Community Highlights: Meet Laura Carmany of The Wholesome Hive

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Carmany.

Laura, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Wholesome Hive formed organically when interest in my husband’s hobby of beekeeping was taken to the next level. As a new stay-at-home-mom 14 years ago, I decided to experiment with beeswax that my husband was bringing home to see what could be created. After much trial and error, I came up with a basic line of lip balm, deodorant, herbal salve, and vapor rub that was highly approved of by family and friends. I then started attending local farmers’ markets and craft fairs. Since then, I have had the privilege of sharing our goods with more people through larger artisan markets as well as in the retail world. I love that by using so many natural ingredients provided for us in nature, we can promote wellness in the community and simplify lives.

We only use all natural ingredients, and most products contain beeswax from our hives. Our current line includes: lip balm, lip butter, lip luster, body butter, herbal salve, vapor rub, deodorant, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, under eye serum, lotion bars, beeswax candles, and raw honey.

Most recently, we had a bee therapy hut constructed, which invites people to lay on benches situated above, but not in contact with, beehives. This promotes relaxation and a time to reset, connect with nature, and enjoy 30 minutes without screens!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with any small business, it has been a roller coaster. It’s always encouraging when positive feedback comes from customers and when remedies we make add value for our family and friends. However, it’s also frustrating to be dependent on nature for the honey production. It’s not easy to forecast production each year because it really depends on the weather, the environment around the bees, as well as pests that hurt the bees. Also, the rise in cost of raw materials always has us reevaluating prices as well as finding the best sources while not compromising the quality of the ingredients.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Because we started as a very small business, it has been exhilarating to see its progression along the way. We are very committed to using the highest quality ingredients in order to benefit the customer, while still keeping the products affordable for the general public. For example, while it might be easier and more cost effective to use artificial fragrances, we will always choose essential oils that give the benefit of the plant’s properties while not interrupting or confusing our bodies with man-made chemicals. We love that you can read the ingredients labels and be able to pronounce them. You might even have a lot of the ingredients in your kitchen already! There is something to be said about using the plants, oils, and minerals that God has naturally provided for us in his creation to better our standard of living.

We offer all natural body care products as well as beeswax candles and raw honey, propolis spray, and pollen. We also have a bee therapy hut. Matt, the beekeeper, also removes swarms as well as bees that have taken up residence in people’s walls and floorboards.

We now have 4 children, who are all eager to help and learn the ropes. It’s fun to see them engage with nature and have a better understanding of where food comes from as well as how some things (food, materials, activities) can benefit us more than others.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up on a hobby farm where my mom grew 3 acres of flowers and herbs. I may have complained about weeding and picking the flowers, but I cherish the time my sister, cousins, and I also played in those fields. We would create scavenger hunts, play hide-and-seek, and now I see that it was quality time spent with my family. Because we were expected to help even when it wasn’t easy, it built really great work ethic in myself, and it taught me perseverance and resiliency as well as an appreciation for the outdoors!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thewholesomehive.com
• Instagram: @thewholesomehive
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheWholesomeHive
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewholesomehive2319