Welcome to the second installment of this month’s highlight for Women’s Herstory Month! So, quick story. I had NO idea if this company would respond. I mean, their online presence is active. But, that doesn’t mean they would give a budding makeup artist the time of day for an interview. Well, Beatrice Dixon (Founder/CEO) and her team over at The Honey Pot Company, did just that! Y’all. I reached out to them via Instagram and we had an interview wrapped within 5 days. I’m still shooketh, lol. But, let’s get to the good stuff!

Last summer, I made an executive decision to remove chemical and toxins from my menstrual regimen. This was coming from someone who was an Always user for the last 20 years and Tampax user for almost 15 years. I asked a basic question on Twitter and asked people to give me their best, clean products. The Honey Pot was at the TOP of the list! I quickly began using their products and fell in love. Honestly. Within a few months, I noticed significant differences in the length of my cycle and that I hadn’t refilled my Naproxen 800mg prescription since I made the switch. It was a prescription I desperately relied on, in addition to sometimes using in addition to birth control. I haven’t taken anything for my cycle since switching to organic products. Since July 2019, I’ve been sharing my journey with these products on my personal social media pages. One Facebook post gained a lot of traction and you can check it out here.

I’ve shared my love for The Honey Pot so much that I’ve named myself “The Honey Pot Evangelist!” I’m just trying to spread the gospel of amazing products created by a Black woman! Oh, if you want to try them out, click here and get 20% off your first order from The Honey Pot! It’s a gift from them to me for you, lol. Enjoy my interview with Bea below!

All products pictured are those in my house, right now!

“Whitney Bond: What inspired the name of “The Honey Pot?”
Bea Dixon: I happened to be driving through town one evening and happened to see a flyer on a pole that said The Honey Pot Band. I just loved the name.”

WB: Your sales have increased by almost 50% since the ‘negative’ reviews. So much so, that you are currently out of stock online! How do you plan on continuing to keep the momentum going?
BD: We are working hard behind the scenes to restock online and in stores. We are also working on getting into more retailers so there are more options for customers to find our products. We are also going to continue making healthy, clean products that women need and love!

WB: Additionally, how were you alerted about the reviews and what was your initial reaction?
BD: We found out from our social media! On Monday morning, there were lots of chats on Twitter. One of our customers alerted her network and the world about the fact that there were negative reviews out there. I was shocked that so many people were alarmed. Within one day, our customers left 17,000 reviews on the Trustpilot.com in order to counteract the racist comments. I was truly moved.

WB: So, what is your favorite item from your line and why?
BD: I love my wash. It’s the product that started everything. It’s clean, effective and I use my wash every single day.
WB: I also use it daily and I agree!

WB: Where do you see your business in the next 3-5 years?
BD: I see Honey Pot being a household name. I also see our brand expanding overseas as there is a true need for our products everywhere in the world. Also, the plan is to sell the business to a large conglomerate in order to scale this business in a major way. Even though we plan to sell that doesn’t mean the brand will change. Actually it allows the brand to become more accessible and continue to grow!

WB: With March being Women’s Herstory Month, who are the women that inspire you?
BD: My mother inspires me daily. She is a strong woman who taught me to chase my dreams. I am also inspired by my team, several who are strong, talented women.

WB: Can you tell me about a time you failed and almost quit. What made you keep going?
BD: There have been times in my life where things got hard and I may have wanted to throw in the towel but I am someone who commits to things. When I commit, I don’t give up. I see it all the way through. Commitment is the key to success in any aspect of life.

WB: With that being said, what advice would you offer other Black women who are small business owners?
BD: Make sure you are passionate about your business. Be open to learning new things and always take the time to speak to and get to know your customers as they are your lifeblood and the reason you’re in business.

WB: As a Black woman, what are some things you know for sure?
BD: I know that I am magical, powerful and that I am blessed.
WB: We love to see it!

WB: Lastly, is there anything in the pipelines for The Honey Pot?
BD: We are super excited about our new launches happening throughout the spring and summer! We can’t wait to continue serving women healthy feminine care that works!”

The Honey Pot can be found online (get a subscription…it’s worth it!), Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Here’s to healthy vaginas!

Real Reviews & More Honey Pot Love!

“No pain at all on days 3-6. And as someone with Endometriosis, these are the only days of the entire month that I’m pain free!!!!” — Arielle D.

“What I love most about them is, I feel better knowing what's so close to that part of my body. Also, after the Target commercial, I'm super proud to give her all my money!” — Marisa E.

“I have convinced several friends & coworkers to use The Honey Pot and I make sure I give the warning about the tingling sensation so they’re not too surprised. I began using the wipes & feminine wash not too long after and life down there has been a breath of fresh air. I wish The Honey Pot was around in my teenage years. Much love & success to The Honey Pot!” — Thea W.

“Well I haven’t had a menstrual cycle for 8.5 months/most of the time I’ve been using them, lol. However, I know I’m prone to some vaginal issues due to any slight change in pH and I haven’t had any issues all pregnancy. That’s unheard of for me. Everyone I’ve referred to them has said the same 🙌🏾They leave me feeling clean and I have no doubt it’s what’s keeping any infections at bay. I have been referring them to all the moms in my due date group.” — Tiffany M.

“I’m wary of all feminine washes because the wind blowing the wrong way can throw off pH, but baby... that sensitive wash from the Honeypot is a MUST.” — Twitter user @BELLEionaire

ADDENDUM
The original blog post was completed prior to learning of people discouraging women from using The Honey Pot because Bea has unashamedly stated that she received her recipes from conversing with her Ancestors. Originally, I wasn’t going to address the messages I’d witnessed online. However, some of you may not know that I earned my Master of Divinity (with a certificate in Black Church Studies) and that I’m currently a PhD Student in the field of Theology, Ethics and the Human Sciences. While I try to keep these blog posts short and sweet, I felt it was my duty as a scholar and clergy person to dismantle the language and flat out untruths regarding ancestral and spiritual work.

The biblical text, in the Old and New Testaments, shares countless narratives of ancestors. The writers of The Bible have claimed to have been inspired by God as the canon was written and crafted. That is a blog post for another day and another platform. But if one does a simple word search on “ancestors,” they would see how many times the writers speak of them within the text. One of my favorites is, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (ancestors), let us also lay aside every weight…and let us run with endurance the race (our life’s callings) that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1).” It also made me wonder if people really thought Jesus was the only possible ancestor? And if that is the case, how do we then carry out our own familiar and cultural traditions if we aren’t supposed share space with our ancestors?

“I recently became aware that some Christians were afraid of using products from The Honey Pot Company because the founder received the ingredients for her products through communication with her ancestors. I’m curious about how folks understand Jesus speaking with his ancestors for what would later become known as the Transfiguration-a key part of his life and ministry. Is that particular meeting (and/or Jesus) considered to be the exception to the rule in terms of communication with ancestors? Is communication with ancestors just not ok in other religious contexts? Let me know your thoughts around the issue.”

—Nicole R. Saxon

Saxon’s FB post and the above tweet had me reading people’s responses with my mouth wide open! I couldn’t believe there were so many people who believed and shared similar ideologies. Many are arguing that Bea’s practice is anti-Christian, anti-Bible, and sinful. After one of Saxon’s followers attempted to dismiss her claims, she responded by saying, “As one with leanings towards practical theology, I was trying to gain clarity on how people make sense of seeing the practice of engaging with ancestors as diabolical while having a lord and savior (who serves as a perfect example of what they should be) engage in that practice. It seems as if the question was triggering.” She kind of hit the nail on the head! Writer and cultural critic, Kia Speaks, who is also a seminarian, had this to say in response to the tweet above. “People are repeating talking points that white colonizers used to dehumanize and oppress our ancestors and indigenous people. White Christians equated Christianity with their culture, so as they were attempting to assimilate and covert African and Indigenous people, any cultural practices that were unfamiliar to them were deemed savage and demonic. Fortunately, our ancestors refused to allow their culture to die and brought a number of these cultural practices into their practice of Christianity. There is nothing demonic or even anti-Christ about mixing herbs and using them for their cleaning properties. And while I am a firm advocate of prayer, there is no need to rebuke demons while washing your lady parts with The Honey Pot.” To that I say, “PERIODT!, no pun intended.

Happy Women's Herstory Month, Part II!