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Felix Colon

From Martha's Vineyard, Felix is part of the third-generation family behind Island Bee Company, an apiary producing raw honey and Hive 5 moisturizer. He aims to grow the business while maintaining its artisanal roots.

1 Episode

Felix Colon's Bio

Felix Colon is a third-generation member of the family behind Island Bee Company, a Martha's Vineyard apiary producing raw honey and the Hive 5 moisturizer line. Founded in 1999 on the island, the company built its identity on local sourcing, small-batch production, and community roots. The Colon family raises bees in traditional pine boxes and labels each jar with the town where the honey was harvested — Chilmark, West Tisbury, or Edgartown — so customers always know exactly where their product comes from.

Growing up immersed in the business, Felix learned beekeeping and production alongside family members, absorbing hive management, seasonal harvest cycles, and small-scale apiary work. When he stepped into a larger leadership role, the challenge was to grow the brand without losing the artisanal identity that had made it a Vineyard fixture for over two decades.

Expanding into skincare was the most significant shift in company history. The Hive 5 moisturizer line leveraged island honey and beeswax to create products that set Island Bee apart from generic brands, but required investment in formulation and retail placement. Felix has emphasized that the skincare line remains rooted in the same local apiary practices that define the honey business.

Today, Felix continues expanding Island Bee Company from Martha's Vineyard, balancing broader retail ambitions with a commitment to locality and craft.

Career Timeline

  • 1999Island Bee Company founded

    Parents founded the apiary on Martha's Vineyard, focusing on raw honey and local beekeeping.

  • 2015Launched Hive 5 moisturizer

    Introduced the patented Hive 5 skincare product, a five-ingredient moisturizer that became the company's best seller.

  • 2022Expanded to online sales

    Began selling products online for the first time, reaching customers beyond Martha's Vineyard farmers markets and local stores.

  • 2026Featured on HIBT Advice Line

    Called into the How I Built This Advice Line to discuss scaling the family apiary business with host Guy Raz and Ronnen Harary.

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