ABOUT HONEYBEE GARDENS
Honeybee Gardens was created in 1995 by author and herbalist Melissa J.
Hertzler. Years of herbal study prompted Ms. Hertzler to create natural
personal care products for her and her family. What began as kitchen
cosmetics soon turned into a profitable enterprise.
True origins of Honeybee
Gardens
 I started my business, Honeybee Gardens -
manufacturer of all natural herbal bath and body care products, in
August of 1995. I was 27 years old, and working for an architectural
firm. I was also back in college working on an MBA. And I wasn't happy.
It had finally sunken-in that I was not born wealthy, I would have to be
working for at least the next 35 years of my life, so I'd better do
something that gives me some joy.
As with many businesses, my
company was created out of a simple need. I married my husband, Randy,
not long after graduating from college in 1990. As newlyweds, you begin
to learn things about the other person because you now live with them. I
soon discovered something about Randy - he hated shaving. His face
would become red and irritated with the first swipe of a razor. I used
to buy him expensive aftershaves and shaving potions, but nothing seemed
to work (some even aggravated the problem). I had been growing and
studying herbs for years, and decided to test some of that knowledge in
order to save my husband's face. It took time. Randy, acting as guinea
pig, sampled formulas on almost a daily basis. One was too gentle. One
wasn't as soothing. With each trial, the results were documented. More
research ensued. Finally, one day, he proclaimed, "This is it!", and our
Herbal Aftershave was born.
But starting a business was not my
intention. For years my husband coaxed me to share this wonderful
formula with the public. By now, I was making moisturizers, powders and
other preparations in addition to the aftershave. I just didn't think
this little hobby of mine could take the place of my good paycheck,
benefits, etc. But corporate life left much to be desired. After working
eight hours a day in sterile, sickly, artificially-lit environments, I
routinely retreated to my herb gardens for solace. Nightly, I retired to
my library to learn more about these glorious useful plants. It was so
soothing to view the lovely pictures of heavenly gardens, while feeding
my desire for knowledge. Having an herbal business would be the perfect
marriage of my acquired business skills, desire for independence, and
love of gardening. Financially though, it just didn't seem like a
possibility.
And then it happened. After a particularly
exhausting day, my husband looked at me and said, "You're spending all
this time working to build and maintain other people's businesses, when
you could be building your own." He was right. The next day I called my
lawyer and had him start the paperwork. Honeybee Gardens was born.
 The
first mail order catalog was designed on my home computer, printed on
an ink jet printer, and contained only six products. I placed word ads
in herb magazines. And requests for my catalogs started coming. After
only one year in business, Honeybee Gardens began to receive attention
and recognition from well-known authors and herbalists. (Let me note,
that at this point, I still had my part time job with the architectural
firm). The Summer '96 catalog introduced over 25 new products, and HBG
was featured in the local newspaper (ya know, the one I used to work
for!). By 1997, things were starting to get serious. I knew that in
order to take the next step, I had to make an investment. My husband
gave me money from his retirement fund (with the words, "Why invest in
some big company, when I can invest in yours"). I hired graphic artists
to create the Honeybee Gardens logo and implemented professional
labeling of my products. A professional catalog, letterhead and business
cards were introduced, and credit card acceptance began. I knew my time
at the other firm was limited. 1998 brought a web site, national
distribution by two major natural product distributors, a design award
for my logo, articles in trade publications and an herbal cookbook,
expansion of contract manufacturing, private label services and finally
full-time employment for me by my own company. By 1999 things were
starting to go pretty well. We participated in our first international
trade show and landed a huge private label contract with a well-known
company. We were also picked up by another national distributor and
began distribution in Canada. By the year 2000, we signed on a group of
sales reps for the New England area who did a spectacular job,
highlighted by getting us more distribution and getting our products
into natural grocery chains such as Whole Foods Markets. Also, we picked
up more private label work. Perhaps most exciting was a contract at the
end of the year with American Airlines to do their in-flight amenities!
And on July 1, 2001, Honeybee Gardens became a corporation. We are
gaining market share in the natural body care business, and have a
thriving private label practice called Distinctive Identities, Inc.,
doing large projects for well-known corporate clients. Our work has
given the Honeybee Gardens brand world wide exposure.
It wasn't
easy...and it's still not easy. I work, literally, from morning 'til
night. I can't tell you how many times my husband wakes up at 2:00 a.m.,
walks into my home office, and peels my face off the keyboard. I miss
the twice yearly vacations my husband and I used to take - I just can't
be away from HBG that long. That daily jog I used to do with my friends
after work - gone. Since my work days are no longer "8 to 5", I find it
difficult to just stop working and drive out to meet them. So I bought a
treadmill. My husband accuses me of being a workaholic, and I've
resolved to address that issue. I plan to exercise regularly, pry myself
away from my telephone and computer at least twice a day, delegate
responsibility to my employees, and endeavor to have at least one
conversation a day that is NOT business related. But there are rewards
too. My animals love that I can take them to work with me when they're
in the mood. Nobody cares what I'm wearing to work, or if I have make-up
on because it's my company and I want everyone to be comfortable. And
I'm creating my OWN destiny. It feels so good to finally have my
products - which were originally formulated in my KITCHEN - right up
there next to those well-known brands....to have people write letters to
me thanking me for creating products which are 100% natural and don't
cause skin irritation or pollute the environment....to have the
possibility of having enough money to make a difference in my community
in some way (to give back). When I sit down and think about it, it's
really a dream come true.
NATURAL IS BETTER
Honeybee Gardens products are created entirely of natural materials. You
can actually pronounce our ingredients! We reuse and recycle as much as
possible and, perhaps most importantly, we DO NOT test ANY of our
products on animals (those are strict orders from our dachshund
'Ginger', ten pussycats, 'Pekoe' the lovebird, 'Tortuga' the turtle and
'Dim Sum' the Chinese hamster)!
We take great pride in providing
our customers with the finest herbal products and customer service. We
sincerely welcome comments and opinions, and are available to help with
any questions you may have. So try our all-natural herbal body care
products and experience nature's supremacy.
OUR MISSION
Since 1995, Honeybee Gardens, Inc. has operated under one simple
concept, "Create pure, all-natural bath and body care products made from
only the finest organic ingredients, offer them at a reasonable price,
and treat every customer like a friend." Along the way, we've managed to
do some things we're very proud of. For starters, under no
circumstances do we do animal testing, our packaging is made from 100%
recyclable materials, and our raw material suppliers practice
responsible harvesting.
But Honeybee Gardens, Inc. also takes pride in the communities in
which we operate. We contract with a retail order fulfillment center
that provides jobs to the physically challenged. One of our contract
packagers provides jobs to mentally challenged individuals. Our soap
company in Western Pennsylvania provides sample and production overruns
to area charities and shelters for abused women and children, as well as
the homeless. Profits on sales from our new "Cherokee" lipstick color
go to support Native American festivals and charities. And since
Honeybee Gardens, Inc. contracts with manufacturing facilities across
the entire US, our growth (roughly 300% annually for the past three
years) helps provide jobs and supports local economies nationwide.
We're not your typical cosmetics company. We don't make products that
follow the hottest new trends. We don't make false advertising claims
or try to convince you that our products can perform miracles. All we do
is make really good products made from really good ingredients that
really work. That's it. We try to satisfy the real needs of real people.
Oh yeah, we have really great customer service too.
Honeybee Gardens, Inc., a division of HBG Enterprises, Inc.
Remembering our place in nature, and nature's place in us. Our Guarantee
We stand by our products. We use natural, wholesome ingredients, and
we want our customers to be satisfied with what they purchase from
Honeybee Gardens. If you are dissatisfied in any way, please call or write
us (NATURAL SOLUTIONS) giving your reason for returning the product. NATURAL SOLUTIONS will contact you regarding procedures. As always, we welcome your comments and love
hearing from you.
Disclaimer
People can be allergic to anything. We recommend that you patch
test* your skin the first time you use any of our products. If any
adverse reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately. Our body care
products are for external use only. No medical claims are implied in
this catalog, and the information herein is not intended be used for
self diagnosis or self treatment of any condition.
Patch Test?
It's always a good idea to test your skin to check for a reaction
from any new products that you are going to use on your skin. Apply a
small amount of the new product to clean skin on the inside of your
elbow. Cover with a bandage and leave for 24 hours. If a rash or redness
appears, do not use this product. If any of our products get into your
eyes, flush with water immediately. If any irritation occurs, consult a
physician immediately. Do not take any products internally. Highlights: - Vegan and Gluten Free Selections
- Free of GMO Ingredients, Parabens, Mineral Oils, Synthetic Fragrances, Nano or Micronized-sized particles
- 100% recyclable materials
- No Animal Testing
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