Josef Kölbl, originally a viola player, founded Včelařství Domovina with his wife Alena as a…

Josef Kölbl, originally a viola player, founded Včelařství Domovina with his wife Alena as a hobby, which grew into a business with a turnover of 60 million CZK last year. He manages about 200 hives and produces traditional and flavored honey, starting his workday at 4 a.m. during the season.

Kölbl studied viola at a conservatory but shifted from music to entrepreneurship during his studies, initially selling drinks and pastries. Meeting Alena led him to beekeeping, inspired by her brother who started beekeeping. They bought their first hives in 2016, adapting their life and expenses to the new hobby without expecting it to become a business.