Meet Jacob; Ellie Levins; Marshall | Founder & CEO; Co-Founder & COO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob; Ellie Levins; Marshall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacob; Ellie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
We strongly believe in taking calculated risks. That mindset didn’t come naturally to us at first, but owning a business has really shifted our perspective. Over time, we’ve come to see risk not as something to fear, but as a necessary part of growth. Risk has played a pivotal role in both our personal and professional journeys. If we hadn’t been willing to step outside our comfort zones, we might never have started this business—or even met each other. We also likely wouldn’t be where we are today in our day jobs. Taking risks has opened doors, sparked new opportunities, and allowed us to thrive—not just in our careers, but in our everyday lives as well.

What should our readers know about your business?
We’re a Polk County, Florida–based apiary currently operating 20 beehives—and rapidly growing beyond that. At Hive Happy Honey, our motto is “Live happy with Hive Happy,” and that motto guides everything we do. We’re dedicated to providing high-quality, raw, unfiltered honey, along with skincare and home goods made with honey and beeswax sourced directly from our own hives.

We never cut corners to save money at the expense of quality. Instead, we believe skincare and home products should be made with simple, all-natural ingredients you can trust. What truly sets us apart is that the majority of what goes into our products—whether it’s beeswax for lotion or honey for infusions—comes straight from our own hives. That direct connection ensures purity, sustainability, and integrity in everything we offer.

Getting to where we are today has taken countless long nights, hard work seven days a week, and the support and guidance of some truly incredible people. We currently serve around 15 wholesale clients, including Chamberlin’s Natural Foods and select 7-Eleven locations in the Lakeland area. None of that would’ve happened without consistency, grit, and a strong community behind us.

This journey hasn’t been easy—it’s time-consuming, demanding, and filled with sacrifice. But we’ve learned to face every challenge with excitement, determination, and a deep commitment to giving our best. As a couple running a business together, we’ve grown stronger through the process. It’s taught us patience, persistence, and the importance of staying grounded in our values.

More than anything, we want the world to know that at Hive Happy Honey, we will always prioritize our customers’ well-being over profit. We’re committed to staying family-owned and independent—no matter how tempting a corporate buyout might be. This business is built with love, purpose, and a promise to keep things real, local, and honest.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If our best friends were visiting Lakeland and the surrounding areas, we’d make sure they got the full experience of what Polk County has to offer. We’d start with lunch at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill in Downtown Lakeland—there’s no better place for boudin balls and a delicious Southern-inspired entrée. For dinner, Palace Pizza is a must for authentic Italian-style pizza right in the heart of downtown.

For drinks, we’d kick things off at The Rec Room in Lakeland. If we were heading out in Winter Haven, we’d make a night of it with stops at Jessie’s, Jensen’s, Barrel 239, Central Tavern, and Union Taproom—all great local spots with their own unique vibe.

When it comes to entertainment, we’d hit Lakeside Village for some shopping and a movie, then spend time outdoors at Circle B Bar Reserve and Bonnet Springs Park, two beautiful spots that showcase Central Florida’s natural beauty. We’re also big fans of puzzle-solving fun, so we’d definitely take them to do a few escape rooms at both Escapology and Lakeland Escape Rooms.

In Polk County, some of the best places to hang out are Downtown Lakeland and Downtown Winter Haven. Our go-to local favorites include Bistro Pizza, Upper Crust, Harry’s, Smith’s American Tavern, Lucille’s, Mojo Federal, The Chop Shop, and of course, the two escape room venues. We’d also make sure to visit The Joinery, Swan Brewing, and Lugo’s Craft Distillery—they’re all must-visit spots that really highlight the charm and creativity of our community.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We’d love to give a heartfelt shoutout to Jeremiah and Kathryn Lewis of Spurzile’s Gourmet Grand Bakery. They’ve been absolutely instrumental in our success. From countless hours spent refining our business strategy to helping us improve our marketing and branding, and even opening doors for us in the wholesale market—their support has truly shaped the path of Hive Happy Honey. We can confidently say that our business wouldn’t be what it is today without their guidance and generosity.

We also want to recognize Dominic Burkett of Dixieland Night Market & Emporium Lakeland. Dom gave us a chance to sell our honey when most other markets had already filled their honey vendor spots. That early opportunity meant the world to us.

A big shoutout as well to Jordan and the team at Pour Bear Coffee for helping us expand our brand presence in the Lakeland market. The Lakeland community has embraced our story and our products in such a meaningful way.

And lastly, a massive thank you to every person who’s ever shopped with us and continues to support local businesses. Without that kind of community support, Hive Happy Honey—and so many other small businesses—wouldn’t have the opportunity to grow, thrive, and live out the dream of entrepreneurship.

Website: https://Www.hivehappyhoney.com

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Image Credits
Brianna Philips