Smarty Mom: Joanne Young

Smarties, I’m delighted to introduce you to this week’s Smarty Mom, Joanne Young, co-founder of local delish and green product, Cloister Honey. Joanne is mom to Sarah (20) and Dan (18) and has been with her sweetheart, Randall, for eight years. I met Joanne and Randall five years ago when he moved our family with his moving company, Southern Moving. Joanne & Randall were dear friends of our beloved Jen B, they are such a fun couple and are always smiling. They are the kind of people that you just feel good to be around! Randall always seems to have an itch to do yet another fantastic new biz venture, as if he is not busy enough. Enter Cloister Honey. Now Randall is a busy little bee! And Smarties, let me tell ya, this honey is absolutely delectable!


Tell us all about Cloister Honey?
Believe it or not, it started as a Christmas present for Randall about 5 years ago. I ran out of “normal” ideas and remembered a friend’s son kept a hive as a school project. Since Randall (1) loves the outdoors, (2) loves taking care of pets, (3) loves science and (4) isn’t afraid of pain, I thought “why not bees?”. He went to his first bee class in February and was hooked. That first year’s honey went to family, friends and neighbors and the next year, we were asked by a neighbor if they could buy 42 bottles for Christmas presents. A small business was born! We began trying some new flavors earlier this summer and, in addition to traditional honey, we now offer delicious Lemon Whipped and Cinnamon Whipped as well as Vanilla Infused and Arbol Pepper Infused. I’m also working on a few specialty flavors for the fall – but they’re top secret right now.

Cloister Honey will have a presence at Festival in Park. Tell us the skinny!
We’re so excited as this will be our first year at the Festival. We’ll have a booth on the Lake side – with other local artisans – and will have honey to taste and bees to watch. We’re also really excited to launch our partnership with Charlotte Smarty Pants that same weekend (rumor has it that there may be a Smarty pink & green hive!) . Stop by our tent and mention Charlotte Smarty Pants. When you purchase directly, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to LungStrong in Jennifer Bunich’s/Charlotte Smarty Pants honor. This promotion does not have an expiration date – so mention it every single time you purchase Cloister Honey!

Where can a Smarty buy Cloister Honey?
We sell directly from our home (folks can call us directly at 704-517-6190), online, various Farmers Markets like the Green Market and Atherton, and at Green with Envy, Young’s Garden Center and Joseph Beth Booksellers.

OK, let’s learn a little more about you and your favorite digs! What is your favorite family activity?
Kayaking, Skiing and Trivia Games

What is your favorite “me” activity?
Reading

Best book you’ve read lately?
Malcolm Gladwells: Blink, Tipping Point and Outliers

Best movie?
The Hangover and Inglorious Basterds

Favorite lunch spot sans kids?
Cabo Fish Taco

Favorite family-friendly restaurant?
Big Daddy’s
Funniest thing your children have ever said to you?
A (much younger) Sarah asked me help her find her “Polka-dot-hontas” doll (aka Pocahontas)

Best kept secret in Charlotte?
Uptown’s “The Green” Park– really relaxing, fun and a place of peace despite being in the heart of the urban jungle.

What is your favorite thing about raising a family in Charlotte?
The great weather allows us to do so much outside and Charlotte’s Arts environment provides wonderful museums and theater that everyone can enjoy.

Thanks, Joanne! Smarties, make sure you look for the Cloister Honey bees at Festival in the Park next weekend. They will have samples, bees, honey for sale, you name it. Once you try it, you’ll be forever hooked! Support local!!

Register for this week’s Smarty Giveaway!
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Kicks off their 63rd Season!
One lucky family will receive a family 4-pack to a performance of Disney’s Aladdin! To get all the skinny on registering to win, click here!