Catch the BUZZZZ...................
Hello we are RB&K Enterprises, INC. – doing business as Bud’s Original. RB&K stands for our family names: “R” for Rutledge, “B” for Barnes and “K" for kids, including all generations to come. I'm Emily Rutledge and I want to tell you a little about my family and how we got started selling Honey Butter.
Bud’s Original the company was started in 2004 years ago as a way to diversify our family’s Beekeeping Business and to turn a hobby and a product, which we used to give away, into a functioning successful family business selling gourmet Honey products.
Currently we sell our family’s Flavored Honey Butter Spread and have plans to branch out into offering: Honey Mustards, Spiced Honey Butter, Honey BBQ Sauce, and Beeswax Candles.
We like to keep about 20 flavors at all times. We retire less popular flavors to make room for 2-3 new ones each year. Our current flavors are; Cinnamon, Apple Cinnamon, Pumpkin Spice, Maple, Cran-Raz, Blackberry, Original, Amaretto, Orange, Eggnog, Garlic and Herb, Red Pepper, Amaretto Cheesecake, Plain Cheesecake, Raspberry Cheesecake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Coffee Cheesecake, and Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake. We are currently working on a few new flavors that are Spiced and other Herbed Honey Butter.
Behind every product or company there is a story, Bud’s Original is no different. It all started back in 1917 when Great Grandpa Barnes decided to try his hand at beekeeping. Not only did he provide for his family, but he became well known in the Beekeeping world and would give speeches across the country for the National Honey Board.
As time went by Grandpa Barnes continued to build his business and began teaching my Grandma and Grandpa the ropes. That’s all it took to start the beekeeping itch in my family, which has lasted for generations, as I am the fourth in what I hope to be a long line of Honey Fanatics.
It seems like our family has always made Honey Butter. My grandparents used to make it for home use and to give away to friends and family. When us kids were in Elementary School my mother was talking to my grandparents about gifts to give her employees on nurse’s day and what we could give our teachers for Christmas. My grandpa suggested he whip up some cinnamon flavored Honey Butter and put it in a nice little container for them. Ever since people started asking for that “Bud Butter” named after my Grandpa, Everett “Bud” Rutledge. It was known as “Bud Butter” for the next 10 years and my grandpa only offered about 3 flavors, always giving it away.
Finally, we decided to try selling our “Bud Butter” at a craft shows. Ever since that first show, we saw an amazing response that was not just our local hometown residents wanting to order but others customers who wanted to know if it came in a variety of flavors, how could they get more, and was it available in stores? It just went on and on. Eventually Bud’s Original Honey Butter was born. We took a hobby/giveaway product and turned it into a gourmet food item and gift. We have have never looked back!
At the same as we began thinking about selling our Honey Butter at craft shows, our Beekeeping business was feeling the effects of the economy. Like most farmers, beekeepers have been affected by Mother Nature, technology, insect diseases, and big business imports. Three years ago our family was at a cross roads for our future. We decided to sell off the majority of our Honey production business and focused on our local beehives and diversified our business by creating products we could make with local Nebraska Honey.
This move has paid off for our family in many ways. Gone is the stress of normal beekeeping – replaced with excitement and determination while we now focus on creating and selling the best honey products available.
My family is responsible for everything that goes on at Bud’s Original. We all work full time jobs outside of our family business. We work on Bud’s Original in our spare time and on the weekends. Everyone does a little bit of everything!
Please take some time to explore our website and place your order! Join our e-mail list, facebook page or e-mail with comments, ideas, etc. We love to hear from our customers!
- Emily Rutledge
Back Row: Grant Rutledge, Paige and Kyle Pecena,
Mike and Deb Rutledge, Emily Rutledge
Front Row: Everette "Bud" and Virginia Rutledge
