Beekeeper John Geden is a former British Army officer. Today, he runs a successful local honey business on the South Coast of England.
From Military Service to a New Purpose
John joined the British Army in 1983 at just seventeen. At that time, he served as an officer in the Royal Military Police. After leaving the Army, he moved into policing. As a result, he joined Hampshire Police and worked in several departments for twenty-two years.
However, in 2014, doctors diagnosed John with PTSD. This diagnosis followed traumatic experiences during his Army and police service. With support from Help for Heroes and Combat Stress, he therefore chose early retirement to focus on recovery.
Discovering Beekeeping
John first encountered beekeeping in 1991. At that point, he had recently left the Army. As part of his resettlement, he completed a ten-week beekeeping course. From the start, the bees captured his interest.
Since then, John has kept bees on and off. Over time, his skills improved. Eventually, fourteen years later, that interest became a business.
“I feel safe next to an open beehive. After all, who is going to come and bother me?”
Sinah Common Honey: Local and Natural
Today, John runs Sinah Common Honey, a small-scale local honey business. His hives sit on Hayling Island and in nearby areas. In particular, they occupy the southern slopes of the South Downs.
As a result, John produces 100% natural, local honey. He sells it at food markets, farm shops, and Southern Co-operative stores. These outlets operate across Hampshire and Sussex. Meanwhile, John manages around 140 bee colonies at any one time.
Importantly, every jar comes from local bees. Likewise, each harvest remains fresh and natural.
Building a Successful Business
To strengthen his business knowledge, John attended a six-day Help for Heroes and X-Forces course. During the programme, he developed his brand. In addition, he learned how to manage a small business more effectively.
As a result, his efforts gained national recognition. In 2016, he won Service Leaver Business Start-Up of the Year. The Nationwide Resettlement Awards ceremony took place at Manchester Arena. Notably, former BBC Breakfast presenter and fellow beekeeper Bill Turnbull presented the award.
“The Help for Heroes and X-Forces course helped me turn my fascination with bees into a business that truly makes me happy.”
Expanding the Product Range
In addition to honey, Sinah Common Honey offers other products. For example, John produces beeswax candles and wedding favours. Furthermore, he runs beekeeping courses for beginners and experienced keepers. He also breeds and sells Queen Bees.
Importantly, John gives back to the veteran community. For instance, he runs free beekeeping courses for Help for Heroes beneficiaries. Through this work, injured, wounded, and sick veterans gain calm, confidence, and purpose.
Future Plans and Giving Back
Meanwhile, John continues to invest in his bees and facilities. As a result, he plans to grow the business steadily. However, he remains committed to staying local and trusted.
Looking ahead, John is developing new ideas. For example, he is exploring alcohol-infused honey products. In addition, he is working on honey-based cosmetics. One project focuses on a beeswax, honey, and propolis balm. Specifically, the balm aims to reduce irritation where prosthetics rub against amputated limbs.
Finally, John hopes to work with military charities. Through these partnerships, he aims to bring the product to market.
Today, Sinah Common Honey also operates as the BJ Sherriff Distributor for the South Coast of England.