Beech's Apiaries & Honey Producers uses Compensating Balance Loan to Seed Start-Up. Next Step, Kickstarter?

Raymond Beech, owner of Beech's Apiaries & Honey Producers, meets with LaDonna Hardman, a loan officer with  CWV TEL Federal Credit Union, to wrap up loan paperwork. Raymond, in partnership with CWV TEL and Job Squad, secured a small Compensating Balance Loan to aid his start-up by making possible the purchase of an additional 10 bee hive frames and associated tools and supplies (queen bees, smokers, suits, etc.).

This is Job Squad's 3rd Compensating Balance Loan. Information about the first two loans can be found here: Loan #1 and Loan #2.

Raymond has kept bees for the last 6 years as a hobby, in addition to working full-time. He is now exploring the varying ways artisanal apiaries generate revenue, which include--in addition to honey production--the sale of pollen, wax, propolis, royal jelly, bee extraction, pollination, and services related to processing honey for others. Raymond has met with the area's Business Coach with the Small Business Development Center and is seeking support from the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation.

Raymond, a technophile, is also researching other way to share his passion and skills. He looking into securing start-up funding through the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to create a web series to showing the creation of a honey bee house (check out Creativebug for inspiration). Raymond tells his own story best and, after the pictures of Raymond in gear, you can read a draft version of his Kickstarter idea.

Who am I:

Hi, my name is Raymond, father of six, veteran and beekeeper. I love keeping honey-bees and my children love to help dad with the honeybees; but my wife is furious and I’m running out of room (and time according to her.) For the past six years I have been keeping honeybees as a hobby. I really enjoy my honeybees, even when they sting me. But my wife has finally put her foot down; and I can’t say that I blame her.

What is the issue?

You see my bee gear and equipment take up lots and lots of space – a good portion of my Master Bedroom/Bathroom, a large portion of my Living room, a small portion of the kitchen, a little bit of here and there throughout the rest of the house, and of course scattered out in the yard. When I only had two or three hives it wasn’t a big deal – now that I have a quadrupled my hives – it’s definitely an issue. Eventually I would like to have a few hundred hives – but that’s another story.

What is the Project?

To create a website explaining who we are, what we do and will do, our team, and much more. Our primary goal is to create a web series that shows the planning, designing, and construction of a building or the purchasing, moving and setting up of modular or trailer – to use as a honeybee house; and of course the moving of my honeybee gear, equipment, and hives (which should be an extremely fun-filled day) into this honeybee house. 

As stated previously some of my children show a real interest in my bees and actually help me with my honeybees (imagine that – they can move away from the computers, consoles and phones for more than twenty minutes.) Unfortunately a lot of the work can’t be done on my living room floor (we’ve tried and failed miserably.) With a new building to house my gear, equipment and bees; it could also be designed to with a designated area to work in – which would offer a place where my family’s passion can grow. While working together building our bee boxes, frames, or splitting hives; all while growing a family bond.

Making Connections builds a solid path to employment.

Rodney Bowers is not a first time job seeker.  He had been employed through a sheltered workshop and also through a large corporate chain store but he knew there was something more for him out there.  Networking and making connections with the job seeker is essential to gaining access to local business owners.  With the help from a connection to a local business owner, Rodney has been able to reach the first milestone, for a long term dream.   This is to work in the trucking industry.  He has envisioned a long term goal as a truck driver; however, this takes extensive training and knowledge of the trucking industry.  Without connections in this field, little to no experience can be a great barrier for many people.  Rodney has a chance to reach many of his dreams in this area.  He has recently been hired by Connor’s Trucking, a locally owned family trucking company.  He has to prove his worth and his grit to become a shop apprentice.  Through hands of training Rodney will be able to learn mechanical skills that will  provide extensive building blocks to get him closer to his long term goal as a truck driver.  The first steps are usually the hardest, learning the tricks of the trade and showing one’s worth as an integral part of the shop team.  Rodney is on the right path to lead him to his ultimate goal.  He works five days a week receiving the hands of training he needs to become knowledgeable of the skills and responsibilities associated with working in the trucking industry.  Attached is a video of Rodney using a power wire brush so he can remove the paint from the fork lift so he can prime and paint it.

Working Interests

Meet Norma from Braxton County, West Virginia. 

Norma moved to West Virginia from out of state to live with her daughter and family.  She has been searching for employment for the past six months with the assistance of JSI.  Norma is signed up for services through the WV DRS and has had the opportunity of doing a Community Based Assessment (CBA) which allows Norma to go out into the community and find businesses that she might enjoy working at.  Through this process,  JSI contacts a business and schedules an Informational Interview where we and Norma can learn more about the business.  After contacting several businesses, we found a business that Norma was interested in.  Norma has been working at the new Book Warehouse located in the Flatwoods Mall. 

The Book Warehouse is a new bookstore that recently opened its doors.  At the bookstore, Norma has been reorganizing the entire book audio section.  She really enjoys working at the bookstore because Norma loves reading.  She has been organizing all the audio books in alphabetical order.  She has learned how to "face" or "spine" a book to allow for space and attractiveness on the shelf.  As the bookstore receives new shipments, more books are added to the shelves.  Norma has been working in this one area of the bookstore and really enjoys the work.  She said that it gave her an opportunity to learn new authors and what books are available.  The tasks that she performs allow Norma's skills and experience to shine through.  Norma also enjoys the social aspect of the work where she has the opportunity to chat with customers and the employees about books. 

Norma is also involved in the community through service at the Thrift Store in Gassaway and the Senior Citizens in Sutton.  She attends church on a regular basis with her family and feels that Braxton County is now her new home. 

No Limits

Spencer is a recent high school graduate looking to make his mark in his community.  It didn't take Spencer long to find his fit into a small family niche at the Holiday Inn Express.  With the booming gas and oil industry in the area, the local hotel staff are more than busy.  Spencer was able to step right in to the group and alleviate the work load for the housekeepers.  He learned the hotel standard for folding and washing the linens, stripping and cleaning the rooms, and general housekeeping duties.  He started his work schedule with two days a week and increased his time to three days per week.  When talking with the hotel staff, they agree that Spencer's hard work pays off and his free spirit adds an integral part to the family dynamic at the hotel.  But Spencer doesn't stop there.  He is an active member in his community and an avid WVU fan.  He is also extremely fond of the entertainment industry and is scheduled for a tour and possible volunteer assigment with a local volunteer based theatre group, MT Pockets.  With all of Spencer's interests and tenancity Spencer has no limits. 

In Memory of Dave Hammis 

 For the past three years Dave has been coming to train all of us here at Job Squad in Bridgeport, WV. My memories are of long days full of wonderful discussions with job seekers and business owners. Dave helped me write my first two PASSes. It's hard to imagine not seeing his gentle smile at our office henceforth. This little video may help us remember a dear friend and mentor who was always willing to share his passions and skills.