Queen Bee

When Hilary and I came to Monte Cristo we were given the challenge of finding some business opportunities that would help with their goal of becoming self-sustainable. Our first road led us to producing honey, a business we researched all the way to the border of Mexico, where we visited a honey cooperative. It turned out not to be the right fit, but we continued with a venture closely related, which is to make body butter and lip balm using beeswax. We played around with a couple of names, none of which really clicked, but we handed the marketing and graphic design over to a family member, who came up with the beautiful logo and name of our new lotion business- Queen Bee.

8 Ounce Queen Bee Body Butter

For three months we have been playing with recipes and finally have three finalized. One product will be a lip balm in flavors such as coconut, vanilla, and mint. Our main lotion will be a body butter with the same flavors, but we want to change mint out with a lavender smell. Finally, we also have an oiler lotion that we want to sell as an aromatic massage oil, hopefully to consumers and spa owners in local tourist areas. All Queen Bee products are 100% natural and distinct from any products we have seen in Guatemala. Apart from the quality of the product, local companies can’t seem to find quality containers, so all of them look poorly made. Most of them are also overpriced, even for foreigners. I don’t know many people that would pay over five dollars for a tube of chapstick. Hilary and I imported some fancier tubs and chapstick tubes and are keeping our prices in the medium range for tourists. We also have a price point that could be sold in more local markets when we’re ready to expand.

.25 Ounce Queen Bee Beeswax Lip Balm

We’re hugely excited about Queen Bee and hope to have it showcased in local stores soon. Make sure to keep up with our progress! Below are some samples that we’re stoked to start showing local stores.