Bees and Second Chances: How Beekeeping IS TransformING a Life After Prison
On a rainy Sunday, we had the pleasure of meeting Trip—a truly great guy with a powerful story. Trip just got out of prison 10 days ago, but while he was serving time, he was already thinking ahead. He knew he wanted a fresh start, and his plan? Beekeeping.
Thanks to HopeWorks Memphis, an amazing prison ministry, Trip connected with Suzanne, a fellow Hive Club Member. She’s been helping him get back on his feet, and as luck would have it, she introduced him to us. We were thrilled to sit down with Trip, swap stories, and talk shop about bees. Seven years ago, we were exactly where he is now—starting fresh, eager to learn, and determined to make something good out of life.
Trip has big dreams. He doesn’t just want to be a beekeeper; he wants to turn it into a business, selling honey, wax, and everything else bees create. We’re rooting for him, and we hope you’ll join us in supporting him. We can’t wait for the day you’re buying his honey!
During our chat, we talked about the life lessons beekeeping teaches: patience, teamwork, and resilience. As it turns out, bees and prison have more in common than you might think.
1. Patience
Just like bees take their time building the hive one cell at a time, Trip learned that real change can’t be rushed. In prison, he discovered that patience is key to surviving tough times.
2. Teamwork
In a beehive, every bee has a role, working for the good of the hive. Trip shared how in prison, he had to lean on others to make it through. He found support in people like Suzanne, who’ve helped him rebuild his life one step at a time.
3. Resilience
Bees get knocked down by storms or predators but always rebuild. For Trip, getting out of prison is just one step in rebuilding his life. He’s determined not to let setbacks define him. As he said, “One step at a time.”
Of course, starting a beekeeping business isn’t cheap. When Trip asked how much it costs to get started, we gave him the truth: there’s an upfront investment, but once you’ve got the setup, it lasts. And thanks to our amazing Hive Club Members, we were able to offer Trip his very own hive setup and his first bee suit—free of charge. That’s right, you guys made it possible! How incredible is that?
This is just the beginning of Trip’s story, and we’ll be sharing more updates as he starts his beekeeping journey. If you’d like to help us support more stories like Trip’s, consider joining The Hive Club. For as little as $1 a month, you can make a real difference. Click here to join today.
A huge shoutout to Suzanne for her kindness and heart of gold. She’s making a lasting impact, one person at a time, and we’re so proud to work alongside her. This is what Bee 901 Co. is all about—thinking like honey bees, helping each other, and making Memphis a better place. 🖤💛
Stay tuned for more from Trip and his journey!
Suzanne, Trip, & Kevin
Kevin Woods // Creative Director & Beekeeper