Lakewood couple creates buzz with beekeeping business
Jen and Bryan Zavada’s Lakewood backyard is unlike most. Instead of the usual grass and shrubs, it’s buzzing with bees, blooming lavender and an array of pollinator plants — a testament to the couple’s passion for beekeeping and the environment.
Their journey into the bee business went from a simple backyard hobby to a thriving, locally renowned honey business. And with each jar of honey and bar of lavender soap, they’re creating more than products; they’re fostering a culture of sustainability and local connection.
“We bought a house in Lakewood right as my wife and I were starting our careers with the Jeffco school district and a family. I didn’t want to mow my lawn every weekend in the summertime,” Bryan said.
“So we started pulling out our lawn and putting in pollinator and drought-tolerant plants,” he continued. “Over time, we pulled out more and more lawn and I gained a greater appreciation for pollinators along the way.”
Pollinator plants are types of plants that attract and support pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other insects by providing nectar and pollen. They are often rich in color, especially shades of purple, yellow and red, and they frequently have shapes and scents that appeal to specific pollinators.
Yet, it wasn’t until an expert came and spoke to Bryan’s elementary students about all types of bees and the benefits they provide to the local food supply and environment that he became inspired to purchase a colony.
“I had always thought to myself I should be a beekeeper,” Bryan said. “And then this lady came in and taught my class about bees for about 45 minutes, and that was the impetus that put me over the edge.”
He explained that the thing about bees is that they either make more honey or make more bees. It wasn’t long before they had more than they knew what to do of both. They began experimenting with recipes and giving honey away as holiday gifts.
Then, a trip to the annual lavender festival in Palisade inspired Jen to begin growing lavender and to learn more about the therapeutic properties of local plants and how to use them to make essential oils. Today, their property boasts over 200 lavender plants, which they use to make essential oils, soaps and other products.
“Lavender was the perfect complement to the bees,” Jen said. “Not only did it make our honey unique, but it also gave us new products to offer the community.”
In 2019, they took the leap and officially launched their business, Flower Street Farm, just in time for the pandemic to shut down farmer’s markets and limit their ability to get the word out.
Although it delayed their entry into local markets, the break gave them valuable time to expand their colonies and prepare for the future. By 2021, they were ready, hitting the market circuit in full force.
Bryan said the moment he knew they’d made it came while standing in their booth at the Denver Botanical Garden’s lavender festival. They’d gone from attending festivals to selling at them.
“We got there in an authentic way, which felt really good,” Jen said. “We stayed true to who we were as educators and as people interested in sustainability and renewable resources.”
They now sell their products at popular venues, including Denver’s Botanic Gardens events and the Highlands Farmers Market, as well as through their website.
For the couple, beekeeping is a family affair. Their sons often help, supporting them at farmers’ markets and during the busy production season. While the market season slows in winter, the couple keeps busy by attending beekeeping conferences, researching sustainable practices and refining their products.
Bryan also offers workshops and consultations for aspiring beekeepers and is an advisor for the Colorado State Beekeepers Association.
Through their work, they hope to inspire others to see the beauty and importance of bees and to support pollinator health in their own ways. Bryan and Jen encourage people to look at their property as land they can cultivate instead of a spot for grass.
“Not everyone needs to be a beekeeper to support local pollinators,” Jen said. “A great way to do it is to purchase local honey and get to know your beekeeper. Know the people that you’re purchasing from and know that you’re getting an authentic product.”
Each season, their passion for bees and sustainable beekeeping grows stronger, and they’re excited to see where it takes them next.
“It feels good to know we’re doing something meaningful,” Jen said. “We love sharing our passion with the community, and we hope it inspires others to think differently about their own impact.”
