Interview with David and Ashley Baker, owners
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: We started beekeeping because my mother had to have a hive removed from the walls of the house. The beekeeper who removed them said that he would bring them back in the spring, so we thought we would learn how to care for them. When Vicki Munroe decided to sell To Bee or Not to Bee, we had been considering various ways to earn some income from the hobby, and it seemed like a natural fit. The beekeeper never did bring the bees to my mother, but we’ve never looked back.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: We are the most well-established and most complete beekeeping supply store in the region. We’re proud of our relationships with local craftsman who provide a large portion of the products we sell. Our customers tell us we are knowledgeable and friendly, and we love our customers and beekeeping.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: We love helping our customers meet their beekeeping needs. Whether a “newbee” or a more experienced beekeeper, sharing knowledge and passion for the bees with them is one of the most satisfying things we know. Also, the tremendous amount of support we’ve received from customers and beekeepers during the transition in ownership has been truly humbling.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: We’ve only owned the store for a month, so the biggest challenge is the sheer amount of things there are to do. From updating the website to social media to building hives to accounting and inventory control and more. It’s a good thing we like it so much!
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Bees are really fascinating creatures and we could go on for quite a while about things that nonbeekeepers would be surprised to learn. To us, though, the most fascinating thing is that the bees can rear their own queen bee from a normal worker bee egg, just by changing its diet in the early part of its life.
Profile
Business: To Bee or Not to Bee
Address: 8280 W. Coal Mine Ave., Suite 16
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; closed Wednesday
Founded: 1990 (Beekeeper Co. became To Bee or Not to Bee in 2009)
Contact: 303-728-4422;
Employees: 2
