Jillian + Kim :: The Bee Charmers
RE: Direction
I love the Duluth Trading Company - Women On A Mission series where they use real women to test their gear and model their products.
Artists, artisans, farmers and ranchers, educators and contractors – each woman forging her own way in the arts, industry or trade.
{So bad ass.}
It was here that I discovered the story of Jillian and her partner Kim, two wonderful women who left the Chicago Board of Trade to pursue a quieter life working outside with bees in North Carolina.
They were so kind to answer a few of my questions and share their story.
I can't wait to meet them someday....
"I just can't believe this is what I get to do for a living. I turn 60 this year and since moving here and taking up hiking in some of the most beautiful national forests, climbing alongside waterfalls, I count my blessings. I followed my dream ... thankful ... every day.” -- Jillian K.."
Describe the moment when you knew something in your life needed to change?
Jillian developed food allergies and changed our diets (she cooks). In addition to cutting out gluten and dairy, she cut out white refined sugar and began experimenting with honey.
We took some bee keeping classes in Chicago. A friend told us we had so much bee crap in our house we could open a store. HUGE LIGHT BULB MOMENT!
Give us an idea of your life's trajectory from the kid you remembered to the woman you are now?
Both of us have always been out going, adventurous and out spoken. Working at the Chicago Board of Trade in a mans world was not in the plan, but it's where we met and it also changed our lives.
Tell Me - Why you do What you do?
Bees matter. Without them we're all in trouble. We get to be creative and be our own bosses.
What surprises you about your journey so far? Has it all been calculated, strategized? Or was there a surrender to unknown?
A bit of each really. Also we both have separate skills that help balance what is needed in our business.
Kim handles both the retail financial end of the business. Jillian's art background helps with the design end (t-shirts, candles, infusing honey) and I LOVE to cook...especially with honey!
What have been some of the greatest challenges in making the move from Chicago to Asheville?
Breaking into an "ol boys" network of bee keepers. Once they saw that we get out there and do the physically challenging sweaty (and rewarding) work they do, it began to open a few doors to allow us to work with other ethical bee keepers.
Plus we had no knowledge of retail what so ever.
Did your "age" have any determination in your motivation to change?
Not in a negative way.
We told ourselves that we have more wisdom, maturity and patience on our side and believed we could make better decisions that were thought and talked out instead of impulsive. We built a life around our passions.
There are so many different ideas of what "successful" looks like but what does success mean to you?
Freedom.
Free to make our lives look what we want them to on our terms. Employing local people and if they choose to have health care, we pay half. It feels good.
How do you deal with self doubt or insecurity?
Communicate with each other and bring what's bothering you in the moment out into the light. We're not afraid to ask for help. We hired a business consultant who is like the Mr. Rogers of business.
What kind of support did you receive in your redirection?
From each other really. In the beginning both our families were nervous for us and eventually came around once they saw our dream become a physical reality.
How has your life changed since you started this new venture?
Connecting to bees has opened and connected our lives to so many new experiences and people. We've been bee keeping with people form Israel, Brazil, Germany, Ireland and France.
We collaborate with other local businesses in Asheville to support and create new ideas.
This business has only expanded our world, minds and hearts in a way we never expected.
What advice has been the most helpful in your life when following your dreams?
You have to try on a few pair of shoes to find out what fits and it's important to know what you don't want to do in life too.
Tell me about a failure that you learned from?
We failed at work life balance in the beginning only because we share the same work ethic and failure was not going to be an option for us.
What motivates or inspires you?
Challenging ourselves to try something new. Take a chance, really, you just never know and careful what you wish for.
Name 1 or 2 women who you admire?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg for being one of the "first" and Rachel Maddow - Fact finder, truth teller, no shit taker.
If you could look back and give yourself some advice as you were starting out, what would it be?
Break up with fear and begin hanging out more with joy, faith and hope.
They're much more optimistic and look gorgeous reflecting back on you in the mirror.
How can readers learn more about Asheville Bee Charmer? And what would you want your legacy to be?
Besides visiting us at our honey tasting bar for an amazing experience, visit us on our website, social media or if you're stopping in Asheville, let us know, maybe we can go bee keeping together.
You don't have to be a beekeeper to save a bee.
