I guess that makes sense then as to why she thought you were closing due to Covid. We are small enough (I would consider us hobby or just above hobby) I make very little actual profit at this everything I make goes right back into it with more equipment and upgrades.

Its self supporting as far as that is concerned. We (my wife and I ) have our real jobs that pay for the house, car payments, college tuition etc etc etc. (probably need some more etc's there) but She has her art and I have my maple and bees.

Actually Bees are a little more profitable than maple as it doesn't require so much equipment just getting the bees to over winter is the biggest problem. if not then you have to buy more bees in the spring. I bought 4 more packages of bees $550 and need to buy more containers probably $300. but already spent $600 for glass and containers at sunnyside, $200 in supplies at Bascom's so far. Will need DE, new taps for next season Etc Etc Etc. But the one thing is that I could consider it all an investment because the retail value of the equipment I have doesn't go down that much anymore for the smaller producer. As long as I take care of everything. I think I could actually make money on my evaporator if I sold it tomorrow. I bought it for $3300 11 years ago and could easily get $5000 for it today.