It took Natalie Shave just one conversation to spark her passion for bees, which led to a career change, an interstate move and a new business as a primary producer.

In 2018, Natalie was working in finance and living in her hometown of Brisbane alongside her engineer husband Joel when Natalie’s client mentioned his bee pollination business. Intrigued, Natalie asked more.

“What followed was an hour-long conversation about bees,” Natalie laughs. “I was fascinated. That night, I went home and joined Brisbane’s Northside Beekeeping Club.”
Attending meetings and scouring YouTube, Natalie sourced her first bee hive for her backyard – which quickly grew to twenty hives. Natalie and Joel learned about the intricate process of beekeeping, hive management and harvesting honey. This hands-on experience was invaluable in their journey.

“We were producing honey for our family and friends, but we both felt a natural calling to get more involved in the industry. The bees became the gateway to the country lifestyle we both dreamed of.”

In 2021, after the birth of their second child, the Shave family took a giant leap of faith. Drawn to the Riverina region in NSW, Natalie and Joel moved to Coolamon, 40 minutes outside Wagga Wagga, to a house unseen, their young daughters in tow, then four years old and four months old. The transition was not without its challenges, from adjusting to a new community, to managing a growing business and a young family.

Eschewing corporate life, Natalie and Joel made bees their business—bootstrapping a new future for their family alongside 300 hives and their 100% natural honey. Waggle & Round was born and named for the intricate dance bees perform in the hive to describe the location of nectar sources outside the hive.

The resulting pure natural honey bursts with the local trees and flora within the Riverina. Waggle & Round’s honey is not just any honey, it's golden and coppery, with robust, earthy sweetness brimming with the flavours of the Aussie bush. Its unique taste and quality have made it a favourite among locals and beyond.

Natalie and Joel also work with local farmers, transporting their bees to help pollinate various agricultural enterprises. This crucial service not only supports local farmers but also contributes to the sustainability of agriculture, as bees play a vital role in pollination, which is essential for the growth of many crops.

“It’s a magical experience watching the summer harvest. We’re so passionate about protecting the extraordinary ecosystem of bees,” Joel says. “We love sharing the abundance of our bees and seeing others enjoy our delicious honey.” Looking ahead, Natalie and Joel have ambitious plans for Waggle & Round, including expanding their product line and reaching more customers who appreciate the value of sustainable, locally sourced honey.