Jemma Westing’s journey to creating a sustainable and award-winning beekeeping business started in 2020:
“The eco-therapeutic benefits of beekeeping and outdoor work were amplified for me as I recovered from Long Covid. It’s what made me decide to walk away from the full-time confines of the computer screen to establish my little company and take a chance on it.”
Since then, Jem’s Bees (based in the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border) has gone on to win gold at the 2024 Cambridgeshire SME Business Awards and Lone Wolf Business of the Year at the 2024 Business Awards UK.
As well as selling honeybee produce online and at events, Jem helps with swarm collection and runs educational talks to help amateur beekeepers get started. Encouraging people to “do it yourself” and reuse is the core philosophy of Jem’s Bees:
“Recycling is simple but impactful. It keeps costs low and saves materials from waste piles. Unwanted materials are vital in shaping something new.
“As a beekeeper, designer, maker, gardener, and recycler, I naturally gravitate toward DIY, make-your-own, and grow-your-own activities. I consciously reduce my impact and the business’ impact by reusing and repurposing materials.”
How can a business stand out in a market where sustainability is key?
“If you don’t try it, you’ll never know. I’d recommend working to your strengths so you can offer a point of difference from your sector competitors.
“I used my career experience in design, recycling and publishing to create products and evolve the brand and its presence in the market. Working with what’s available is the mantra of the business and having a diverse range of produce for sale (edible and non-edible) means that there’s always something I can sell when honey harvests are lean.”
What are the plans for the future of Jem’s Bees?
“My focus is now on cementing Jem’s Bees’ place in the market and growing it in a sustainable, careful way. The goal for the next couple of years is to support new hobbyist beekeepers by providing them with healthy, strong nucleus honeybee colonies. This will be a significant focus for 2025-2026.”
