Humble Beginnings

Humble hails from an intertwining family line embedded with self-taught apiarists which is a fancy word for a beekeeper. 

But we do so much more than ‘keep’ bees. In fact, some might say that the bees keep us, and have for over 45 years, across three generations and two families that have now become one. 

Together, we’ve mastered the skill of harvesting insatiable honey that is as 100% raw, unfiltered, unheated, and unprocessed as selo (village) life in Mrenoga, Macedonia - our tiny mountain community and original family nest. 

We’ve brought the art of the apiary and our passion for the world’s most important pollinators untainted, all the way from rolling hills and crisp air of Mrenonga to the urban landscape of Sydney, where our hives now thrive, far and wide. 

Know where your honey comes from. 

This is our story.

The History of Our Humble Hive

MEET DEDO BLAGOJA

Maternal grandfather | pronounced Bla-go-ya

Dedo Blagoja’s self-taught passion for beekeeping began in the early 1970's as the very first apiarist in the village of Mrenoga, Macedonia.

Gifted in calmness, Blagoja would handle his hives with no gloves yet was rarely stung, carrying an innate ability to keep swarms docile with a mutual patience, trust, and unspoken communication that cannot be taught.

The time and care he poured into his hardworking bees afforded him the sweetest liquid gold to be sold near and far; a most rewarding pastime; a unique side hustle turned business; and today - an important piece of history in the continuing story that is our Humble family legacy.

MEET BABA MILICA

Maternal grandmother | pronounced Mi-li-tsa

Baba Milica learnt the delicate art of beekeeping from her husband, assisting him in harvesting their precious honey, and passing these noble skills down to their daughter Lidija who showed an interest in the family passion from an early age.

Baba Milica’s dedication to her husband’s hives and daughter Lidija’s knowledge of beekeeping helped shape the future, and today’s queen bee matriarch of Humble.

MEET DEDO Vojislav

Paternal grandfather | pronounced Voy-i-slav

Dedo Vojislav’s fulfilling beekeeping journey began alongside his hopeful migration to Australia thirty years ago. Coincidentally - or perhaps fatefully - he too came from the tiny village of Mrenoga in Macedonia.

Vojislav was drawn into the world of beekeeping through friends and their hobby farms in Sydney, joining beekeeping associations with his son Aco to both learn the art of the apiary and grow their avid harvesting skills.

Vojislav’s humble beginnings with honey started with selling to family and friends at the local pension club, lending him the nickname “the honey guy”, with his growing number of hives eventually spanning across a number of properties.

We have Dedo Vojislav’s humble passion to thank for what is today Humble - The Urban Hive.

MEET LIDIJA | CO-FOUNDER

Daughter of Blagoja, wife of Aco, daughter-in-law of Vojislav | pronounced Lid-i-ya

The most fearless of the family beekeepers, Lidija is a second-generation apiarist and matriarch, the queen bee who keeps her family connected and their hive thriving.

Raised in Mrenoga, Lidija learned beekeeping from her parents, Dedo Blagoja and Baba Milica. In 1993, she left the village with her husband Aco and their two children in search of a new life in Australia.

Years later, she was drawn back to her beekeeping roots alongside Aco and her father-in-law, Dedo Vojislav. Together, they revived the family craft and helped build what is now known as Humble the Urban Hive.

Gifted with her father Blagoja’s calm, Lidija tends to the bees with deep care and respect, guided by the nurturing instinct of a mother.

MEET ACO | CO-FOUNDER

Son of Vojislav, husband of Lidija | pronounced A-tso

The only child of Dedo Vojislav, Aco is our other second generation apiarist, alongside his wife Lidija.

Aco learned the art of the apiary through his father and father in law, and is known for his more placid approach to working with the bees as arguably the most timid member of our beekeeping family.

A very hard working and knowledgeable apiarist, his passion lies very much in the honey rather than the apiary itself, and we often joke that his super skill is eating it.

Truth be told, his unmatched palate can detect vast and varied flavour profiles with a kind of pinpoint accuracy and depth that make him a simply undoubted, sweet-toothed honey connoisseur and Co-founder of Humble - The Urban Hive with his daughter Biljana.

MEET BILJANA | CO-FOUNDER

Daughter of Aco and Lidija | pronounced Bil-ya-na

Representing the third generation of our family’s art, Biljana brings every element of Humble together. From beekeeping and processing, to jarring and packaging, she’s our brand’s sweet voice, family feel, and personal historian - wearing every hat possible to bring the honey from our apiary to your pantry.

Pouring her soul into the business, Humble is Biljana’s vision of documenting a family legacy to be continued, and is expanding on our zero waste philosophy to produce beeswax pillar candles from the leftover byproducts of honey harvesting.

Biljana is also a mother to two beautiful kids who may just be our fourth generation, budding beekeeper.

MEET CHARBEL | CO-FOUNDER

Husband of Biljana and beloved Son in law of Aco and Lidija

“THE ROMANTIC ROASTER”

It all started with a coffee and a smile. Charbel the passionate barista, Biljana the starry-eyed customer. Just as the warmth and comfort of coffee is a symbol of togetherness and connection for all, these two lovebirds found each other serendipitously over cups of coffee that evolved into familiarity, friendship, and eventually a lifelong bond of love.

Humble Burn

Humble Burn is the byproduct born from our commitment to maintaining a zero waste and sustainable apiary of happy bees.

We don’t waste our bees’ hard work, and respect all that they provide us with.

Our 100% premium Australian beeswax candles are hand crafted in our Sydney studio, with enchanting dinner tapers, festive, themed and fun designs that will elevate any tablescape.

Humble Roast

Before there was honey, there was coffee. We know we’re not alone when we express our appreciation for the powerful bonding tool that coffee is.

A love language of its own, coffee is a conveyer of love, affection, and gratitude in all their myriad forms. From the ritual of togetherness to the comfort of solace or the joy of celebration, coffee speaks to our hearts in ways that words alone cannot.

Our Humble family story started with a coffee - or many.

A Note on Our Bees

Varroa mite has devastated honeybee populations across NSW, including our own.

Over the past year, we lost more than 75% of our hives. Despite this, we remain committed to producing 100% raw, unfiltered honey and rebuilding our apiary with care and integrity.

100% of honey sales go directly toward sustaining and restoring our hives. When you choose Humble, you’re helping protect the future of Australian bees.

Our Humble Philosophy on Sustainability

We believe you can’t be Humble without love and respect for the planet and all living things.
That’s why we work with natural materials, thoughtful production, and a low-waste approach designed for long-term use.

Discover The Humble Way

Seasonal updates and stories from behind the scenes.

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