A version of the following article appeared in the October 28, 2026, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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A ‘bee whisperer’ builds a growing business around helping homeowners and companies care for their hives; N.C. State grad is ‘very passionate about bees’
Justin Maness, founder of Buddha Bee Apiary, services beehives hosted on people’s personal property. (Photo by Rachelle Lerude)
by Carroll Walton
Tom Finnie and his wife, Aimee, took up beekeeping when the last of their four children left the house and the couple moved from Ballantyne to Belmont, looking for a new hobby.
They joined the local beekeeper association, read the books, bought the hive, protective gear and other equipment. The first season produced a great batch of honey. The second? A swarm — which is apiculture terminology for bees who flew the coop, leaving them with nothing to show for the nearly $1,000 they had spent.
“Our first year when we had such good success, we're like, ‘Oh, this is great,’” Finnie said.
Then he laughed, which he can do now, after he called in an expert for help. He now has two thriving hives, which he proudly calls his “apiary” to visiting friends and family.
Finnie is one of a growing number of people and businesses outsourcing at least some of the work to beekeeping pros — a niche business segment that seems to be thriving.
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