Mountain Thyme Honey
Amanda Forrester
July 14, 2026
From Four Hives to Fifteen State Park Gift Shops
Owner: Sarah Melendy
Website: https://www.mountainthymehoney.com/
Mountain Thyme Honey began as a simple dream. After nearly thirty years in Northern Virginia, Sarah Melendy moved to a quiet log cabin surrounded by mountains and wild thyme, imagining a slower, more intentional life. She had long been fascinated by beekeeping, inspired by her daughter’s college course in honeybee biology and a high school honeybee club where students shared jars of fresh honey like precious gifts. When Sarah discovered stacks of unused hive equipment in the garage of her new home, it felt like a sign. The former owner told her she could keep everything, and Sarah stepped into beekeeping with curiosity and a sense of wonder that still shapes her business today.
Her first season brought four bustling hives, producing enough honey to share with friends and family. By her second year, she began selling jars at the local farmers market under the name Mountain Thyme Honey, a tribute to the creeping thyme that carpets her stone patio each summer. Sales grew quickly when Sarah noticed a pressing need during the pandemic. Working in a senior living community, she saw residents and caregivers struggle with painfully dry skin from constant handwashing. Using beeswax from her hives, she created her first Healing Bee Butter, which became her signature product overnight.
From there, the business evolved naturally, shaped by customer conversations and Sarah’s commitment to helping people. A customer request led to her first magnesium spray, which became a top seller. Curiosity about propolis sparked a new product line after she researched its global use in natural medicine. Over time, she added jewelweed salves, Good Vibes rollers, and other products inspired by the land and the people she serves. “The feedback is what keeps me going,” Sarah shared. “When someone tells me my products changed their life, it fills me with so much purpose.”
Sarah connected with the Greater Roanoke + New River Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) after meeting Heather, an advisor and fellow farmers market supporter. As Sarah considered turning her growing hobby into a full business, she realized she needed structure, licensing, and guidance. Heather became a partner in the truest sense, helping her form an LLC, develop systems, organize finances, and think strategically about production. They met every other week, working through goals, questions, and dreams one step at a time. “Without the SBDC, I would have given up,” Sarah said. “It can be lonely being a business owner, and they gave me the encouragement and direction I needed.”
Today, Mountain Thyme Honey is preparing for its next chapter. Sarah recently completed a new production space on her property, allowing her to scale responsibly and reach more retailers.
“I feel like the SBDC is my partner in this business,” Sarah said. “I may be a one-woman show, but I have a whole team behind me.”
Mountain Thyme Honey continues to grow with intention, rooted in craftsmanship, community, and the extraordinary power of bees. Every jar, balm, and spray reflects Sarah’s belief that nature’s gifts should be shared—and that small businesses thrive when passion meets the right guidance.
Economic Impact
- Formed Mountain Thyme Honey as a registered business with SBDC support
- Expanded from farmers market sales to 15 Virginia state park gift shops
- Developed and launched multiple new product lines including bee butter, propolis formulas, magnesium products, and herbal blends
- Secured $75,000 to increase capacity with a dedicated production building
