We were lucky to catch up with Yvonna Kopacz-wright recently and have shared our conversation below.
Yvonna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The idea for Lomar Farms ( named after our daughters Lola and Marley) sparked when my husband Brett and I moved our family from New York City to a farm in Palisades, New York. We began beekeeping and I found myself drawn to the world of bees. Working with the bees is pure magic. Honeybees are incredible creatures that produce a range of valuable materials , each with unique benefits: from honey to beeswax, propolis and more. They are producers of a diverse array of valuable natural substances.
Lomar Farms grew from this desire to reconnect with nature and honor the incredible work of bees. We saw a chance to offer sustainable products that told a story – our journey from city dwellers to beekeepers.
What excited me most was the holistic approach we could take, not just making candles, but educating people about the bees’ importance to our ecosystem. The growing trend towards non toxic products and increased awareness of bee conservation gave us confidence in our business model.
Ultimately, Lomar Farms represents our passion for creating eco-friendly products, our commitment to sustainability, and our personal transformation from urban professionals to stewards of the land and its pollinators.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Lomar Farms specializes in artisanal beeswax candles, honey , spices, and more. Our mission goes beyond just selling products – we’re dedicated to educating people about the crucial role of bees in our ecosystem and promoting sustainable living.
We provide a natural, clean-burning alternative to paraffin candles, offer sustainably sourced, products for those seeking a more natural lifestyle, and create a connection to nature for urban dwellers through our products and story.
I’m most proud of the positive impact we’re making on our local ecosystem. By maintaining healthy bee colonies, we’re supporting biodiversity in our area. We also use our Farm to create events to support our local library.
What I want potential clients to know is that when they buy from Lomar Farms, they’re not just getting a product – they’re participating in a movement towards more mindful, sustainable living. They’re supporting a small, family-run business that cares deeply about the environment and the quality of our offerings.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The lesson I had to unlearn was the pursuit of perfection in every aspect of my business. I’m recovering perfectionist and when we started Lomar Farms, I brought that same mindset with me, believing every product, every label, every customer interaction had to be absolutely perfect.
I spent countless hours agonizing over the tiniest details – the exact shade of our labels, the precise wording of our product descriptions, even the arrangement of our market stall. This perfectionism led to delays in product launches, missed opportunities, and, frankly, a lot of unnecessary stress.
I realized that in pursuing perfection, I was losing sight of what really mattered – connecting with our customers and sharing our passion for bees and their products. I was also stifling our ability to innovate and adapt quickly in a dynamic small business environment.
From that point on, I made a conscious effort to not let perfectionism paralyze me. We started launching products when they were good enough, not perfect. We became more transparent about our learning process, sharing both successes and failures with our customers. This approach not only reduced stress but also fostered a stronger connection with our community.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
At Lomar Farms, we prioritize strong team management and high morale through several key strategies. I lead by example, embodying our values of sustainability and quality. Clear, transparent communication is essential, as is empowering team members by delegating responsibilities and trusting their decisions.
We recognize and celebrate achievements, both big and small. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial so as much as we can we allow our team members to create their own work schedule.
We regularly remind the team of our mission and the positive impact we’re making, which boosts morale and reinforces our shared purpose.
By focusing on these aspects, we’ve created a positive work environment where team members feel valued and engaged, leading to high morale and a committed, passionate workforce.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.lomarfarms.com
- Instagram: @lomarfarms
Image Credits
Jamie Shields