I. Executive Summary

• Business Name: Everglades Honey & Bee Encounters
  
  

• Location: Near Everglades National Park, Biscane National Park and the  Florida Keys
  
  

• Mission Statement: To promote sustainable beekeeping, environmental education, and local honey production through immersive, family-friendly experiences.
  
  

• Objectives:
  
  

  • Generate revenue through honey sales and eco-tourism
    
    

  • Educate visitors about bees and pollinator conservation
    
    

  • Support local biodiversity and environmental stewardship
    
    

II. Company Description

• Business Model: Hybrid – Product (honey and bee-related goods) + Service (educational tourism experiences)
  
  

• Legal Structure: LLC or sole proprietorship (to be determined)
  
  

• Unique Selling Points:
  
  

  • Location adjacent to the Everglades
    
    

  • Hands-on hive encounters with safety gear
    
    

  • Native wildflower honey and bee products
    
    

  • Eco-tourism partnerships and school programs
    
    

III. Market Analysis

• Industry Overview:
  
  

  • Growing demand for eco-tourism and local, sustainable products
    
    

  • Rising interest in bee conservation and pollinator health
    
    

• Target Markets:
  
  

  • Eco-tourists and Everglades visitors
    
    

  • Local schools and educational groups
    
    

  • Health-conscious consumers and foodies
    
    

  • Environmental organizations and volunteers
    
    

• Competitive Analysis:
  
  

  • Other apiaries may sell honey but few offer immersive experiences near a national park
    
    

  • Opportunity to create a branded, authentic experience
    
    

IV. Organization and Management

• Owner/Operator: [Your Name]
  
  

• Team Roles:
  
  

  • Beekeeper and tour guide
    
    

  • Sales and marketing coordinator
    
    

  • Support staff for maintenance and customer service
    
    

  • Optional: part-time educator or volunteer coordinator
    
    

• Advisors/Partners:
  
  

  • Local extension office or ag university
    
    

  • Everglades tourism network
    
    

  • Conservation groups
    
    

V. Services and Products

• Products:
  
  

  • Raw wildflower honey
    
    

  • Creamed and infused honey
    
    

  • Beeswax candles, soaps, lip balms
    
    

  • Branded merchandise (shirts, hats, etc.)
    
    

• Services:
  
  

  • Guided hive encounters with bee suits
    
    

  • Pollinator education workshops
    
    

  • Apiary tours (kid- and senior-friendly)
    
    

  • Special events: honey harvest days, sunset bee walks
    
    

  • School and homeschool field trips
    
    

  • Online content and video tours
    
    

VI. Marketing and Sales Strategy

• Branding: Natural, eco-friendly, local roots
  
  

• Marketing Channels:
  
  

  • Website with booking and e-commerce
    
    

  • Instagram, Facebook, TikTok (bee facts + behind-the-scenes)
    
    

  • Google Maps and TripAdvisor listing
    
    

  • Local tourism offices and Everglades park brochures
    
    

  • Booths at farmers markets and community events
    
    

• Sales Strategy:
  
  

  • Direct-to-consumer at honey stand
    
    

  • Online sales (local pickup + shipping)
    
    

  • Group rates for schools and tours
    
    

  • Email list for specials and events
    
    

VII. Operations Plan

• Location Features:
  
  

  • Outdoor shaded space with honey stand
    
    

  • Enclosed viewing area or bee hut (for rainy days or safe views)
    
    

  • Trail or walking path with pollinator plants
    
    

  • Parking and signage
    
    

• Hours of Operation:
  
  

  • Weekends for tours and encounters
    
    

  • Daily honey stand during peak season
    
    

  • Seasonal schedule (adjust for weather and bee activity)
    
    

• Equipment Needs:
  
  

  • Beekeeping supplies
    
    

  • Bee suits and gloves (adult and child sizes)
    
    

  • Display fixtures, cash register, refrigeration
    
    

  • Signage and branded tent/booth
    
    

• Safety Protocols:
  
  

  • Allergy waivers and emergency plan
    
    

  • Visitor orientation and protective gear
    
    

VIII. Financial Plan

• Startup Costs:
  
  

  • Beekeeping supplies, hives, protective gear
    
    

  • Stand setup and branding
    
    

  • Website and booking software
    
    

  • Insurance and legal fees
    
    

• Revenue Streams:
  
  

  • Honey and product sales
    
    

  • Tour and encounter fees
    
    

  • Workshops and school group bookings
    
    

  • Event hosting (bee birthday parties, photo shoots)
    
    

• Projected Expenses:
  
  

  • Beekeeping maintenance and supplies
    
    

  • Labor (if hiring staff)
    
    

  • Marketing and web hosting
    
    

  • Permits, utilities, insurance
    
    

• Break-even Analysis and Profit Goals
  
  

IX. Sustainability and Growth

• Sustainability Practices:
  
  

  • Organic methods (no pesticides)
    
    

  • Native plant landscaping
    
    

  • Education on climate and bee health
    
    

• Expansion Plans:
  
  

  • Add observation hive indoors
    
    

  • Increase hive count
    
    

  • Offer honey CSA subscriptions
    
    

  • Develop partnerships with hotels, airbnbs, and schools
    
    

  • Apply for eco-tourism grants and agri-tourism certification
    
    

X. Appendices

• Sample tour itinerary
  
  

• Product pricing sheet
  
  

• Waiver and safety forms
  
  

• Map of location
  
  

• Photos/renderings of planned setup
  
  

• Letters of support from local partners (if applicable)
  
  

Would you like help filling in any specific sections or turning this into a printable PDF business plan?