Sara Robins is an entrepreuner, and the co-owner of Kemptown Honey. She and her husband, Mike, opened their business in 2022, and it has been steadily growing ever since. Sara also manages Red Plume Design, which is her husband’s video game company. Their turn-based RPG, “Caves of Lore,” has sold over 6,000 copies and can be found on Steam, GoG, and the Android Play Store.
Sara has a background in gourmet food, marketing, and private labeling, which gave her the skills she needed to grow their honey business. But there were lessons that she needed to learn along the way, such as boldness and perseverance. Let’s get to know more about Sara and her entrepreneurial journey.
Extracurriculars
Sara volunteers as a communications manager at The Clarksburg Closet, a clothing bank in Montgomery County. The clothing the organization provides to the community helps meet a huge need. Some volunteers work every week sorting and packing bags of clothes for individuals and families. Anyone can request clothes. However, the Clarksburg Closet primarily works with social workers to provide clothes to those who are new to our country, attending our public schools, or are in the foster system.
Why we love Sara
We love having Sara as part of our Cowork Frederick family. She’s sweet, gentle, and kind. She’s always willing to help others however she can, and we appreciate her dedication to community outreach. It’s been a joy to see her gain confidence in her abilities. We’re so proud to see all that she’s accomplished over the last few months. Go, Sara!
Q&A with Sara
How did you start your business?
In 2022, we harvested 43 gallons of honey from our apiary. My husband, Mike, and I realized it was too much to just share with friends and family. So I told Mike, “Don’t worry, I’ll sell it all.” And I did in less than six months. And that’s how Kemptown Honey started.
Originally, I wanted to sell honey at farmer’s markets, but I realized that this market was overly saturated. So I looked at the stores and restaurants downtown and noticed no one was selling local Frederick honey. This gave me a market opportunity if I could just be brave enough to approach store owners and let them know about my honey. Sure enough, three stores downtown accepted my offer of a sample. Eighteen months later, and I’m still selling to them wholesale.
We currently are on the shelves at Voila Tea!, Frederick Basket, and Firestone’s Market on Market! Also, Dop Pizza uses our honey to top their amazing pizzas. Finally, we are in several locations near our apiary: 61 Vineyard and Berger Vegetable Farms.
The best part of our small business is working with other businesses who are excellent at what they do and love food as much as we do. I love to be associated with good pizza, wine, vegetables, and tea. I’ve worked in the food industry most of my life, and our business is me trying to connect back to it. It makes me feel part of the Frederick food community.
You recently won a pitch competition, can you tell us more about that?
I’d like to share how helpful Cowork Frederick was in developing my business plan into a pitch for my Hospitality, Culinary & Tourism Institute’s Food Business Entrepreneurship Program at FCC. I’m not a great public speaker, so I was really overwhelmed about presenting my business idea. Also, I was terrified of going before a panel of judges, but my coworkers encouraged me to practice my pitch at Cowork. My pitch wouldn’t have been as good without my coworkers’ encouragement and constructive criticism. There were so many people who were willing to listen and give me feedback. Someone even lent me their small crock pot so that I could serve a warm drink at the pitch. I was overwhelmed trying to make my business plan into a speech, but you guys helped me get there.
What inspires you and keeps you going?
When I gave up my career after I had kids years ago, I really didn’t want to. My husband had become very sick with Lyme disease. I became burned out trying to do it all at home and work as well. I quit my career, but I missed working. Now that my kids are teenagers, I have time to dedicate to a career again. I’m back to working in the food industry. Winning that pitch gave me the confidence that I have what it takes to succeed despite being out of the workforce for so long, and it also showed that the Frederick food community believes in me. What motivates me most is being connected to people who love the same things I do. It’s fun to geek out with people who love what you love.
Which of the guiding values defined by Cowork Frederick members speaks to you?
Boldness. Boldness is the value I most identify with right now. They say people fear public speaking more than they do death, and I’m one of them. Yet I just managed to do it and survived, and I’ll probably do it again. Also, it takes a lot of boldness to approach businesses and individuals and ask them to buy my products. You risk being rejected if your customers don’t feel the same way. But it’s the best way to connect to others and to sell. It takes boldness to know your product is worth paying for.
Any tips for starting your own business?
People often become experts in the things that interest them. If you can find a place where your talents, interests, and opportunities in the market overlap, you might find your career. Also, Frederick is full of resources for small business owners or people who want to start their own businesses, and people who are part of these organizations are really nice and helpful. City and county resources exist, like the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and The Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise.
Why Cowork Frederick?
Being a stay-at-home parent can be lonely and isolating, and Frederick Cowork is the opposite of that. I enjoy spending time with the people there. But we all have work to do, so there’s no pressure to be social if you do not feel like it. Also, I really love where Frederick Cowork is located. I’m within walking distance of my bank, my CPA, and three of the businesses I sell to.
For those who want to learn more, how can you be reached?
kemptownhoney.com
Email: info@kemptownhoney.com
Instagram: @kemptownhoney
Facebook: @kemptownhoney
About the author:
Bethany Good is the founder of Good Writing Co., which provides professional writing, developmental book editing, book coaching, and ghostwriting services. Her writing has appeared in Innovation and Tech Today, Columbia Inspired Magazine, and Frederick Lifestyle Magazine (among others). Bethany works with authors to help guide them through the book-writing process so that they can finally finish their memoirs or nonfiction books. Specializing in eldercare, dementia, and Alzheimer’s, she also works with home health businesses to provide content and resources for their patients and families. Bethany is also a dedicated wife and mother to two active kids. In her limited time, she enjoys gardening, long nature walks, reading, cooking, and snuggling with her Boston Terrier, Scout.