For a variety of reasons, starting your own beekeeping business can be an appealing prospect. Professional apiculture, or beekeeping, has many advantages, including the freedom of self-employment and the satisfaction of working with nature to create a healthy product. In addition to the standard legal and financial considerations that go into the start-up of any entrepreneurial project, there are some special considerations that must be made when starting a beekeeping business.
Before you open your beekeeping business to the public, double-check that your state or province’s business laws allow professional beekeeping. It’s also important to follow the bylaws of your apiary’s location, as some areas prohibit agriculture in residential zones, whether it’s chicken coops or beehives. Because they prevent the brood and comb from being properly inspected for disease, certain types of makeshift hives, such as bee gums or hollow tree sections; and straw basket hives known as skeps, are illegal to use in the majority of US states.
After you’ve confirmed that your business’s operational aspects are legal, the next step is to ensure that the administrative aspects are as well. Make sure your beekeeping business is registered with your state or province. For under $100 US Dollars, this can usually be done online or at a local government office (USD). You can still register your business under a temporary identification number if you haven’t decided on a name yet. If you plan to hire employees for your beekeeping business, you’ll need to follow your state’s labor laws, which cover things like workplace safety, payroll deductions, and wage rates.
Forecasting your beekeeping business’s profitability is also critical to its success. This entails creating projections for how much money your company will make on a monthly basis, minus your overhead and other business expenses. During busy seasons or at tax time, you might want to consider hiring a professional accountant or bookkeeper to keep your company’s finances in order.
You can begin purchasing inventory once you’ve completed the administrative and financial paperwork for your beekeeping business. A hive stand, a metal over cover, a crown board, a bottom board, plastic or wood frames, an entrance reducer, a brood chamber, a hive tool, and a smoker are all items you’ll need to start a colony. Protective equipment, such as a commercial bee suit, hat, and veil, is also required for your beekeeping business.