The Maiola's moved from Sydney and bought Mudgee Honey Haven which, through a lot of hard work, they have turned into a flourishing operation.
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Mudgee Honey Haven now welcomes a large number of customers through it's doors every day, a fact Mr Maiola is very proud of.
"When we first bought the business we could see the potential but were still taking a bit of a risk by leaving North Manly to run a honey shop," he said.
"But with the help of our in-laws and our children, we turned the business from one which was not very busy to one which is busy every day.
"Honey has always been a commodity on the shopping list.
"It does not have an expiry date and is great for healing.
"Honey has natural antibiotics and enzymes, is good on wounds but most importantly it tastes great!"
Mudgee Honey Haven is situated on two and a half hectares just outside of the Central West town, where they welcome a strong tourism crowd as well as bottle their honey products.
The on-site factory employs between eight and 10 people at any given time, bottling their wide range of honey products, with more locals employed in the store as well.
Mudgee Honey Haven sources it's honey from their 850 hives scattered across the state, employing full-time beekeepers to maintain quality.
They also use sub-contractors to help supply the 1000 tonnes of honey they require each year.
"We sell a lot of various products, including jars of different flavoured honey," Mr Maiola said.
"Some of the flavours include Ginger Honey, Cinnamon Honey, Chilli Honey, Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey, Lemon Honey, Eucalyptus Honey, Organic Raw Honey, Australian Manuka Honey and New Zealand Manuka Honey.
"Our Organic Manuka Honey has been harvested from some of Australia's most remote places, known for its clean and green environment.
"This honey is harvested and sourced from the nectar of the manuka flower (Leptospermum) that is native to Australia.
"We are slowly educating people, both in nationally and internationally that Australian Manuka honey can be a step above the rest.
"We also sell mead, honeycomb, honey ice cream, BEEcare skin products, honey cakes, candles, as well as housewares among other things."
On top of Mudgee Honey Haven, the Maiola's operate Honey Australia - the export arm of their business.
They export products to the US, Singapore, China, Taiwan and the UK.
"Honey Haven is our retail business, supplying Australian businesses, as well as focusing on tourism," Mr Maiola said.
"Honey Australia is more wholesale and export."
While there is interest from international clients in exporting their skincare range, the Maiola's are also looking to continue the growth of Mudgee Honey Haven.
"We are going to host theme nights once a month using only specific dishes using honey for 40 to 50 people," Mr Maiola said.
"The local tourism board has done a great job promoting the region and we want to continue to make the most of that."
