Some businesses start with a plan. Rocky Mountain Beeswax Company started with a legacy.
For founder John Haefeli, beekeeping isn’t just a craft—it’s the thread that connects six generations of his family, stretching back to 1903, when his ancestors immigrated from Switzerland before settling in southern Colorado in 1905. Bees have been part of the Haefeli family story ever since.
A Heart for Hives
John was only 12 when he first suited up to work the hives, discovering a fascination that never faded. He left for college, but beekeeping—and the idea of creating value-added bee products— brought him right back home. By 2017, he had crafted his first bar of soap in a 150-square-foot workshop built by his great-grandfather. For the next six years, that tiny space became the heart of the business, where John formulated every product himself, poured every batch, and learned to maximize every inch of room and every minute of the day.
Every product the company makes is formulated by John himself, crafted with a “no fluff, no fillers” mindset. If an ingredient doesn’t serve a purpose for the skin, it stays out. The honey and beeswax come directly from the Haefeli family hives, all minimally processed to preserve their natural benefits. As the product line has expanded, John has partnered with local farmers to add fresh goat’s milk and other local products to his soaps—a reflection of his commitment to his community and to his roots.
Natural, Affordable, Local
What sets the company apart, John says, is that he has his hand in every single step of production. From melting wax and mixing soaps to hand-wrapping bars and labeling finished products, his attention to detail guides the entire process. Years of careful formulation—and plenty of testing with friends—have shaped products that showcase the very best of the bees and the valley they thrive in. Everything is natural, affordable, and rooted in local ingredients.
Today, the business has moved into a larger workshop in Monte Vista, giving John room to grow. He still spends his days moving between tasks—start a soap batch, melt beeswax, pour candles, let everything set, then package and prepare online orders or for the next market. Farmers markets have been part of his life since he was 14, and he still loves meeting people, answering questions, and building relationships around the products he makes.
Looking ahead, John plans to expand into infused honeys—hot honey, vanilla, lavender, and more sourced from local growers—and continue to develop the cosmetic line he introduced last year.
And when he’s not working? You’ll find him in his woodshop building displays for his products or out canoeing and biking Colorado’s trails—a craftsman, beekeeper, and creator at heart. John is bringing his dream to life, building on six generations of experience, a heart full of passion, and a whole lot of bees.
Website: https://www.rockymountainbeeswax.com/
Facebook: @RMBeeswax
Instagram: @RockyMountainBeeswax
Every product the company makes is formulated by John himself, crafted with a “no fluff, no fillers” mindset.