Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joseph Register, owner of Register Family Farm, located in Freeport, FL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are a full-scale, family-run honeybee farm that specializes in premium honey and other products from the hive. The farm is run by five siblings of the Register family and their spouses. They are all Army Veterans [3 Airborne Rangers, 2 Medical Service Officers, a Military Police Officer and Transportation Officer (but we love him anyway)]. We love to interact with our customers and typically sell our products at five or more farmers' markets or other events in our area during the week. We also have a great network of retailers that carry our products and a fantastic website that allows us to reach our customers all across the U.S.

Tell us about yourself

After leaving the Army in 2011, I was on the hunt for an idea to start a business but was unsure of what direction to take. I worked with my brother in my father's cabinet installation business for a couple of years but knew I needed to find something that I could mold and grow for my family. The opportunity came in 2013 after hearing a bee farmer speak at an event. I worked for him a few times in order to learn more about the bees and what a honeybee farm does. After a few trips, I got "bee fever," The rest is a whirlwind of sweat, lack of sleep, and lots of bee stings.

It was exciting and awesome! (I'm sure glad I don't have to relive those early years of figuring everything out the hard way, though). With lots of background support from my wife and my parents, my brother and I grew our little operation to 1,000 colonies in 3 years. At the same time, my wife, Elisabeth, and I started the brand. We figured out how to market the honey and develop unique and effective skincare products utilizing the amazing properties of honey and beeswax.

I have a strong desire for this to be a multi-generational farm and allow my children, nieces, and nephews to be a part of this organization and provide for their families while working together. The future is unknowable, but I'll do whatever it takes to help this operation succeed and provide that opportunity to them.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Without a doubt, the biggest accomplishment for me as a business owner was staying focused on the goal and not folding the business during the early, lean years. The strain on time and finances, as well as the inability to prioritize anything above the survival of the company, was significant.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

As a business owner, you don't have a narrowly defined set of responsibilities. It doesn't matter what was supposed to happen or who was supposed to do any specific thing. In the end, the business is successful because you are responsible for making everything work. There are times of low stress, but rarely is there a time of no stress. It is up to you to ensure the success of your business, and no one cares as much as you do.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Take a long view of the endeavor. Don't look for short-term gain to the detriment of where you want to be in 10 years. Buckle up and do what it takes in the first 3+ years, so you can enjoy the business you created moving forward.
  2. Avoid excessive debt. This one seems obvious, but there is a fine balance, and you have to stay on the correct side, or your venture will be short-lived.
  3. You will likely start as your own best employee, but as you grow, find good people and figure out how to keep them. Create a culture that people want to be a part of, and pay them what they are worth. A good employee is worth their weight in Tupelo Honey!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Everyone has a different journey, and mine is particularly unique. I have been blessed to be able to work with my family to build this business, and the success we have enjoyed has been earned by our mutual efforts and sacrifice. Over the years, four of my five siblings and their spouses have decided to join in what we are building. My parents have spent countless hours supporting our efforts, from building projects and painting to sewing customized bee suites and extracting.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://registerfamilyfarm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registerfamilyfarm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/registerfamilyfarm/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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