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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Martin James was just nine years old when he took his first beekeeping class at USU. After the class his dad helped him build three hives and keep them out in the backyard. And his life passion was born.
Beekeeping is what lead to the creation of his Mendon company, Slide Ridge Honey. Not only do they provide pure local honey, they've also developed a market for honey wines and honey wine vinegar. They're one of only three companies in the world producing honey wine vinegar.
It took Martin seven years to perfect the vinegar-making process. He taught himself the process through study and trial and error. It takes two years to create just one batch. But honey wine vinegar was the sustainable product he was looking for to supplement honey sales and bee pollination, when his bees go to California to pollinate the almond orchards during the California spring. It also became the unique product he wanted to ship out.
Slide Ridge Honey is taking off in stores across the United States. In fact, last August they were the product of the month in Whole Foods, a major honor. Martin says it's smart to eat locally produced honey because it helps with immunity and allergens.
Slide Ridge Honey is also a licensed winery, with products available at fifteen state retailers already. But the popularity far exceeds supply, so they have a hard time keeping inventory on the shelves, a problem they're working to remedy. It took a lot of trial and error but as a self-taught wine maker, Martin put together an exceptional product. He learned on his own, believing in the power of books and using that power to help guide him into figuring out what worked.
Slide Ridge Honey has up to fifteen employees, along with many volunteers who just want to work with the bees and to learn about beekeeping. It's a strong family business with Martin's parents, two sisters and a brother employed full-time, with another brother who is an investor.
To see the Slide Ridge Honey products, visit slideridge.com.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Slide Ridge Honey 435-752-4956 475 E. 250 South Mendon, UT 84325; www.slideridge.com
