giving that up nor would i want. I have no interest in creating a 1000 hive operation. My goal is to get up to 100 hives and stay there and keep my niche markets happy and productive.
So how does one find a commerical/sideliner mentor willing to help you who hasnt been scared away by the crush of newbies with business aspirations?
You can go to all the meetings, classes, read all the books but that doesnt compare to getting out there in the field and learning from someone who is above you. I've visited 3 beeclubs in my area but only one club has a commercial guy with 400+ hives but he's very leary about taking people on and he rarely shows up to meetings except only when its that time of the year he's selling his products. 99% of beeclub members (to me) are hobbyists with 1-4 hives and to be honest i dont think commercial beeks go to beeclub meetings because commercial beeks have networking/business needs that (to me) are not met on a hobbyist level.
I have a great job that i feel is my life's calling in which i only work 3-4 days a week which fortunately makes a great salary so i wouldnt be giving that up nor would i want. I have no interest in creating a 1000 hive operation. My goal is to get up to 100 hives and stay there and keep my niche markets happy and productive.
So how does one find a commerical/sideliner mentor willing to help you who hasnt been scared away by the crush of newbies with business aspirations?