Pictured above: Taylor and Dakota Votaw
A Narrative of Passion, Learning, and Faith
Dakota Votaw’s journey into the world of beekeeping and the establishment of Flying V Apiaries is a narrative woven with threads of passion, learning, and faith. At the TREK event on August 6, Dakota took the stage to share the compelling story of how he transformed his fledgling interest in beekeeping into a thriving business venture. His tale is one of determination, learning from the best, and seizing opportunities with both hands, a journey that took him from being a college graduate with a vision to a successful beekeeper with a mission.
Foundations
Dakota’s farm background laid the foundation for his beekeeping journey. An invitation from a church friend, asking him to work in his apiary, sparked his interest. Despite initial doubts, Dakota delved in. That experience ignited a passion for bees. “I knew this was my path,” he declared. Beekeeping had captured his heart.
He bought himself a high school beekeeping course and placed some colonies of bees in northern Minnesota near Williams. Despite the initial isolation, Dakota found joy in beekeeping and sought to learn more from established beekeepers.
Learning From Others
His next learning opportunity came when he worked for Bruce Wilmer, a successful beekeeper with a phenomenal business and family life. Dakota worked for Bruce for three years, absorbing as much knowledge as he could. “Learning from others is a shortcut to success,” Dakota said. “I’ve been fortunate to be around business owners who have shared their stories, and I’ve taken their lessons to heart to navigate my own path.”
During this time, he was inspired by Bruce’s success and the support he received from his wife, Stacy. Dakota saw firsthand how a strong marriage could propel a business to new heights.
An Entrepreneurial Couple
After gaining valuable experience, Dakota was ready to branch out on his own. He established Flying V Apiaries and began to build his own operation. He and his wife, Taylor, who also runs a successful travel planning business, share a similar risk tolerance, which has played a crucial role in the success of their entrepreneurial ventures. Dakota emphasized the importance of understanding each other’s business and supporting each other’s dreams.
Apiary Products
Flying V Apiaries focuses on the commercial side of beekeeping, with plans to eventually expand into retail. Dakota highlighted the main products produced by honeybees, such as honey and beeswax, and discussed the challenges of maintaining the nutritional value of honey during processing. He also shared insights into the business of beekeeping, including the risks posed by pests like skunks and bears, as well as the impact of pesticides on bee populations.
Motivation
Dakota’s motivation comes from his faith and the encouragement he receives from engaging with others. He believes in learning from the mistakes of others to avoid falling into the same pitfalls. He also stressed the importance of collaboration among beekeepers, advocating for sharing knowledge rather than keeping secrets. He expressed his support for local beekeepers and their products, emphasizing the superiority of honey over sugar and the need to support local agriculture.
Beekeeping Logistics
Finally, Dakota discussed the logistics of beekeeping, explaining that he takes his bees to California during the winter months. While there they perform a valuable service by pollinating California crops. At the same time, the mortality rate for his bees is much lower than that of bees overwintered in garages in Minnesota.
Dakota Votaw’s story is one of determination, learning, and the pursuit of a passion. Flying V Apiaries is a testament to his hard work and the support he has received, highlighting the importance of collaboration, risk-taking, and a strong support system in the entrepreneurial journey.
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More About TREK
TREK is a monthly gathering of small business owners and support organizations. It is a place to learn, share ideas, and talk about the local economy. There are no membership fees or attendance requirements. For more information, visit the TREK page.
