Tarleton State student Cade Mathis busy with buzzing bee business

BY HELENA KNUTSON/Multimedia Journalist 

Cade Mathis is saving the bees one hive at a time. Mathis, an agriculture business major, started beekeeping in 2017 after his dad purchased two hives. 

Since then, he has turned those two hives into nearly 28 hives and has created a business that has been able to financially support him through college.

“I was like, you know, this is kind of cool. Let me try to make business out of it,” Mathis said.

He started small, slowly growing his business into what it is today.

“My mom is a secretary, so I was like, I'd give it to the teachers as a Christmas gift. I got a lot of positive feedback and I was like, you know, I might make this a real big thing,” Mathis said. 

His business, Millheim Honey Company, launched in 2018 and has offered several different products and services, such as removals, beekeeping lessons and different varieties of honey, sticks and soaps.

Mathis learned how to keep bees by watching videos and slowly developing his own techniques. Some of these techniques have been geared to be safer for the bees.

“So with a lot of the older generation beekeepers, they rely solely on what is called a bee vacuum; I’m very innovative when it comes to stuff like that, and really my most important tool for a bee removal is a red solo cup, “ Mathis said.

His techniques make sure the bees say safe.

“I spray them with sugar water and scoop them up. The sugar water does not hurt, but it temporarily disables them from flying because their wings are wet,” he said.

The company has received a lot of business over the years, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t come with its ups and downs.

“I actually really liked it a lot, but I got a lot of criticism because of my age, and it's like, “Oh, you don’t know what you are doing,” Mathis said.

Mathis's business is not the only thing that occupies his time. In addition to being a full-time student, he is also involved in several different activities such as congressman in student government, Men to Freedom and many others.

Millheim company has several customers. His reviews on his website rave about Mathis and his bees, one of these is customer Steven Graham.

 “I've been a loyal customer for years, and Millheim Honey Company never fails to deliver exceptional honey. The consistency in quality and the variety of flavors keep me coming back for more. Cheers to the sweet life," Graham said.

Another customer, Jessica Daniels, uses Millheims products as a staple for her skin care.

“The Lavender Sugar Scrub is a luxurious addition to my skincare routine. It leaves my skin feeling silky smooth, and the calming scent of lavender turns every shower into a spa-like experience. It's become a self-care essential for me,” said Daniels said.

Millheim company is growing and expanding, and Mathis is hoping to bring some new merchandise to his business if interested in learning more about Millheim Honey Company, you can visit https://millheimhoneycompany.com/