Sweet Success: Foxhound Bee
Foxhound Bee Company began the way many great small businesses do—with a hobby that solved a local need. President and Master Beekeeper Adam Hickman started keeping bees as a personal interest but soon discovered that Alabama lacked easy access to high-quality beekeeping products backed by real, practical service. What began as a small side hustle quickly grew. As demand increased, Hickman found himself spending more time supporting local beekeepers than on his professional career. “It was inevitable to make the change,” he recalls. “At some point, I had to dive headfirst into running Foxhound Bee Co full-time.”
From its online beginnings in 2014, Foxhound Bee Company grew steadily and opened Alabama’s only fully stocked brick-and-mortar beekeeping supply store in downtown Birmingham in 2021. Today, Foxhound serves ships to all 50 states and has shipped to 32 different countries through it’s a strong e-commerce presence. In 2024 alone, Foxhound had over 4,000 customers walk through the doors of its small brick-and-mortar store.
What Sets Foxhound Apart
Foxhound’s reputation is built on quality, consistency, and education. Every product, whether honey, equipment, or hive accessories—is designed to serve beekeepers and their bees well. The company prioritizes customer education through online content, classes, workshops, and hands-on learning experiences.
Now operating from a new multi-acre campus in Irondale, Foxhound’s facility includes retail space, distribution and warehousing, outdoor education areas, and the foundation for future manufacturing capacity. The expansion allows Foxhound to deliver “a retail experience like no other,” while meeting growing national demand.
Vision for the Future
With new space and expanded capabilities, Foxhound Bee Company is preparing for its most ambitious seasons yet. The company is launching additional educational programs, expanding hands-on workshops, and broadening its product lines to support both local and nationwide customers. “Every spring and summer is our biggest and best,” Hickman says. “And we’re looking forward to another great year with all of our new space.”
Future plans include increased capacity for equipment manufacturing, the potential acquisition of another company, and the further development of agri-tourism and pollinator-education programming.
How the Alabama SBDC Helped
As Foxhound grew, Hickman turned to the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network for guidance—especially during the challenging process of relocating, securing financing, and planning a major construction project. Beginning in 2022, the SBDC provided ongoing support with managing the growth of the business and the process of securing expanding into the next chapter for Foxhound.
With guidance from the SBDC along the way, Foxhound Bee Company secured a nearly $4 million SBA 504 financing package through Peoples Bank to acquire land, renovate warehouse space, and construct a new 5,000-square-foot retail and education center.
In Hickman’s own words:
The Alabama SBDC helped provide connection and guidance during the expansion process; it’s important to have good people around you, and my SBDC Advisor is one of those.”
A Stronger Future for Alabama’s Beekeeping Community
Today, Foxhound Bee Company employs 15 full-time staff between remote and local staff, continues to produce YOY growth between 25-65%, and stands as a statewide hub for beekeeping supplies, pollinator education, and community growth. The grand opening of its new Irondale facility in November 2025 marks a major milestone—not just for the company, but for beekeepers across Alabama.
Foxhound’s story reflects the powerful combination of passion, perseverance, and the right support at the right time. With the SBDC’s guidance and a clear vision for the future, the company is poised to continue expanding its impact on beekeeping, education, and pollinator stewardship across the region.