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Young Entrepreneur Sees Golden Oppor tunities in Carmel B Y R E N E E B R I N C K S I t's been a busy autumn for Carmel High School freshman Jake Reisdorf, who turned 15 in October. He recently traveled to Europe to source products for Carmel Honey Company, just weeks after the young beekeeper opened his brand's first brick-and-mortar loca- tion at Carmel Plaza. In addition to stocking honey, gifts and hive- related goods, the store has a tasting counter where customers can sample products and learn about pollinators. Reisdorf, who turned a school project into a buzzing online business three years ago, saw the shop as a logical next step. "People kept asking how to visit our store and meet us and learn more," he says. "Carmel didn't have a honey tasting room, so this was a great opportunity." Reisdorf 's general contractor father, Jeff, designed and built out the space, while his mother, Becky, manages daily operations. Brooke, his 11-year-old sister, works on window displays and helps in the store. Balancing school, speaking engagements and shop time is a challenge that Reisdorf happily accepts. "It's basically like working two full-time jobs," he says, "but talking to the people who come in and support us is really rewarding." Carmel Honey Company is located at Carmel Plaza Shopping Center on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Mission Street in downtown Carmel. To learn more about the benifits of honey, and for store hours, please visit www.carmelhoneycompa- ny.com or call 831/687-8511. SHORTCUTS BUSINESS Local honey hero, Jake Reisdorf, has opened a brick and mortar location to feature his honey and educate the public on the importance of pollinators. 76 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 7 Photo: Kelli Uldall