Interview with The Scottish Bee Company co-founder Suzie Millar
Established back in 2017, The Scottish Bee Company started out as a heartfelt response to dwindling bee numbers in Scotland. Find out what inspired Suzie Millar to co-found the business.
What is the idea behind The Scottish Bee Company?
At the very heart of our vision was a plan for rural regeneration, to give more hives to artisanal farmers, who would in turn prioritise saving bees, seeding more wildflower spaces whilst creating more high-end, in tune with nature products. Scottish Heather honey, to those not in the know, is awash with beneficial manganese, that puts it on a superfood pedestal that’s in line with New Zealand Manuka honey!
We have also created an ambitious RePollinate charity that proactively funds (and educates about) the vital importance of wildflower spaces.
What was the lightbulb moment you knew you were onto something?
Appreciating the growing appetite for customers to buy natural, healthy and responsibly sourced foods and drinks but not knowing who to trust!
What’s your career background?
I was actually a chiropractor in a previous life, a career that I essentially enjoyed but found lonely. Some might assume that’s an unusual pathway into food BUT outside the useful ‘outsider’s perspective’ is the undeniable truth is that good chiropractors champion quality foods as remedies all year long.
What is The Scottish Bee Company’s USP?
Reassuringly in tune with nature!
Who is your ideal customer?
Anyone with a heartfelt appreciation of heathier living albeit our latest data suggests that both Scottish Bee Co and Nuisance drinks are ‘female dominant’ and appeal to those with an inbuilt inquisitiveness to explore nature’s abundant larder.
What obstacles have you had to overcome?
Like many we were blindsided by the maelstrom that was COVID. In our case it was signing up to a warehouse that was ambitiously big. Not an issue initially however when COVID and Brexit struck and the pound slump, we were stuck with an asset we simply couldn’t escape for 5 years
What’s been your business highlight?
There have been a number but we have a really positive feeling about our purchase of Nuisance Drinks, I mean who couldn’t fall for a foraging inspired brand that draws upon the countryside, making heroes of historically under-appreciated ingredients. All-natural drinks I might add that are under 50 calories a drink!
And your biggest gripe?
The nation’s lazy infatuation with mass market products devoid of appetite appeal, honest ingredients and nutritional worth!
What’s been your best business move?
Creating and building a trusted business that reflects Iain and my original values: natural, healthy, responsibly sourced and in tune with Nature.
What are your new product additions?
We have just launched an incredible best-in-class chocolate spread, tapping into the growing appreciation of International Cuisine, but without any of the lazy processed sugars and artificial extras baggage! Our velvety chocolate spread offers the perfect blend of Fairtrade chocolate, ethically sourced Scottish milk and ladles of dreamy Scottish blossom honey.
We’re also a business that’s on the acquisition trail and recently purchased Nuisance Drinks, a range of all-natural adult soft drinks that extends our reach beyond honey, condiments, dressings and infused vinegars into stylish botanical brews made from nature’s unsung ingredients.
We have just launched an umbrella brand, Natural Larder Collective that will initially house both Scottish Bee Co and Nuisance Drinks offerings, before seeking out a number of other inspirational SMEs to join its family of nature friendly challenger brands. The move reflects the growth of Scottish Bee far beyond its Scottish borders and wider ambitions to be a trusted hub for classy, all-natural food and drink offerings.
What does The Scottish Bee Company look like two years down the line?
Scottish Bee Co will continue to spread its sticky joy in a number of gastronomic guises, ably assisted by a proud stable of equally alluring, ‘at one with nature,’ gourmet brands.
Find out more about The Scottish Bee Company.
