While some college students become resident assistants or baristas to help cover school fees, Anthony Ondo took a less traditional approach: bees.
Ondo, a senior at Chatham University who studies sustainable business, is a dedicated beekeeper who manages a 50-hive apiary in western Pennsylvania. Ondo harvests the honey twice a year and sells it to help pay for his tuition.
"I have some scholarship opportunities and do take one small federal loan, but other than that, I'm able to pay the rest of that tuition with money from my business," Ondo, 23, told Business Insider. "Since day one, I've made a profit."
"This is the ultimate side business because you don't necessarily need to be there 9-to-5 every day. There's flexibility," he added.
Ondo said he initially discovered his passion for beekeeping the summer after high school. At that time, a friend's grandfather had an apiary business and needed help harvesting the honey.
Ondo agreed. Despite getting stung within the first 15 minutes, he knew beekeeping was something he wanted to pursue. After that first harvest, Ondo began managing a handful of hives by himself and officially launched his business in 2024.
Scaling Up
Scaling the business has been a key part of Ondo's success, though it didn't involve VC investors or rounds of funding.
Ondo needed more land for his apiary, so he armed himself with bottles of honey and knocked on doors, asking if he could put beehives in backyards.
"I negotiate with property owners to keep the hives on the property. I give them my little 30-second pitch and let them try the honey. I've been very successful," Ondo said, adding that the owners are typically happy to accept a few bottles of honey as payment.
Ondo has also found luck through partnerships, including one with Dillner Family Farms in nearby Gibsonia. He also sells his honey to local cafés and small businesses in the area.
"As I grow the hive count, I've collected thousands of pounds of honey that I have to distribute," Ondo said. "I try to be mindful of who I choose, and educate them on the importance of the local honey."
Eden Hall, a haven at Chatham University
In addition to his personal apiary, Ondo also oversees two apiaries at Chatham University's Eden Hall, a 388-acre part of the campus where students can gain hands-on experience in sustainable practices.
"We have one planet. This is our home, and we need to learn how to take care of it, not just for ourselves, but for future generations that come along," Emily Heffernan, the dean of the Falk School of Sustainability and Environment, told Business Insider.
Heffernan, who is also a beekeeper, said Ondo emodies that goal.
"We like to train our students to figure that out. How do you become the innovator of tomorrow? How do you make your passion, your career?" Heffernan said. "Anthony's a great example of that."
