Whyle Bees add sweet sensation to market
A small-scale beekeeper from a farm near Alexandria will create a buzz among visitors to the SPAR Valley Market at Chicky’s Yard in the Baakens Valley on Saturday.
Margo Whyle, the owner of Whyle Bees, said their coastal wild-flower honey was harvested on their doorstep and was unique and very tasty.
“We use only recycled glass jars, which means honey is sold on a per-weight basis, varying from 300g to 1.5kg.
Whyle creates various lip balm variants from the beeswax, as well as soaps and body balm.
“Our beeswax products are very luxurious, using only the finest ingredients.
“I’ve chosen a few essential oils throughout my line that I feel complement them well. These include neroli, peppermint, sweet orange and tea tree.”
She added that honey was always a hit as people were fascinated by the golden liquid and its properties.
“Because I’m small scale I don’t always have it all year round, so the beeswax products have been a welcome addition.”
Whyle, who is a farmer’s wife, started her company because she needed to keep herself busy and “out of mischief” and felt this was a logical step.
“Little did I know I would fall in love with the art of beekeeping. Apart from selling the honey, I soon realised that I’d generate a fair amount of beeswax and needed to find something productive to do with it.
“After many hours of experimenting in the kitchen, I soon developed my own unique range of artisanal beeswax products that have become the main feature of my growing business.”
Whyle said she was blown away by the public’s response. She had received plenty of positive feedback and it was rewarding to watch the business go from strength to strength.
“The product is doing very well at various farm stalls and boutique shops across the province.”
She added that she was thrilled to be part of the Valley Market and Goodnight Market set-up.
“I believe it’s a great space to grow and meet new people. Networking is key when you’re a small business owner and establishing a relationship with clients can only lead to further development.
“I’ve had many requests online with regards to where people can purchase my goods in Port Elizabeth, and it’s great to now have a foot in the door in the Friendly City.”
Whyle hopes to develop a baby range in the near future, because being a mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old she is always looking for natural and gentle products for delicate skin.
The Valley Market doors will be open from 9am to 2pm on Saturday with all proceeds going towards Love Story’s soup kitchens across the city.