Meet Frank Mortimer | author of Bee People And The Bugs They Love

We had the good fortune of connecting with Frank Mortimer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frank, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It started both organically and out of necessity. I am a beekeeper, and as I got better at keeping bees, I got more honey. And, even though my family and I eat a lot of honey, as a certain point I had more honey than we could eat, so I started selling it. I also started using the beeswax from my hives to make lip balm, candles and hand cream. It was the same with these products, first I’d make it for my family, but soon I found that others really wanted locally produced handmade products.

The big turning point for me was when I wrote my book, BEE PEOPLE AND THE BUGS THEY LOVE, as I was getting more media attention, so I created a website for the book and all of my products. My web presence is what really launched my business and established me as, Frank The Beeman.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am the author of Bee People and the Bugs They Love, (Kensington Publishing), an adjunct instructor at the Cornell University Master Beekeeping Program, a master Beekeeper, and have written multiple articles featured in Bee Culture Magazine and American Bee Journal. As president of the Northeast NJ Beekeepers Association—a position I held for over a decade—I founded the “Honey Cup,” an annual honey tasting competition. I have promoted beekeeping by speaking to everyone from school children to gardening clubs and civic organizations. I have led beekeeping seminars at The New York Botanical Garden, and successfully campaigned for his hometown of Ridgewood to become New Jersey’s first “Bee City USA.” I am married, have three children, and beekeeping is something the whole family enjoys doing together. For more information, please visit FrankTheBeeman.com

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first place I’d take them would be to Madison Square Garden to see the New York Rangers play. I am a huge hockey fan, and there is nothing better than seeing the Rangers play at the Garden!

Second would be the Jersey shore. With over 100 miles of coastline, Jersey’s beaches are some of the best in the U.S.

I love to BBQ, so instead of taking them to a restaurant, I’d fire up my smoker and make them some of the best BBQ they’ve ever had.

Last, no trip would be complete without a trip to my apiary to see/expereince the bees.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Cornell University Master Beekeeping Program. Going through the 15 month program and becoming a Cornell Master Beekeeper gave me the knowledge and foundation to do so much more with my beekeeping experience.

Website: https://frankthebeeman.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franks.honey/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frankshoney

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@frankthebeeman