Bert's Bees: The Journey from Honey Stand to Natural Personal Care Brand

Roxan Quimby and Bert Shavits started selling jars of honey from a roadside stand in Maine in the 1980s. They decided to expand their products by making candles from the beeswax they collected. This led them to explore more beeswax-based products, such as furniture polish and boot food. Eventually, they realized that skincare products were more popular and profitable, leading them to focus on lip balms and lotions. Their grassroots marketing approach, word-of-mouth recommendations, and product quality made their brand gain popularity. Their sales revenue skyrocketed from $30 million to $60 million in just one year. Eventually, Roxan bought out Bert and continued to grow the company. They moved their operations to North Carolina for better logistical reasons. Roxan aimed to create a scalable business and made strategic decisions for expansion. In 2003, Roxan sold the majority of her shares to an investment firm. She has since focused on philanthropy, particularly preserving land in Maine and other parts of the country.