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

Tiffany, appreciate you joining us today. Along with taking care of clients, taking care of our team is one of the most important things we can do as leaders. Looking back on your journey, did you have a boss that was really great? Maybe you can tell us about that boss and what made them a wonderful person to work for?

The most exemplary leader I have worked under was Rochelle Johnson, President of the Taylor County Expo Center. While serving under Ms. Johnson in a managerial capacity, I once mistakenly provided incorrect information to a particularly challenging client. Rather than reprimanding me publicly, Ms. Johnson addressed the issue privately, offering constructive guidance and support. Her approach was focused on coaching and development rather than assigning blame—demonstrating a profound commitment to leadership with integrity and respect. This experience was a defining moment early in my career, illustrating how effective women leaders manage conflict with grace and professionalism. Thanks to her mentorship, I was able to resolve the situation with the client while preserving my professionalism and confidence. She earned my lifetime loyalty.

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?

I’m Tiffany Harelik, a medicinal beekeeper based in scenic West Texas, with colonies spread across the Big Country—from Buffalo Gap to Cross Plains. My journey into beekeeping began as a blend of curiosity and a deep respect for nature’s intricate systems. Over time, what started as a personal hobby evolved into a passionate craft focused on sustainable practices, education, and community engagement. I hold an MA in Health Psychology, which informs my holistic approach to beekeeping and wellness, blending science, intuition, and respect for the environment and our foodways.

Through Hacienda Harelik Honey, I provide a range of products and services including raw, locally sourced honey, lavender peppermint beeswax lip balm, and educational workshops—both online and in person. I lead retreats and classes designed to teach others how to care for bees responsibly and sustainably, emphasizing the vital role bees play in our ecosystem and food supply. My offerings go beyond just honey; they’re about connecting people to the land, promoting environmental stewardship, and fostering a greater understanding of the medicinal and nutritional benefits of honey and other hive products.

What truly sets me apart is my commitment to authenticity and education rooted in local context. Being a Wylie graduate and a longtime resident of Abilene, I bring a genuine connection to West Texas, understanding its unique climate, flora, and agricultural heritage. I’m proud to nurture bees in this environment, where they contribute to the health of local farms and gardens. My work supports both new and experienced beekeepers, helping them navigate challenges specific to this region’s environment.

I’m most proud of building a community around beekeeping that honors tradition while embracing innovation and sustainability. Whether it’s helping someone harvest their first frame of honey or hosting a retreat that inspires deeper appreciation for these incredible pollinators, my goal is to make beekeeping accessible and rewarding for all.

For potential clients and followers, I want you to know that my brand stands for quality, care, and education. Whether you’re here for delicious honey, handcrafted beeswax products, or to learn how to keep bees thriving in West Texas, I’m here to support your journey with expertise and passion. Together, we can cultivate not only healthy hives but also healthier communities and ecosystems.

My area of study focuses on the vital connection between soil health and honey bee wellness. I have successfully passed the advanced certification exams of the Texas Master Beekeeper program and am currently pursuing the Master level. Alongside my colleague Nikki Felcman of Saint Abigail Honey, I co-founded the West Texas Beekeepers Guild to support and grow the local beekeeping community. Additionally, I co-created the Honey Show at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo with Texas Honey Judge Monica Siwiak, in partnership with Rochelle Johnson, President of the Taylor County Expo Center. This fall, I am excited to be hosting a West Texas Bee School and apprenticeship program to further education and skill development for beekeepers in the region.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

What began as a hobby in 2020 soon blossomed into a full-time profession that has shaped both my life and my community. I first started beekeeping out of curiosity and a love for gardening and growing our own food. At the time, it was just a side hustle, a peaceful escape from the daily grind.

But as I immersed myself in the craft, I quickly realized how much more there was to it. I became fascinated by the intricate relationship between bees and their environment, especially the role of soil health in their wellbeing. What started as weekend tending to hives turned into evenings spent studying, passing advanced certification exams, and collaborating with other passionate beekeepers.

At some point I started connecting interpersonal dots. There is a connection between people in deep grief and beekeeping, as well as people in deep healing crises and an interest in beekeeping. The bees “call” certain people. And they inform our actions, just like they inform the pollination systems.

The more I learned, the more I wanted to share the knowledge of medicinal beekeeping. In 2025 I was happy with my 6-8 colonies that were thriving in a treatment free environment at our ranch. Then a friend messaged me to see if I knew anyone who would want to buy them out of their bee business. I knew immediately that this text was for me. I created a business plan and proposed a loan to an investor who had leant to me in previous successful endeavors. They declined, and I figured it just wasn’t meant to be. Then, a random phone call with an old friend generated new interest in investing in my company. So Hacienda Harelik Honey was born.

My great grandfather was an immigrant to Texas, and I think of his tenacity often. He started a fruit cart that turned into a general store and expanded to five stores in multiple counties (just like a bee hive). When I started my publishing company in 2015, he was a great inspiration for the cookbooks I wrote and published for others. There is something in my family blood about serving up the American Dream and sharing that love of community through different counties. My honey labels are a nod to our heritage.

I eventually co-founded the West Texas Beekeepers Guild to build a stronger local community of beekeepers in West Texas. Soon, I was co-creating events like the Honey Show at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo, teaching new beekeepers how to make honey, and connecting honey producers with the public and celebrating the craftsmanship behind every jar.

Before I knew it, beekeeping was no longer just a hobby or side hustle—it had become my full-time calling. I will soon be hosting bee schools and apprenticeship programs to pass on what I have learned and help others build their own successful practices. The transition wasn’t easy, but it was deeply rewarding and a whole lot of fun. What started as a simple curiosity has grown into a career dedicated to sustainability, education, and nurturing the health of both bees and people in West Texas.

One thing that is difficult about getting started with beekeeping is that for every 12 beekeepers, there are 13 opinions. So I started a podcast targeted at organizing beekeepers by growing region. Beekeeping is hyper local – so identifying the good beekeepers who know how to keep bees in your growing region felt like a really great way to continue to teach the traditions of beekeeping by area. What works in North Texas does not work in West Texas, for example.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

I’ve held managerial roles at some of the biggest music festivals—Lollapalooza in Chicago, Austin City Limits in Austin, Viva Big Bend in far West Texas—and even worked with Google on large-scale events promoting the launch of Google Fiber. So when I first started beekeeping and was invited to sell honey at the local farmer’s market, my ego took a hit. Going from managing major events to selling jars of honey for $10, $20, $30 felt like a step backward. It was humbling.

But as I prayed about it, I kept hearing a clear message: “Don’t worry about the profit margin. Your job is not provision. Your job is not the spreadsheet. I’m calling you to talk to people about bees. Will you be obedient and listen?” So I did. I showed up. And that very first farmer’s market was a success. More than that, doors opened that I never expected—partnerships with the West Texas Fair and Rodeo, launching the only honey show in our region that attracts over 100,000 people.

This isn’t a story about marketing tactics or sales strategies—this is a story about obedience and trust in God’s plan and provision.

There are plenty of good marketing tactics out there, and I always advise clients to “fish where the fish are swimming” — focus your efforts where your audience already is, and don’t force something that is unsustainable. I could share other stories too—like collaborating with colleagues to create calendars and classes, using smart strategies like coupon codes and cross-promotion.

But no matter the tools or tactics, my favorite and most effective “strategy” has been trusting God. His provision has consistently outpaced any hustle or marketing move I could make on my own. When you’re obedient to the calling, the Creator becomes your greatest marketer and provider.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.haciendaharelik.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haciendaharelikhoney
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/920774786407908
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HaciendaHarelik

Image Credits

I hope to have updated professional shots of me in the beeyard in the next week and would love the opportunity to update images. These, are simply ones we took at home – no credit needed.