Fontana founders Katie and Eric sat down with Carly Kremer, the founder of Beekeeper’s Naturals, to chat about the magic of bees, our duty to protect them, and the small changes we can make to live cleaner, healthier lives. 

1. What initially drew you to bees? Tell us about your journey discovering beekeeping and starting Beekeeper’s Naturals.

For years, I struggled with an autoimmune condition. When I discovered bee propolis, it completely transformed my health. Propolis is a substance bees produce naturally to strengthen and protect their hive from bacteria and disease, and it can do the same in our bodies. After discovering propolis, I started beekeeping because I wanted to learn more about how it’s sourced. Outside of the beekeeping community, not many people knew about propolis. That’s where the drive to start Beekeeper’s Naturals came from. I want others to have the same experience I did when I started using propolis. I want people to feel stronger, better and healthier than they thought possible. 

Beekeeper’s Naturals now makes more than propolis, right?

Bees make so many amazing things. That’s probably how we get the term “busy as a bee.” When I started beekeeping, I discovered all the amazing benefits of not only propolis, but royal jelly, honey, pollen, and, of course, beeswax. Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of time developing products that help people get the most out of these amazing ingredients. 

2. Bees really are amazing creatures. What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about bees?

They are! And they often don’t get the credit they deserve. But if I had to choose one thing, it would be that people don’t realize how much protection they need. That’s why we’re very selective about the beekeepers we work with. We vet them to ensure they’re practicing sustainable beekeeping. The bees give us so much, but we need to take it responsibly and thoughtfully. I know you think the same way at Fontana.

3. Absolutely. In addition to being dedicated to sustainable sourcing, you’ve been an advocate for non-toxic living. Tell us more about that.

I’ve spent many years working with bees. They’re like a canary in a coal mine when it comes to environmental toxicity. Things that harm bee populations are often harmful for us as humans, too. Protecting the bees and protecting our own health goes hand-in-hand. That’s why we’re doing this candle collab with Fontana. We all agree that non-toxic solutions should be just as effective and joyful as the alternative.

4. And you started a Substack where you write about some of these issues, right?

It started with my friends asking me for advice about what was safe and what was not. I would reply with these long texts. I realized this might be useful to more people and turned those texts into Substack articles. Sometimes I’ll bring in experts to help me talk about topics I’m not qualified enough to talk about. I’m lucky enough to have all these amazing doctors and health experts. I want to share their expertise with more people than just me and my friends.

5. What’s one change you’d encourage people to make today in their lives?

Besides buying Fontana candles and Beekeeper’s Naturals products? I recently switched to hypochlorous acid cleaning spray for my home. I think it’s a game-changer for non-toxic cleaning.

Where to follow along:

Substack: https://carlykremer.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carly.kremer/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carly.kremer

About Carly

Carly Kremer is a mother, beekeeper, health advocate, and the founder of Beekeeper’s Naturals. Carly launched Beekeeper’s in 2016 with the mission to reinvent the medicine cabinet with clean, science-backed remedies from the hive and beyond. After struggling for years with an autoimmune condition, Carly discovered the power of clinically backed ingredients from the hive to support her health. Carly began working with doctors, scientists, and beekeepers to perfect formulas and clean sourcing practices that would adapt these ancient remedies for our modern lives. Today, one bottle of Beekeeper’s Immune Support Spray is sold every 15 seconds. In addition to her continued work with Beekeeper’s Naturals, Carly has become a passionate advocate for regulations to protect consumers and the environment from harmful chemicals.

Shop the Fontana x Beekeeper’s Naturals candle here