The benefits of beekeeping are endless. Everything from the honey we can collect, the surrounding crops that get pollinated, to the lifestyle that you adopt and the relationship you build with your colonies; it all changes your life in the best ways.
Honeybee keeping is a very profitable hobby that is popular primarily in states within Middle America to the Midwest. Honey is not only a sweet, syrupy alternative to sugar, but it even provides many natural properties that can benefit human health1. It is even said to act as a holistic form of therapy for some. This week, we are traveling to Northeast Ohio to speak with Cyndi Konopka. Cyndi is an Ohio native who spends many of her days engaging with fellow artists through the Geauga Arts Council, curating her garden with a combination of florals and art, and maintaining her community of beehives. Cyndi shares with us her journey as a beekeeper from bottom to top.
Ohio may have many chilly, cloudy days, but between all of that, our friend Cyndi is able to fulfill her hobby as a beekeeper.
Cyndi started her beekeeping journey in 2011 on her expansive, lush green plot of land tucked away in the woods of Chardon, Ohio. It all started when she was a little girl and Cyndi was “…into all kinds of animals and things you could imagine…” and she eventually told her parents“’I wanna get bees!’” Today, she keeps many hives spread across the property. So, I had to dive right in and ask Cyndi all about her beekeeping life:
In this current season, is there something you’re working on right now that you’re excited about with the bees?
Cyndi: “I’m actually excited to go out there and see how much honey is out there because I haven’t been out there in about a week or so.’”
When do you start collecting honey?
Cyndi: “’…We pulled honey within that last couple of weeks…Sometimes there’s not enough to pull. This year I got some hives that are really going-to-town.’”
How many beehives do you have?
Cyndi: “I have five hives. One is called the Shady Pines Retirement Hive because one of queens started laying really spotty and I was going to replace her, and I didn’t want to pinch her.”
Believe it or not, Cyndi does not pinch her queens: she relocates them into their own separate hives where they still produce and work but at a much lower rate and speed that a successful hive requires.
Cyndi: “I have a really big Saskatraz honeybee hive that made it through the winter which is really doing crazy right now…I’ve got another Saskatraz nuc in the spring which is doing really well…I split the hive that made it through the winter, which was my first walk-away split that actually ever actually worked so we were pretty excited about that.”
One thing I found to be quite charming is Cyndi’s naming convention for her bees:
Cyndi: “I’ve got a queen to replace, Susan, the retired queen, so now we’ve got Bernice, we have Natalie, we have Joy…and Trish!”
Naming her bees and her hives helps Cyndi distinguish her colonies.
How has Blue Sky Bee Supply supplemented your beekeeping journey?
Cyndi: “’Jamie and I used to work together and we have a mutual friend Joel” she replied. “He sold honey and I wanted to get bees, so I started pickin’ his brain. We became friends and I joined a beekeeper club for an entire year before I got bees…” She added “I talk to Mel a lot..I’ll be on my Facebook page like “’ Geez! *this* is happening’” and then you know Jamie will chime in…they’re both really helpful.”
Beekeeping is just one of many of Cyndi’s hobbies. Whether she can sell her jars of honey or not, her relationship with the bees keeps her in enticed by the hobby:
Cyndi: “People are like “’Why are you doing this? Are you doing this to make a lot of money? And I always laugh…I said “’ I’m trying to save the world!”
Beekeepers are different when it comes to the reason as to why they do what they do. Cyndi’s journey is one unique from many others: “I don’t know that there’s just one thing I love…the more I learn about it, the more interesting it becomes. It’s how they interact and all the different jobs they have. Their society is so complex.” She values both the educational and emotional components of beekeeping the most.
Beekeeping isn’t limited to a single type of person. Whether you’re dreaming about becoming a beekeeper in your youth like Cyndi, are in your quarter-life looking to profit from selling honey, or retired and looking to take up something new, beekeeping is lifestyle that can teach you more than you thought you’d ever learn about honeybees over a lifelong growing experience.
Spring into Renovation
Whether you’re dreaming of a kitchen remodel, bathroom makeover, or outdoor upgrade, timing always plays a role in the success of your renovation project. We’re sharing with you advice that will help you make the most of your renovation experience.
In Northeast Ohio, the best time of year to renovate your home typically depends on the specific project and your preferences. Many homeowners in the area do find that the spring and summer months are ideal for outdoor projects that include landscaping, deck construction, and exterior painting, as the weather is warmer and more conducive to outdoor work.
For indoor renovations, such as kitchen or bathroom remodels, fall and winter can be preferable, as contractors may have more availability. Additionally, completing indoor projects during the cooler months allows you to enjoy your newly renovated spaces during the colder season.
Designer: Tammi Graf – Hurst Remodel
The Great Outdoors
Spring is in full swing, and for homeowners in Northeast Ohio, it’s the perfect time to embark on home renovation projects that breathe new life into their spaces. As the weather warms up, many of us are inspired to refresh our homes and embrace the vibrant energy of the season. After months of cold weather and indoor “hibernation”, homeowners are eager to create inviting outdoor areas where they can relax and entertain a few guests. From spacious decks and cozy patios to lush gardens, there’s no shortage of options for enhancing outdoor living spaces in the spring.
Designer: Tammi Graf – Hurst Remodel
Heart of The Home
Another trend gaining momentum in the area this spring are kitchen renovations. As the heart of the home, the kitchen is a natural focal point for renovation projects, and many homeowners are seizing the opportunity to update their culinary spaces with modern amenities, stylish finishes, and functional layouts. Functional layouts in kitchen remodels optimize workflow, enhance organization, and maximize space utilization, making meal preparation and cleanup tasks more efficient and enjoyable. They ensure adaptability over time, creating inviting spaces for cooking, entertaining, and gathering with family and friends. Today’s kitchens are all about combining form and function to create spaces that are as beautiful as they are practical.
Designer: Bridget DiFilippo – Hurst Remodel
The Sanctuary
Bathroom makeovers are also popular among Northeast Ohio homeowners in the spring. Whether it’s a simple refresh with new fixtures and paint or a more extensive remodel with custom tile work or new, luxurious features, upgrading the bathroom can have a big impact on both the aesthetics and functionality of the home. Many people are eager to tackle projects that improve their daily routines and enhance their overall quality of life.
Modern trends are gravitating towards natural materials, earthy tones, and organic textures that evoke a sense of warmth and comfort. From reclaimed wood accents and stone countertops to neutral color palettes and minimalist decor, the emphasis is on creating spaces that feel inviting, serene, and harmonious with the surrounding environment.
Ultimately, the best time to renovate your home in Northeast Ohio depends on factors such as the scope of the project, your budget, and your timeline. With a focus on embracing the beauty of the season and incorporating timeless design elements, these popular home renovation projects are sure to elevate both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of any home.
“Someone buys a $200 piece, takes it home, uses it, then files a chargeback. Now I’m out the product and the money.”
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We’ve heard that exact story —more than once — from shop owners who are just trying to run an honest business. You do everything right: the sale goes through, the customer walks out smiling, maybe you even throw in a freebie or two to build goodwill. Then, days or weeks later, you get that dreaded notice from your payment processor:the transaction was reversed. And just like that, the bank sides with the cardholder.
Chargebacks are part of doing business anywhere, but if you’re running a vape or head shop, you already know they hit differently here. Customers don’t always play fair, and when you sell higher-ticket items like glass, devices, or bulk CBD, there’s a bigger incentive for people to try and game the system.Friendly fraud — where someone disputes a charge they knowingly made — is especially rampant in this space. They use the product, then call their bank and say the charge wasn’t them. Meanwhile, you’re left holding the bag, out hundreds of dollars and no easy way to fight back.
It’s not just frustrating. It’s damaging. Most processors charge you afee for every dispute, even if it’s completely baseless. If the chargebacks keep piling up, your processor might flag you as too risky to keep — especially if you’re with a mainstream provider like Stripe or Square. In fact, several of our clients came to us after getting dropped overnight, without a single warning or appeal process. That kind of instability is the last thing a small shop needs.
So what’s making this worse for head shops specifically? A lot of it comes down to perception. The second your product line includes anything like delta-8, kratom, or even just basic glassware, you're tagged as “high-risk” —even if everything you sell is fully legal. The problem is, banks and mainstream processors often make risk assessments based on industry codes, not actual business behavior. That means a head shop that’s never had a single refund can be treated more harshly than a boutique candle shop with constant disputes, simply because of the category they fall under (Visa Merchant DataStandards Manual, 2023).
Fighting back against chargebacks starts with documentation— clear receipts, strong shipping confirmations, even a signature on delivery for online orders over a certain amount. Keep in mind, however, even with all that in place, the key is having a processor that will stand up for your shop instead of leaving you to figure it out on your own. Many head shop owners don’t realize that their current processor isn’t submitting any evidence to fight on their behalf. If your processor isn’t helping you respond to disputes with tracking info, disclaimers, or proof of delivery, then you’re essentially going into a gunfight with a paper straw.
The truth is, chargebacks can often be prevented with just a bit of clarity up front. A simple disclaimer on your website or printed on your receipt — stating that all sales are final, and that customers are responsible for ensuring legal compliance in their state — can be enough to deter bad actors and help you build a stronger defense if a claim is filed. Let’s be honest: you didn’t start your shop to become an expert in payment disputes.You’re here to build a business, serve your customers, and bring something different to your community. Fighting fraud shouldn't have to become apart-time job.
If you’re seeing more chargebacks than you used to, or you're just tired of getting zero support from your processor, it might be time to reassess who you’re trusting with your transactions. Because in this industry, having the right payment partner doesn’t just protect your revenue — it protects your reputation, your inventory, and your ability to keep the doors open tomorrow.