Discussion with Our Website's Founder in Fall: Highlights Revealed
Interview with the Man behind the Manuka Honey Magic
Buckle up, dudes! Today, we're chatting it up with Mike Bell, the fearless founder of our favorite honey site. Born with a deep fondness for New Zealand's natural treasure trove, Mike's journey began with an insatiable curiosity about Manuka honey. This dude's story is one dude's dream come true, filled with surf, beaches, and adventure.
Let's dive in and learn more about Mike’s deep connection to New Zealand, his wellness philosophy, and the amazing tale that brought this website to life.
(Mike and Jim, the master beekeeper, in the Far North checking out some of Jim’s Manuka frames)
Hey, Mike! What's your deal beyond work, this Manuka honey gig, and the whole beekeeper thing?
Back in the day, my life was all work, baby. I was too focused on building this bad boy to even think about anything else. But these days, I'm all about finding that work-life balance and squeezing in some fun stuff. If there's one thing I love, it's the great outdoors - catch some waves, hike, or ski whenever I get the chance. Nature fills my soul, man!
Foodies, feast your eyes! My wife and I are total suckers for anything tasty and good for you. We can't get enough of unique and passionate brands and restaurants.
(Mike out surfing in the ocean, catching some waves and chilling)
So, you've got this legendary collaboration with Bryce Hooton, the blind beekeeper. Tell us more about his wisdom and how it impacted our website's values.
Bryce is one legit dude, y'all. Meeting him was a gift, and he shared so much insider knowledge with me. Manuka honey - this liquid gold hiding in my backyard - from the pioneer Manuka beekeeper of New Zealand. Talk about epic!
What blew me away about Bryce was his love for the bees and the land. If you take care of those two things, you produce top-notch product, man!
Without sight, Bryce had to rely on his other senses to communicate with the bees. His practices were totally different from typical commercial beekeeping operations, and we call it "The Art of Ethical Beekeeping." Over the years, we've honed these techniques and worked with talented beekeepers across New Zealand to refine them.
(Mike and Bryce back in the day, hanging out like old chums)
Alright, let's take this honey ride from a simple operation in a rural New Zealand shed to a well-known brand in the States.
Man, those early days were a blast. I was knee-deep in Bryce's honey operation, learning everything I could from this cool dude. I was packing honey at a shed near the Kaimai Ranges in Matamata, and can you believe I consumed more honey than I sold in those days? That stuff got everywhere!
I started focusing on building the brand and selling this killer superfood once I got the hang of it. I sold honey at local farmer's markets and our first sales channel was Amazon! It was exciting to see the business grow, little by little. We've faced some luck along the way, but it's amazing to see where the brand stands now and what we've accomplished. We've just barely scratched the surface; there's more hard work ahead, and we're ready for it!
(The first office in the back of the original honey packing shed in the Waikato)
New Zealand's natural beauty is crucial to our honey's quality. Which regions or landscapes are the honey sweet spots?
Manuka trees have been part of New Zealand for ages, and the indigenous Maori people used them in their traditional wellness remedies. The Manuka plant loves Northland, the East Cape, Wanganui, and Taranaki - these regions boast the perfect growing conditions for producing the best Manuka honey.
We house our bees in dense, remote Manuka forests to ensure we deliver the purest Manuka honey possible. No pesky environmental toxins or interruptions around here!
(Jim, the master beekeeper, keeps an eye on the bees nestled deep in the remote forests of New Zealand)
Alright, wellness is important for our brains and bodies, so what are some daily habits you prioritize to stay on point?
I've neglected wellness in the past, but I'm getting way better at it now. Those pillars of nutrition, sleep, exercise, recovery, and social interactions - I'm putting in the time now!
I've worked on refining my nutrition: I'm hooked on a plant-based, whole-foods diet. I always pack my meals with as many plants as I can. Manuka honey is part of my daily wellness ritual, of course, but I also love experimenting with different combinations and applications.
(Mike with his morning smoothie bowl featuring our website's Manuka goodness)
Being rooted in New Zealand, what values or principles embody the essence of our website and the Kiwi spirit?
I'm super proud to be a Kiwi, and I think my roots have played a significant role in both my life and our website. Kiwis grow up in a land of stunning natural beauty, so we have a deep responsibility to protect this precious planet.
We’ve also been blessed with access to top-notch ingredients right from our own backyard, which has led us to focus on producing the highest purity Manuka honey.
(Our website's team hiking out in the wilds of New Zealand)
So, what makes you our website's ultimate Manuka honey enthusiast?
Man, I'm a total Manuka honey fiend! I've been fortunate enough to try thousands of batches from all over New Zealand, and the creamy, caramel deliciousness always wins me over. I start my day with a spoonful straight from the jar, and I try to have it with different foods and beverages as well. I'm always on the hunt for unique pairings and I love discerning the subtle differences between batches.
(Mike enjoying his daily dose of Manuka honey, straight out of the jar)
A quick shout-out to the books, podcasts, or resources that have influenced your personal philosophy on health, wellness, or business management.
- Fiber Fueled by Will Bulsiewicz M.D. is an awesome book if you want to learn more about a plant-based, whole-foods diet and the positive effects for gut health.
- How I Built This podcast by Guy Raz has been a massive inspiration. Check out the Orgain interview with my buddy Andrew Abraham, for example.
- Kiss the Ground is a striking documentary on Netflix that talks about regenerative farming and the opportunity for us to positively impact the climate by learning how to produce food sustainably.
Bottom line: Mike's journey shows our website's commitment to ethical beekeeping and high-quality, New Zealand-made products. We're stoked to share more about Mike's passion and the tale of how he crafted this amazing creamy, caramel Manuka honey.
Check out our trending products like the popular Manuka Honey MGO 200 and the exclusive Manuka Honey MGO 1000, which reflect our dedication to quality and sustainability. Take a deep dive into our operation with our comprehensive guide on back-to-the-source traceability to understand the journey from hive to home. Curious about the natural crystalization of honey? Read our article on why honey crystallizes for fascinating insights. And if you want to know more about the value of our products, don't miss our detailed glossary on decoding Manuka honey price value.
- Mike Bell, the founder of their favorite honey site, discusses his love for outdoor activities when he's not working, such as surfing, hiking, and skiing (lifestyle, great outdoors).
- Foodies will appreciate that Mike and his wife are passionate about unique and healthy brands and restaurants (food-and-drink, nutrition).
- Mike shares his collaboration with Bryce Hooton, the blind beekeeper, and how his wisdom impacted their website's values, leading to the development of "The Art of Ethical Beekeeping" (entrepreneurship, business, technology).
- Mike talks about the regions in New Zealand, such as Northland, East Cape, Wanganui, and Taranaki, that have perfect growing conditions for Manuka honey trees (science, New Zealand's natural beauty).
