Humble Bee is all wrapped up for Christmas
https://humblebeewraps.ie/
“I think there is a strong understanding that supporting a local business helps the local economy directly and indirectly.” Lynn Cahill, founder and queen bee of Humble Bee Food Wraps explains how choosing local is a relative term, “I love to support local businesses and producers, and I find that many other people are the same. Since the pandemic though, I think the word 'local' has expanded to the whole of Ireland. My customers are certainly from all over the country, including Northern Ireland.”
Using quality natural ingredients, Lynn makes each reusable beeswax wrap by hand in small batches. From the cutting of the cotton to the waxing, folding and packaging; it’s all done in Waterford. “Choosing to use beeswax wraps to store food is such a simple action, yet if everyone did it, imagine the difference it could make over time. Beeswax wraps are not only good for the environment; they are actually better for food storage.”
Local Enterprise Office Waterford launched its ‘Shop Waterford, Support Local’ campaign in early November to encourage Waterford shoppers to support local business in the run up to Christmas. It aims to put the spotlight on the vast array of retail and gift options within our county. From artists to designers, food producers to craft makers and everything in between that makes Waterford the first and last stop for Christmas shopping.
The past two years has changed how we do many things. According to the EY Future Consumer Index published last year, the global consumer is changing rapidly, with 45 per cent of people saying that how they shop will change permanently as a result of the pandemic, with 38 per cent saying it will permanently change what they buy.
Lynn has sought assistance from the Local Enterprise Office as she developed and expanded her business “I approached the LEO seeking support to develop a website on which to showcase and sell my beeswax wraps. They were so helpful and made the application process very easy. I was successful in applying for a Trading Online Voucher which enabled me to work with the wonderful design company Marla. They designed a beautiful website, helped me with photography and set up an online shop.”
While Humble Bee is a child of the pandemic Lynn is looking forward to 2022, “My business was born during the pandemic! I am a self-employed project manager and content writer, and a lot of my work dried up during the pandemic, so I decided it was time to start doing something new. I really enjoy making the beeswax wraps, but more importantly, I feel I'm doing my bit for the environment in giving people a good alternative to using clingfilm and other single use plastics.”
“Next year I'm hoping that the outdoor festival markets return in a big way as I want to get out there and start selling my beeswax wraps in person. It helps when I can show people how to use them - it takes the mystery out of them.”
The ‘Shop Waterford, Support Local’ campaign, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, aims to raise awareness of the benefit of spending in your local area. This campaign seeks to strengthen that sentiment and to educate consumers on the domino effect that local spending has throughout their community.
The ‘Shop Waterford, Support Local’ campaign follows the national ‘Look for Local’ communications campaign to encourage the public and businesses to seek out products and services from businesses in their local area. The campaign was led by the Local Enterprise Offices and supported by Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Enterprise Ireland, and the Local Authorities.