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w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m M a r c h 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 35 now. And bees are something that should not be overlooked, because they help us so much." Mandeltort says she used to be "pretty terrified" of bees, but got to know them through a family friend who taught her beekeeping, and she carried the experience over to Lawrence. Last winter, all three of the university's hives died out. Wayne also lost his colonies last year and says the severe winter was to blame. Lawrence students order bees and supplies from Honey Bee Ware because it's a locally owned business and they enjoy the expertise Wayne and Joan can provide. "Beekeepers are interesting people. It's always fun to go find another beekeeper and share stories and ask questions," Mandeltort says. e name for Honey Bee Ware came to Wayne in his previous career as a long-haul trucker. "When you're driving truck your mind has a tendency to wander when you're going across these great big deserts at night," Wayne says. "You think about this and think about that. I thought, 'A good name for a beekeeping company would be Honey Bee Ware.' And that's where it came from." Wayne also worked in the oil fields of North Dakota before becoming a team truck driver with Joan. He's originally from Nebraska and she's from Iowa, and they settled in Wisconsin in the 1980s. ey have six children, four of whom live in the area. e Gerdts' daughter, Jody, lives in Australia with her husband, a state bee inspector. Wayne and Joan's son Preston is a fourth-generation beekeeper who also is involved with Honey Bee Ware, and this summer, the fih generation — the Gerdts' grandsons — will be helping out in the store. O N T H E W E B Honey Bee Ware: www.honeybeeware.com To see bee expert Marla Spivak discuss why bees are disappearing, visit http://www.ted.com/talks and search "Marla Spivak." A d v e r t i s i n g M a r k e t i n g S t r a t e g y We b P u b l i c R e l a t i o n s One agency supplies what you need: full-service advertising, web development, digital marketing, and powerful insight. Let's punch it. goelement.com A_EC13-1114 Pump Ad_Insight_FINAL.indd 1 1/14/15 3:25 PM www.pro1janitorial.com 800-938-8488 CommerCial Cleaning Professionals JANITORIAL Ask about our franchise opportunities! Statewide Coverage Fond du Lac Fox Cities Green Bay Janesville Kenosha Madison Manitowoc Marinette Milwaukee Racine Sheboygan Wausau • Post construction cleanups • Daily, weekly, monthly or one time services • Floor maintenance services