At Nature Nate’s Honey Co., we strive to be good stewards of everything entrusted to us. From our Happy Hives, Happy Lives program to the way we approach sustainability on the farm, we desire to be known as a company that is authentic and natural in all we do.
We recently sat down with Stu Grubbs, the Chief Financial Officer at Nature Nate’s, to get a sneak peek into his world both as a steward of finances and of family.
Q: How would you describe your role on the Nature Nate’s team?
A: I am the CFO at the farm, which basically means I have the honor of leading the finance and accounting teams for Nature Nate’s. I also have the opportunity to provide strategy and insight into the business as a whole. Something you might not guess about my role is that I have the privilege of overseeing the buying of honey from beekeepers all across the country. These relationships are key for us as a company, and we value the hard work and dedication of the men and women we do business with.
Q: As a company, we strive to be leaders in educating consumers on why choosing Raw & Unfiltered honey over processed sugar is important as well as setting the highest quality standards in our field. What strides do you see us making to ensure both of these goals are met?
A: With so many types of honey on the shelves, it’s not always easy to know which option is best for you and your family. Through our production process, we strive to put only the best honey on the shelf and on your table. Our beekeepers must uphold the highest standards and care about the bees and community the same way we do. We regularly check the honey for herbicides, pesticides and antibiotics. Our Quality Assurance team tests in-house for the colour, moisture, acidity and gluten while an external facility checks pollen, sugar, acidity and lead. This is important to me as both an employee and as a father because if you are going to have something sweet, it’s important to have it as natural and pure from the source as possible.
Q: The Nature Nate’s family implements a set of core values called the Bee Attitudes. Is there a specific attitude you strive to implement?
A: “Bee Passionate” is an attitude I pursue on a daily basis. I am very passionate about my role on this team and about our company as a whole. I believe in what we do. I want to do my job to the fullest potential because I know it impacts lives and the kingdom of God. Our passions and abilities were never intended for personal glory, so what I love to see how the work I do benefits others.
Q: Nathan has stated, “This company is driven by more than the bottom line — we measure success not just by what we achieve, but also by what we contribute.” How do you see this play out not only in your role on the team, but also in the life of the company?
A: Being impactful within my family, my church, and my community is a big deal to me. I want to be a steward of the experiences God has given while helping further the reach of Nature Nate’s as a whole. Giving back through our Honey Gives Hope program is a strategic way for us to meet target needs in our city and around the country.
Q: What is something fun you would want our audience to know about you?
A: That’s easy. My number one best friend is my wife. We do everything together and I can’t imagine my life without her. Seriously. She is the best.
