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When you taste a spoonful of honey from T Creek Bees, you're not just enjoying a sweet treat—you're experiencing the result of years of passion, perseverance and purpose. For Tim Urich, founder of T Creek Bees & Honey LLC, beekeeping began as a childhood tradition and grew into a thriving local business powered by hard work, strong community partnerships and the steady hum of thousands of bees.

Rooted in Family Tradition

Tim’s journey started in the 1980s, watching his father tend to bees on their family property.

“My brothers and I helped harvest honey each summer,” he recalls. “As a Scout, my dad even helped me and others earn the Beekeeping Merit Badge.”

In 2018, Tim picked up the smoker and hive tool himself, starting with just six colonies. His hobby quickly became a passion—and then, a business.

By late 2020, Tim had launched T Creek Bees & Honey, became a licensed food processor and secured his first wholesale accounts with local favorites like Leonard Meat and Milk & Honey Coffee Co.

Growing a Hive-Focused Business

By the end of the 2025 season, Tim expects to manage 350 hives, placing T Creek Bees & Honey in what the industry calls the “sideliner” category—just shy of full commercial scale.

“A strong hive here in Shawnee County can produce between 90 and 120 pounds of honey per season,” Tim shares.

That means T Creek Bees can produce anywhere from 31,500 - 42,000 pounds a season. Tim says weather is a key factor in the final amount. His goal for 2025 is to produce between 30,000-35,000 pounds of honey, which he will finish collecting in July.

What’s even more impressive? Tim balances his growing collection of beehives with a full-time role as principal of Shawnee Heights Middle School. Each May, Tim gives a presentation to the 7^th grade science classes about bees, beekeeping, ecology and running a sideliner beekeeping business. With the help of student workers and a deep commitment to both education and agriculture, Tim’s been able to expand his operation while investing in his community.

Challenges, Milestones and Meaningful Moments

Every entrepreneur faces challenges, and Tim is no exception.

“Managing a growing business while working full-time can feel overwhelming and isolating,” he says. “But I remind myself we’re producing something real—something people truly value.”

That dedication has led to memorable milestones: landing his first wholesale account; reaching hive counts of 100, 200, and 300; and recently breaking ground on a 40x60 commercial shop - a big step forward for processing, bottling, and future expansion.

Financing Growth with a Local Partner

Like many entrepreneurs, Tim faced the financial hurdles of scaling an operation from scratch. That’s where Envista Federal Credit Union came in.

“I needed reliable access to credit for capital investments, payroll and cash flow—especially when retailers are slow to pay,” Tim explains. “Erik at Envista made it easy to understand the process and gave me the confidence to move forward.”

With a business line of credit from Envista, Tim is able to make bulk purchases, invest in infrastructure and keep pricing competitive.

“For example, I save 35% by buying honey bottles factory-direct, but the minimum order is massive. Envista’s support helps make that possible,” he explains.

Looking Ahead: Expansion and Innovation

The future of T Creek Bees & Honey is buzzing with opportunity. The new facility provides space to operate a commercial honey processing facility and allows for investment in more efficient equipment, including larger extractors and bottling tanks. It also sets the stage for experimenting with value-added products like honey straws, lotions, soaps and beeswax goods.

And while Tim is maxed out at 400 colonies due to his full-time career, he sees the potential for future growth.

“Long-term, I envision shifting to a cooperative model - bringing other beekeepers under the T Creek label to supply bulk honey,” he explains. “That way, we maintain our quality and grow together.”

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Tim regularly shares his wisdom with the next generation of business owners, including students at Shawnee Heights High School. His top ten pieces of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs include:

1. Start Small, Start Now – Don’t wait for the “perfect” idea. Start with what you have and refine it as you go.
2. Solve a Real Problem – The more urgent or annoying the problem, the more people will pay for your solution.
3. Know Your Why - Your purpose will carry you through the hard parts.
4. Listen More Than You Talk - Customer feedback is gold. Ask, listen, adjust.
5. Learn Basic Finances - Know your numbers. It’ll save you time, stress and money.
6. Build a Network - Your relationships will open doors.
7. Fail Fast, Learn Faster - Mistakes are data. Don’t let them stop you.
8. Stay Humble & Hungry – Always keep learning.
9. Don’t Do It All - Delegate so you can focus on what you do best.
10. Protect Your Time & Energy - Burnout ends more businesses than failure does.

He adds, “A lot of young people overlook the trades, but trades are often the most direct path to entrepreneurship.”

A Business Built on Purpose

Looking back, Tim is most proud of the relationships he’s built with fellow local business owners.

“I’ve felt very supported and encouraged by other business owners and have received excellent advice,” he says. “I’ve been proud to provide my business partners with an excellent food product and excellent service in return.”

At its core, T Creek Bees is about more than honey. It’s about sustainability, community and creating something meaningful—one hive at a time.

At Envista, we believe in empowering local entrepreneurs like Tim to do more. Whether you’re launching your first business or expanding a growing one, our commercial services team is here to support your vision. Because at Envista, Your Story is Our Passion.

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