red headed honey products are crafted from honeybee byproducts that we sustainably harvest from our hives in Southern Michigan. Our honeybees enjoy hundreds of acres of land, surrounded by forests, wildflowers, fruit trees, and a natural spring lake. While making all natural skin care products for you to enjoy is our main focus, we also share in a mission to bring more awareness to declining honeybee populations and pledge 1% of our sales to honeybee preservation.

The company was originally founded in Willow Creek, CA in 2005 as a hobby until May of 2014 when the company moved to Camden, MI and Jeff joined the team after meeting Niki while vacationing in Costa Rica. It was a serendipitous moment and since they first met they haven’t looked back as they focus on growing their company organically.

Niki Backes
Founder and President

Niki was born and raised in Southern Michigan. After graduating high school, Niki discovered her passion for honeybees while working for a company to help maintain over 500 hives.

In 2002, Niki moved to Northern California to attend Humboldt State University where she received a degree in psychology and philosophy. In 2005, while still at Humboldt State University, she founded red headed honey. In addition to attending classes to learn about all natural herbs, she continues to educate herself about honeybees and the useful applications of their byproducts including honey, beeswax, propolis and royal jelly. She has taught several classes about beekeeping and has helped many aspiring beekeepers in her community.

In 2013, Niki was recruited to work in Germany for Ansgar Westerhoff with more than 3,000 beehives. Her time spent in Germany greatly broadened her knowledge as a beekeeper. Upon returning from Germany, Niki was very determined to expand her business. In that pursuit, she traveled to Costa Rica in early 2014 to work with Africanized bees, which is when she met Jeff. Shortly after, she moved back home to Michigan and established a new home for red headed honey. With her deep understanding of honeybees and herbs, she continues to formulate new and existing products for red headed honey's skin care line which uses only 100% all natural ingredients and sustainably harvested honeybee byproducts.

Jeff Dayton
CEO

Jeff Dayton is red headed honey’s CEO. He is responsible for executing the overall strategy and vision of the company. When he joined as CEO Jeff played an instrumental role in the rebranding and restructuring of the company which was originally founded in 2005. Currently he is overseeing the general direction of the company as he actively works to establish retail and wholesale distribution channels.

Until August of 2013, Jeff worked in the logistics industry as an account executive. During his eight years with the company, he produced more than $52M in revenue while also learning key skills that are required to be successful in competitive industries which will prove essential in the success of red head honey.

Jeff's involvement in other industries is not limited. He is also sole operating manager of a logistics consulting company and a real estate management company.

He also enjoys the craft beer industry and is an investor in Empirical Brewery, which is expected to be Chicago's 3rd largest brewery in the coming years. In the near future red headed honey will be providing the honey for a beer brewed by Empirical.