BUSINESS is buzzing for a company which was set up to help stop the decline in the Island’s bee population, with its income doubling in the last two years.
Not only that, but Shaun Gell, founder of the Jersey Honey Company, has introduced new product ranges and is achieving his aims of increasing the number of hives in the Island as well as beekeepers.
Mr Gell spoke about the company’s progress and ranges when he was manning a pop-up stall with his latest products in De Gruchy’s department store recently.
His new infusion and essential oil ranges have been created as eco-friendly as possible and are available in candles, diffusers and room sprays.
“It’s taken three years to develop the products and to get it right,” said Mr Gell. “The candles use soya-based wax, which is as clean a burn as we can get, and we also use a cotton wick.”
Mr Gell and his wife, Anita, chose the ten new scents, which, he said “should satisfy every nose”.
None of the products are tested on animals and the company can claim a net-zero carbon footprint. One of the company’s first items, a hand cream, won the product of the year at the Pure Beauty in Global Awards in 2020, an achievement of which Mr Gell is particularly proud.
Mr Gell, who doesn’t take a wage from the business, said that some of the proceeds go to support the beekeepers and their allotments across the Island that are affiliated to the company. One of the latest beehive sites was at Radier Manor, courtesy of Lord Jersey. He also wants to encourage more people to take up beekeeping and the company runs tester sessions for anyone who might be interested in taking it up.
“You can try beekeeping with us, put on a suit and take a look at one of our beehives.
“If people are interested, we can give you an option of having a beehive on one of our allotments, which will also help to support our environment,” he said.
