Jake Mahoney, CEO and Co-Founder of The Halifax Honey Company, knows what it means to build something from the ground up. What began in a small East Coast kitchen back in 2016 has grown into one of Canada’s fastest-growing hot honey brands, with their signature Stingin’ Hot Honey — made with premium Canadian wildflower honey and real chilli peppers — now showing up in restaurants, grocery stores, and kitchens across the country.
What is your business called and what does it do?
The Halifax Honey Company is a Nova Scotia-based Honey company specializing in premium hot honey and honey-based products. We create products like our signature Stingin’ Hot Honey using Canadian wildflower honey infused with real chili peppers. What started in a tiny East Coast kitchen has grown into one of Canada’s fastest-growing hot honey brands, now found in restaurants, grocery stores, cafés, and kitchens across the country.
What made you want to do this work?
Honestly, it started from a love of food, creativity, and building something of our own. Back in 2016, hot honey didn’t exist in Canada the way it does now. We saw an opportunity to create something premium, versatile, and exciting that could elevate everyday meals.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
We wanted to build a product that creates that “first bite moment” where someone immediately says, “Whoa… what is this?” We also wanted to prove that a small East Coast brand could compete nationally while staying true to its roots
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Our customers are incredibly diverse. We have foodies, home cooks, pizza lovers, BBQ fans, chefs, health-conscious shoppers, and people who simply love discovering unique local products. Our audience ranges from university students all the way to families and gourmet food enthusiasts. If someone enjoys flavour and trying something new, there’s a good chance they’ll love our hot honey.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We sell our products through a mix of retail stores, grocery chains, restaurants, cafés, online orders, Amazon, and farmers’ markets. We also collaborate with local businesses, events, and brands on unique experiences and limited-edition launches. At the core of it all, we focus on creating products people genuinely get excited to share here in Nova Scotia.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
We are located at 12-275 Rocky Lake Drive, and you can find Halifax Honey products throughout Halifax and across Atlantic Canada in grocery stores, restaurants, cafés, specialty food shops, farmers’ markets, and local events. We’re proudly based in Nova Scotia and love being part of the local food community.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Question: “What makes your Hot Honey different from everyone else’s?”
Answer: For us, it comes down to quality and authenticity. We use premium Canadian wildflower honey and real pickled chilies. Our focus is heavily on creating balanced flavour instead of just heat. We’re a family-run East Coast company that genuinely cares about every bottle that leaves our kitchen. People can feel the difference when they try it.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part is seeing people experience the product for the first time. Watching someone taste our hot honey and instantly light up never gets old. We also love building something that represents Nova Scotia on a national level.
The hardest part is probably balancing growth and cash flow while running a small business means wearing a hundred hats at once, but it’s all part of the journey.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
“We spend all day trying to create a buzz.”
(And yes… we’ve heard every bee joke imaginable.)
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Website
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
Nova Scotia has an unbelievable community of local makers, food creators, and small businesses that inspire us every day. We can’t pick just one!
-Rudi’s Hot Sauce
-The Kilted Chef
-Cafe Lara
-Good Robot Brewing
-All Halifax Seaport Market vendors
