2 0 1 9  was a busy first year for Millbee. In the 9 months since we launched we packed in a lot! We started with just one product - our beeswax food wraps variety pack which was only available on our website. Soon after, we introduced our bread wrap and lunch pack.

At Millbee, we are focused on sustainability and in particular cutting down on single-use plastic but the amazing bees are also central to what we do. So we launched our raw Irish honey as well as beeswax candles and gift sets for Christmas. Millbee Studio also joined the Irish Pollinator Plan. To learn what you can do to help our bees there's lots of great resources on the Irish Pollinator Plan website. 

Behind the scenes, it's mostly me working on Millbee but I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband, family and friends who have supported me. I am also collaborating with some very talented people who have worked with me on everything from product development to branding and content. It is a real team effort! Also, behind the scenes are my two young children - Jane and Matthew. They are both in primary school now which makes it easier to start this new venture but there's lots of juggling as you'd imagine. 

Markets and Gifted Christmas Fair 

I set up my stall in a good few food markets and events around Ireland as I believe it is so important to get out and speak to customers and gain feedback. Markets are great fun (once it doesn't rain if outdoors!). Aside from meeting new and old customers, I also love to meet the other traders and learn about their products. We ended the year at Gifted in the RDS which was busier than I imagined. We sold out each day and had to work very late into the night to restock. The feedback was amazing and I do hope we will be there next year and meet all our wonderful customers again. 

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Millbee at Tullamore Food Fayre 

Awards

One of the highlights of 2019 was to be shortlisted for the National Startup Awards and receive silver in both categories. These prestigious awards included a high standard of Irish startup's. For Millbee, to be recognised at such an early stage of our business is a big boost. We were also delighted to be shortlisted in the Irish made awards from Irish Country Magazine. It was a good first year for awards and recognition! 

Millbee win silver in the Social/Sustainable Startup Category - Irish Start Up Awards 

Overall 2019 was a great start for Millbee. We are delighted to now have our beeswax food wraps stocked in a number of retailers around Ireland. Our wraps are available in a variety of shops from independent food stores and cafes to gift shops, eco shops and garden centers.

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In the coming year, we plan to grow our list of stockists. We will have our stall in a number of markets around Ireland and we will also be  focused on our growing online community. 2020 is going to be a significant year for change as we try to tackle climate change. We believe that sustainability and cutting down on single-use plastic is a journey for many people as well as for businesses. We will do our best to support you and we also hope to inspire people to start making changes today. On a final note, I would like to thank all of you who have supported Millbee to date. It is much appreciated! 

January 14, 2020 — Jennifer Doyle

Comments

Pamela Smullen said:

I bought your food wraps in Ballina after hearing about the product from Garret M. Delighted with them. .no more cling film etc!

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