(Almost) Reckless 1.5 - Ted Dennard
May 28, 2025
Ted Dennard, Founder and Head Beekeeper of Savannah Bee Company, shares his journey from a small-town childhood in St. Simons Island to revolutionizing honey branding. He passionately discusses the importance of authenticity in business, recounts his unique path of learning beekeeping through the Peace Corps, and reflects on failures as stepping stones to success. Ted emphasizes the value of teamwork and the significance of staying true to one’s story while navigating the complexities of growth without compromising integrity.
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From Teen Hobby To Honey Business
- Ted discovered beekeeping as a teen helping Roy Hightower and fell in love with honey's variety and color.
- He later taught beekeeping in the Peace Corps and returned to sell artisanal honey from his kitchen.
Wine Bottles, Kinko's Labels, Kitchen Production
- Ted started bottling honey in wine bottles and hexagonal jars to elevate perception and match quality.
- He made labels at Kinko's and filled jars in his kitchen while balancing other jobs.
Sell In Person First
- Test products face-to-face: Amy and Ted emphasize visiting stores and selling locally before scaling.
- Use in-person feedback to learn packaging, pricing, and customer preferences early.
