By Maggie Gaddy 

From smokers and bee suits to honey and hive tools, Foxhound Bee Co. offers an array of equipment options for novice and expert beekeepers.

It’s a sweet success for Adam Hickman, whose buzzing business in Irondale began in the beekeeper’s garage.

“Foxhound Bee Co. is a place for beekeepers and non-beekeepers,” said Hickman, who serves on the Alabama Farmers Federation State Bee & Honey Committee. “We just want to inspire people to be good stewards of the environment through supporting the bee industry.” 

After gleaning inspiration from his great-grandfather, Hickman started his company with just one hive in 2012. The full-service beekeeping supply company now spans more than 30,000 square feet.

“We strive to carry a variety of products,” Hickman said. “I needed an operations space, distribution, a place to run a forklift and somewhere to receive shipments. It went from a shelf in my garage to three warehouses and a storefront.” 

Hickman’s business also houses an educational space that hosts events. He recently started a free women’s beekeeping class where participants learn about bees, share experiences and enjoy hands-on, bee-inspired crafts. 

“I look at this like community development,” Hickman said. “I do encourage people to get into beekeeping. I want them to be successful at it, but I want them to truly love it before they go all in and buy the stuff.”

The thriving business didn’t expand overnight. Before launching Foxhound Bee Co., Florida native Hickman spent a decade developing recipes after attending culinary school in Miami. He later studied business management at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

There, he met his wife and planted roots in Jefferson County. 

“At first, I saw the appeal in beekeeping and thought it was a fun hobby,” Hickman said. “I then realized I could make some money here. I enjoyed it. I began learning more about the business side of things. That’s when I started buying extra equipment so other beekeepers could source it from me.” 

Hickman launched his LLC in 2014 after realizing he could turn a side hustle into a full-time career. 

“I never allowed myself to think I could do it full time, have employees or own a building,” Hickman said. “Things just grew naturally. I realized if I could do this much with half my time, I needed to go all in.”

Foxhound Bee Co. sells a variety of honey, including Sweet Grown Alabama honey, Florida tupelo honey and North Carolina sourwood honey. Hickman said offering multiple varieties helps customers understand no two honeys taste exactly alike thanks to regional flora where bees forage.

“The only difference is the flower it came from,” Hickman said. “Honey is special. I love teaching people how unique those flavors can be.”

Hickman’s expertise even led him and fellow Alabama beekeepers to an unexpected opportunity in Hollywood. 

During production of “The Rivals of Amziah King,” a thriller starring Matthew McConaughey, movie producers visited Foxhound Bee Co.’s original downtown Birmingham location seeking inspiration for the film’s bee scenes. 

That spur-of-the-moment visit turned into a consulting role for Hickman. The movie, set for release in August, features bees and equipment from Hickman and other local beekeepers.

“One of the highs of my life was helping with the production,” Hickman said. “What was especially meaningful was seeing McConaughey use the same bee smoker my great-grandfather used. That’s the smoker that piqued my interest in beekeeping as a hobby.”

Federation Bee & Honey Division Director Blake Thaxton said he’s proud to have a volunteer-leader with Hickman’s knowledge, passion and expertise guiding policy for beekeepers across Alabama. 

“Adam is an encouraging entrepreneur who understands the growing bee industry in Alabama,” Thaxton said. “Foxhound Bee Co. is a helpful resource for apiarists. He’s a great fit for the committee.” 

Hickman said he was introduced to the Federation through the local Jefferson County Beekeepers’ Association. 

“I wanted to be involved at another level I could contribute to,” Hickman said. “I’m proud to work with the group that moves the needle on things and makes a difference. I was looking for the next step that could change things for the future.”