My name is Alex Wikstrom. If you are taking the time to read this biography of me, then you are wanting to know who I am, what I stand for, and what my end goals are. That is understandable, especially if you are looking to offer me assistance via financial aid or other means. I am working to get certified as a Master Melittologist through Oregon State University and get my Conservation Biology Degree through Skagit Valley College.

 

My beginnings

I grew up in a typical household in California. However, my dad was gone a lot; because he was a branch manager for a massive pest control company. I grew up learning about bugs from him. I learned to really like them. I was always in the dirt and putting bugs in my pockets. Not surprisingly though, I grew to have no desire to be in the pest control field. I found it boring and monotonous. So I vowed to never get into the business. However, life had other plans. My dad started a small company doing pest control and had me tag along. I helped him out of respect, but I didn't like it.

 

3 years into his business, the economy crashed in 2008, and we ended up moving to Washington State. I was 17 years of age at the time. I spent my senior years of high school online. So, I was still able to graduate in California.

 

After I graduated high school, I was encouraged to attend college and get some form of education to help in supporting myself. I ended up getting my Associates Degree in Applied Sciences of Drafting and Design Technology through ITT-Tech (which no longer exists). My Capstone (AKA: Final Project) was designing a pond that could be used in sky rises for beauty and food production via Hydroponics. So it’s obvious I loved nature at a very young age, and had the desire to find ways to incorporate nature into daily living. But that desire did not yet get fulfilled.

 

After graduation from college, I got a job at a company out of Everett, WA. I worked there for 8 months. Then, I was laid off because of a massive bid they lost. I was at a loss as to what to do and was about to get married. So, I was desperate and got a job at an aerospace company in Arlington, WA. I hated it. Working in a warehouse all day made me crazy. I was a big nature lover, so having to grind away at packaging airplane parts made me very depressed. After a year of working there I quit. I then got a job at a plant nursery in Mount Vernon, WA. That did not last long because I sucked at the job. So, I was fired. Although the owner was a jerk…just saying.

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After that fiasco, I was able to secure a Job at a merchandising company selling fertilizers for lawns and gardens. I did this for 7 years. However, every September, I would get laid off naturally because of the season. So, in the winter I would substitute my income for other temporary jobs. Season after season I was hired, then fired.​

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During these years, I tried getting back into the drafting and design field, but because of my limited experience, all the firms wanted 3-5 years experience. I became increasingly frustrated with the system. I had the degree, but no one was willing to give me the experience. I eventually realized drafting was not my passion, so, after dozens of interviews, I decided to go down a different career path; The one my father had been doing for years... Pest Control.

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I was able to get a job at the place he worked. I was in this field for about 2 and half years. My passion for bugs and science began revitalizing. I really started noticing how amazing wasps and bees were. I fell hard in love with Bees and Wasps. But something was missing. I didn't like how most companies did pest control. All they did is sell, kill, repeat. they had no desire for education and harmony in their services. It felt very empty.

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Finding My Passions

One day on a Yellow Jacket Treatment, a customer told me that she knew a friend that removes Yellow Jackets with a vacuum for a living. I was intrigued, I had to know more. So, I did my research. I found out that a number of individuals remove wasps from people homes and use them for Immunotherapy throughout the country.

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I decided to make a business model out of this. After a few years of planning, I opened my door on March of 2020. But covid-19 hit, so I had to pause until 2021. My first season was great! I learned so much during my first year of business. I bought so many books of Social Wasps and was reading them almost every day. My knowledge began growing and ever expanding.

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During my second season, I began gaining much interest in bees as well. But mainly solitary bee and bumble bees. So, just as I had learned about wasps, I was doing the same thing with bees. But the maturity of my ideas for a business and an organization for native bees didn't come into existence until my 3rd season. I started developing a plan to help our native bees through business.

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Creating Bee Habitable

I was intrigued with the bees. I learned of the struggle they are facing, due to habitat loss and some other factors. Scientists have made huge advancements in understanding bumble bees and other native bees. But they sometimes really lack the ability to use this research and data into a practical action based platform. I believe in universities, college education, and Non-Profit organizations. But I Also believe they have massive gaps in their education models and performance abilities. Many times they get stunted by lack of funding, or support. I began to realize that these systems don't completely satisfy the needs of our Agriculture nor the Public.

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I believe not enough energy is being put into business as a solution for conservation needs. If a business has altruistic views, they can do much good for the environment.

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This is why I have created Bee Habitable. I believe this company will be the pioneer into the Native Bee Pollination Market to help save our native bees!

 

I plan this company to work like this...Read chart ("Summary Compendium of Future Business Development") and ("Summary Compendium of Future Non-Profit Organization")

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At this moment, all my ideas are still in their infancy. I am doing this on my own with the occasional help of my wife and family. I am in collaboration with a professor from Skagit Valley College names Bob Gillespie and a Melittologist from Oregon to help me develop my ideas.​​