Have you ever wondered what happens when a sewing, beekeeping, and entrepreneurial technical writer retires after a long career in the software industry?

It all started when I made an enclosed apiary for my own use, and soon realized what a fantastic solution it would be for any backyard beekeeper with limited space.

After applying for a patent for my “Enclosed Apiary with Configurable Flight Portal,” I went to work developing it into a product. The result is the HoneyBower enclosed apiary kit with a curated selection of the finest, most durable outdoor textiles and fasteners, combined with easy-to-follow instructions.

The next step was to launch HoneyBower as a membership store with a community forum where people can connect, learn, and share their experience. And because I spent a good part of my career in the ecommerce space, the process of setting up a store was familiar territory.

Most beekeepers are do-it-yourselfers by nature, but not everyone is cut out to take on a big sewing project. So if sewing ain’t your bag, Baby, let’s find someone to make it for you! Quilt makers have an ideal setup and some would welcome the business. If it sounds like a mash-up of backyard beekeepers and quilting bees, you got it!

Making connections like this is sometimes thought of as “building an ecosystem around a product,” which is just another way of bringing like-minded people together in a win-win situation.

So what’s the price of admission to become a member? To get started, all you have to do is purchase the interactive ebook, Using an Enclosed Apiary with Configurable Flight Portal. For detailed instructions, you can add the HoneyBower Maker’s Guide, or purchase both as a set. With each book, you receive a coupon of equal value that can be applied toward the purchase of an apiary kit. 

And don’t worry if you’re not an experienced seamster. By the time your project is finished, you will be!