Female Beekeeper Spotlight: Melissa Sorokin of Bee Lightful Bees
Professional beekeeper. Educator. Removal specialist. Keeper of both the micro and the macro.
For our first Female Beekeeper Spotlight, we’re honored to feature Melissa Sorokin, founder of Bee Lightful Bees, a professional beekeeper and educator whose journey began not with a business plan, but with a friendship and a name that means “honey bee.”
Some people keep bees. Others are called to them. Nine years later, bees aren’t just part of her work, they are her way of life.
How It All Began
Melissa credits her start to her dear friend Debbie. Both women share names that mean "honey bee": Melissa in Greek and Devorah (Debbie) in Hebrew.
Though Debbie is deathly allergic and couldn’t keep bees herself, she had unused bee boxes and a vision for Melissa.
“She bothered me for a year, and I finally got my first hive. It’s been bees bees bees ever since, and she’s very proud that she started me on this journey.”
What started as encouragement quickly became fascination and then purpose.
What Beekeeping Means to Melissa
“They are my livelihood and my joy,” Melissa says. “They are my endless road of learning.”
Beekeeping has brought her happiness, connection, and meaning, but also challenges.
“No one tells you how emotional it will be.”
Best intentions can go awry. Hives don’t always thrive. And navigating the self-blame can be one of the toughest parts of the journey.
But that emotional depth is part of the calling.
“Bees are also spiritual for me and connect me to nature on a grander scale as well. It’s both the micro and macro, the same as the hive is both individual bees and one giant superorganism simultaneously. Bees are really my way of life.”
For Melissa, bees are not a hobby, they are her superpower.
A Professional in the Field
Today, Melissa is a professional beekeeper and teacher. With nine years of experience, her work includes:
Bee removals
Client hive management
Teaching and presentations
Selling bee products
Apitherapy
A typical hive day means moving between client homes, farm country, and apiary sites, often solo.
“It’s just me most days, so I try not to overdo it and burn out.”
That awareness of sustainability and pacing is part of what makes her work endure.
Women in Beekeeping
Beekeeping may be male-dominated, but Melissa feels empowered in the field.
“It’s so natural for women to tend bees. It’s like second nature.”
Her advice to women starting out?
“Be aware of the emotions of it and try not to take setbacks to heart so strongly. Losing bees is part of the learning process, so please don’t be hard on yourself. It’s ok to make mistakes as you learn. It takes time, patience, learning a lot, and practice. It takes years, so settle in and enjoy the process.”
And what does she wish more people understood about women in the field?
“We are the best beekeepers. We are both strong and intuitive, and feelings of mothering or nurturing hives is not weird or weak, it’s actually normal.”
Strength and intuition are not opposites. In the apiary, they work together.
Melissa’s Experience with Jeometry Beewear™
Melissa first discovered Jeometry™ through the Beekeeping Today podcast.
“I liked the concept and the interview, and when I checked it out, I decided to go for it and splurge on myself. Some things are just worth it.”
After years of wearing traditional gear, the difference was immediate.
When asked how Jeometry Beewear™ compares to other suits she has worn, her answer: “far superior.”
What stands out most:
The single-zipper design
The airflow through the fabric
The secure, flattering fit
Lightweight yet durable construction
Fewer rogue bees finding their way inside
“It’s the first stylish beekeeping suit I’ve ever seen.”
Her suit was even worn in a professional photo and video shoot for an engagement announcement. Melissa described it as “very glamorous.”
And to women considering investing in a beekeeping suit designed specifically for them?
“It's totally worth it to be comfortable, safe, and stylish while beekeeping. This suit was designed for you.”
Why Stories Like Melissa’s Matter
Women like Melissa are reshaping the future of beekeeping.
They are educators.
They are removal specialists.
They are entrepreneurs.
They are intuitive stewards of living super organisms.
And they deserve protective gear built with them in mind.
At Jeometry™, we design beekeeping suits for women that blend safety, breathability, fit, and style because women belong in every apiary, classroom, and field site.
But this spotlight isn’t just about the suit, it’s about Melissa.
Support Melissa’s Work
You can connect with Melissa and support her work at:
Website: https://www.beelightfulbees.com/
Instagram: @beelightfulbees
If you’re in the Miami, Florida area and need hive management, removals, or education, we encourage you to reach out directly to Melissa.
And if you’re curious about the suit she trusts in the field, you can explore Jeometry Beewear™ here: https://jeometrybeewear.com/shop
See Melissa in Action
Melissa doesn’t just tell her story, she shows it. Check out these Instagram Reels where she’s putting her Jeometry™ suit to work in real-world beekeeping:
Sassy bees: “I’ve never felt so confident around spicy, sassy bees.”
Keep out the sting: “@jeometrybeewear has it going on y’all.”
Satisfaction: “For me it’s just a bunch of positives.”
Watching these clips gives a glimpse into her daily work, the precision and care she brings to every hive, and how the suit makes her movement effortless and safe.
Whether you’re a fellow beekeeper or just curious about the work these women do, these Reels capture the magic of combining skill, passion, and the right gear.
The Future of Beekeeping is Female
Our Female Beekeeper Spotlight series is an ongoing monthly feature honoring women shaping the future of beekeeping. Educators, professionals, hobbyists, and visionaries alike.
Because the future of beekeeping isn’t just buzzing.
She’s leading it. 💛
