Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Theresa Crichlow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Theresa, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Yes, BeeFavored proudly serves an underserved community in Harlem, New York—a neighborhood rich in culture and resilience but often overlooked when it comes to environmental education, food equity, and access to entrepreneurial resources.

One story that captures the heart of our mission involves a group of young students who participated in our BeeFavored HarvestED program. Many of these children had never seen a live beehive, much less understood the critical role bees play in our food system. Coming from communities where access to green spaces, fresh food, and STEM-based learning is limited, these kids were in awe as they learned how pollination works and even got to plant their own pollinator-friendly flowers. One young girl said, “I didn’t know bees helped us eat—I thought they just stung people.” That moment made it clear: education creates empowerment.

Harlem, like many urban areas, faces food insecurity, limited access to sustainable living knowledge, and underrepresentation in environmental and agricultural sectors. Through rooftop beekeeping, STEM-based workshops, and community engagement, BeeFavored not only brings awareness but actively creates access to healthier food, economic opportunities, and sustainable practices. As we are growing, it’s our desire to hire locally, collaborate–even more–with Black- and Brown-owned businesses, and give families tools to grow their own food and understand environmental stewardship.

BeeFavored exists not just to sell honey—but to reclaim spaces for healing, growth, and education in communities that have long been neglected. Our work is rooted in the belief that when you nurture bees and people, you cultivate thriving ecosystems—both environmentally and economically.

We are about healing the land, educating minds, and sweetening lives—one jar of honey, one rooftop hive, one empowered family at a time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Theresa Crichlow, and I’m the proud founder and visionary behind BeeFavored, an urban beekeeping and honey-based wellness brand based in Harlem, New York. I am a minister, educator, community advocate, and serial entrepreneur who believes deeply in living a life of purpose, passion, and service. BeeFavored was born from my love for nature, a passion for community empowerment, and a divine calling to heal—physically, spiritually, and environmentally.

How I Got Started
My journey into this industry started with a rooftop, a garden, and a prayer. I was fascinated by bees—not just as honey producers, but as essential pollinators and powerful symbols of community. I quickly realized how urban environments like Harlem were missing out on the health, educational, and economic benefits that beekeeping and sustainable agriculture can offer. I saw an opportunity not just to build a business, but to create a movement rooted in healing, education, and economic empowerment.

What We Do
At BeeFavored, we create artisan honey blends infused with organic fruits and herbs, small-batch sauces and teas, and natural honey-based pet products. We also provide community programs, STEM kits for kids, and beekeeping education through our initiative BeeFavored HarvestED. Our rooftop gardens and pollinator spaces transform overlooked urban rooftops into thriving ecosystems.

But BeeFavored is more than just products—it’s a mission-driven brand that educates communities about sustainability, food justice, and self-reliance. We collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and local businesses to bring environmental education and access to wellness products directly to the people who need it most.

Problems We Solve
We address:

Food insecurity by teaching families to grow food and understand pollination.

Lack of environmental education in underserved communities.

Barriers to entrepreneurship by mentoring Black and Brown women.

Health disparities through natural, locally sourced wellness products.

What Sets Us Apart
BeeFavored stands out because we merge social impact with economic growth. We’re rooted in faith, family, and community, and we’ve designed a business model that reinvests in people, not just profit margins. Unlike typical honey brands, our products are infused with meaning, science, and love. Every jar tells a story—from rooftop hive to Harlem kitchen.

We also provide personable, hands-on service and believe in collaboration over competition. Whether you meet us at a local pop-up, community garden, or festival, you’ll feel our passion for connection, education, and excellence.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of watching young children in Harlem—many of whom have never seen a live bee—light up as they learn about pollination, sustainability, and plant life. I’m proud of winning the $15,000 Skip grant, being part of the HoneyComb Credit investment platform, and launching BeeFavored Summer Fest. I’m also deeply proud of our partnerships with Harlem Grown, NYWIB, and other organizations that uplift our people.

What I Want You to Know
I want people to know that BeeFavored isn’t just a brand—it’s a healing movement. We’re building more than a business—we’re building community resilience, youth empowerment, and a greener future one bee, one flower, one family at a time.

If you support sustainability, women-led business, environmental justice, or just love great honey—we welcome you to join our hive, as we are harvesting honey on the rooftop of Harlem, NY.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

BeeFavored began in the most humble way—with a handful of honey straws and creativity in my kitchen. I didn’t have much to work with, but I had passion, faith, and a desire to create something meaningful. I started by experimenting with what I had at home—infusing honey with ingredients like apple pie spices, mango and peach slices, and even cocoa. That’s how my first blends—Apple Pie Honey, Mango Peach Honey, and Cocoa Honey—were born.

I packaged them in simple honey straws and gave them to friends, family, and neighbors. The feedback was incredible. People loved the unique flavors and began asking for more. That small act of giving became the foundation of BeeFavored.

At the time, I didn’t even own my own hives. But I kept going—working with what I had, staying consistent, and reinvesting every dollar I earned. Eventually, I saved enough to get my first hives and truly begin the journey of urban beekeeping.

Starting with nothing but what was in my pantry, a few straws, and a whole lot of determination taught me that resilience isn’t about having it all—it’s about starting with what you have and never giving up.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

At BeeFavored, we sell our products on a variety of platforms, including our website, Etsy, Foraged, Groupon, Faire, and more. Each platform plays a unique role in helping us connect with different customer segments and expand our reach, while ensuring that every customer experiences the red carpet treatment we pride ourselves on.

Our website remains the heart of our business, where we can offer a personalized shopping experience. It’s not just about selling honey—it’s about building relationships. We love creating a space where our customers can explore our full range of honey-infused products, from artisan honey blends to sauces and teas, and get a deeper look into our mission of sustainability, community empowerment, and environmental education. On our site, we don’t just see customers—we see friends, and we work hard to make sure that everyone who shops with us feels welcomed, appreciated, and part of the BeeFavored family.

Etsy has been a great platform for our handmade and artisanal goods. It helps us connect with a community that values unique, handcrafted products, and Etsy’s built-in credibility gives us an advantage in attracting new buyers. While the competition can be fierce and the listing fees can add up, we make sure to offer the same exceptional customer care and red carpet experience to our Etsy customers as we do on our own site, transforming them into loyal customers—and sometimes, friends.

On Foraged, we connect with a niche market of foodies and sustainability enthusiasts who appreciate small-batch, ethically made products. This platform aligns perfectly with our values of local sourcing and sustainable practices. We love engaging with this community and offering the same personalized attention that has earned us repeat customers who truly become a part of our BeeFavored family.

Groupon has allowed us to offer special deals and promotions to attract new customers. While it’s fantastic for visibility, we carefully manage promotions to ensure we provide value without compromising on the quality of the red carpet service we’re known for. The ultimate goal is to turn those new customers into loyal fans—and hopefully friends.

Lastly, Faire gives us a fantastic wholesale opportunity, helping us get our products into local retail shops. This has allowed us to extend our reach and serve new customers while maintaining the personal touch that sets us apart. Many of these customers eventually become part of our growing community, where relationships go beyond just a transaction.

Each platform has its pros and cons, but they all contribute to our growth, helping us share our brand with a wider audience while continuing to provide every customer with the red carpet treatment that makes BeeFavored unique. Whether they’re shopping on our site, Etsy, or through one of our other platforms, we’re committed to making every customer feel like a friend—valued, appreciated, and truly cared for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bee-favored.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beefavorednyc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeeFavored/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beefavored-the-honey-parlor-51681930b/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@beefavored

Image Credits

Theresa M. Crichlow