Erik Diemer loves being in a hive of activity, both socially and through his work.
Erik has been beekeeping for over 15 years, was the Collegiate Division Winner of the 2020 tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition and runs multiple businesses based around bees and bee education.
Erik entered the competition with his company, Mite Fight, that works to combat the death toll on bees in beekeeper’s apiaries by supplying the information and supplies needed to keep their colonies healthy.
Since launching his business during the pandemic, Erik has experienced issues with packaging and shipping as well as dealing with a new, cheaper apiary treatment that recently entered the American market.
Keeping his love for social interaction, beekeeping and education in mind, Erik turned to expanding one of his other companies, Blossom & Buzz Beekeeping, LLC.
Blossom & Buzz Beekeeping, LLC focuses on bee education through online courses and live steaming.
“I actually started teaching beekeeping courses on Zoom when the pandemic hit to socialize,” Erik said.
His bee education courses are also available on Teachable and he provides frequent live Question and Answers sessions for those who take the course.
Speaking of courses, one of the Business Plan Competition opportunities that Erik took advantage of was Tim Sohn’s Live Steaming Class, “Survive & Rise with Live Video.”
(Each year, Business Plan Competition Winners get access to a variety of in-kind sponsors ranging from marketing to financing and attorneys to incubator space.)
Erik enjoyed the class so much that he launched “BeekTalk,” a live stream of his own to discuss all things bees and beekeeping.
The education didn’t stop there. Erik also incorporated beekeeping into a tourism attraction in the Pocono Mountains. He is currently partnered with the Shawnee Inn to give beekeeping tours for guests staying at the resort.
“It’s so funny when someone didn’t tell their partner they were signing up for my tour,” laughed Erik. “And before they knew it, they’re suiting up in marshmallow man beekeeping suits and getting personal with these insects.”
Erik hopes to expand his tours to other hotels and resorts in the future as well.
To learn more about beekeeping, listen to Erik’s latest episode of tecBRIDGE Radio, check out his Live Stream, BeekTalk, or attend his Beekeeping Tour.