Our Story

Like many things, it all started with a little curiosity. In 2014 beekeeper Julio was working on a big landscape project in his backyard in East Austin. As he toiled away in the summer’s heat, whenever he put his tools down and picked up his head for a moment of respite, he couldn’t help but notice all the bees buzzing around. He watched the swarm and wondered, “What would that honey taste like?”

Julio grew up in Lima, Peru. However, his family hailed from deep within the Andes, in the town of Abancay, 570 miles from Lima. Witnessing how his grandparents lived off the land, growing their own fruits and vegetables, raising animals, and making their own bricks, spurred a deep respect for resourcefulness and a strong desire to follow their way.

Though Julio was now living in urban Austin, little by little, his musing about what was buzzing above his head that fateful summer, become a fascination. He made it his mission to produce honey. He started with one hive and a few beekeeping classes. His hives grew and expanded, and he harvested his first batch of honey in 2015.

In November of 2018 Julio met Kate. The two never imagined to find a match in someone like the other, but quickly they realized they shared common values and goals. They fell in love and three months later, they married with the intention to help each other pursue their every dream.

Kate had no prior experience or knowledge of beekeeping. But she did know some things about marketing. When she mentioned to Julio she could help him get more customers for his bee hives, he was curious. By then, fascination grew to obsession. He felt if there is any occupation in the world he would most enjoy, it was beekeeping. Once Kate realized this, she filed for an LLC.  

Honoring Julio’s Peruvian heritage and the grandparents that taught him to be mindful of nature, the apiary business was named, PachaMama Bees. PachaMama means “Mother Earth” in Quechua, his grandparents’ language, the language of the ancient Incas in Peru. Kate and Julio like to share this tradition with their community in Austin, and hope to pass on respect and appreciation for the earth to the next generation, as well.

Currently enrolled in Texas A&M’s Master Beekeeper Program and the University of Florida Master Beekeeper Program, Julio is in the process of obtaining the “Master Beekeeper” certification to formalize his many years of experience. He welcomes the opportunity to share knowledge in public education and speaking engagements.