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I wanted to share this wonderful look at Burt’s Buzz, a documentary about Burt Shavitz, the co-founder and face of Burt’s Bees. The film explores his down-to-earth personality and his love for living simply — often in small cabins and tiny houses surrounded by nature.
Even after helping build one of the most recognizable natural brands in the world, Burt chose to live a quiet, humble life in rural Maine. His story reminds us that happiness doesn’t always come from success or wealth — sometimes it’s found in solitude, simplicity, and connection with nature.
Sadly, Burt passed away in 2015 at the age of 80, but his philosophy and legacy continue to inspire people around the world to live more authentically and sustainably.
You can watch the documentary trailer below:
Creator of Burt’s Bees Tiny Home
I think you’ll enjoy watching the trailer video below:
Highlights
- “Burt’s Buzz” is a documentary about Burt’s Bees and its creator, Burt Shavitz.
- Burt Shavitz is known for living a simple life in tiny houses.
- The documentary explores themes of simplicity and minimalism.
- Burt’s philosophy: “A good day is when no one shows up,” reflects his love for solitude.
- The film is available for rental or purchase on Amazon and is in select theaters.
“A good day is when no one shows up. And you don’t have to go anywhere.” – Burt Shavitz
Learn more
If you enjoyed how this simple living success story you’ll LOVE our Free Daily Tiny Housing Newsletter with even more!
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Alex
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I’ve been a fan of Burt’s Bee’s products for ages. Nice to know that there’s a ‘Burt’ & ‘Bee’s’ behind the corporate logo. 😀
I grew up in the Northwood’s of Minnesota with a whole slew of these types of fellas. When they came into town, both the farmers and the townies would look at these men with a mixture of sadness and awe. Sadness in that they came across as feral humans: just barely on the fringes of society with frayed clothes, disheveled beards (ALWAYS!) and most with the inability to look you in the eye. We’d see them in Spring and Autumn: Spring for seeds and sundries such as sugar, molasses, and cornmeal, and then in Autumn to sell their crop. They were the inspiration for Garrison Keillor’s “Bachelor Farmer’s”, who preferred “living wild” by themselves in a small shack on the family farm.
The “awe” came about by their survival skills and being an iconoclastic remnant of archetypal mankind: needing only themselves and an occasional tool, they were content with what went on within their heads. Some had “Lady Friends” in town, some didn’t. And the Lutheran Church Ladies had long ago given up any hope of ‘civilizing’ them, instead, they’d just drop off some fresh mulberry jam and biscuits at their tiny dwelling, as they quietly slipped away as to not disturb their hermit lifestyle.
I’m curious as to why he hates his past lover so much. Because she didn’t want his lifestyle, permanently? Or, was he less hermit-like when they met and she refused to “go there”, in the end. Regardless, he’s happy with his bee’s, hound dog, truck and tiny home…not bothering a soul. Blessings sent off to him; I’m glad he found his peace.
I recommend the movie. Answers your questions.
He dislikes her because of this:
http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/the-back-story-behind-burts-bees-it-sold-out-years-ago.html
It’s easy to start having harsh feelings. I’m fighting the same battle with my wife right now. We currently live in an apartment but we have land that I could build on right now and live mortgage free. But she won’t leave the city. She’s also against downsizing as well. I didn’t have quite this extreme philosophy of living when we got together to be fair, but my years working renovation in very expensive luxury houses has led me to want less and pay less. Sadly some people cannot be broken out of the mold that society has made where housing means status and spending money is your duty.
I’ve been enjoying your comments ever since I started subscribing to tinyhousetalk. Now I find out you’re a fellow Minnesota native! I think I’ll enjoy your comments even more from now on!
Peggie
While loads of people love his product, as someone who lives 20 minutes away from him, his cabin might be nice, but he’s an asshole. He puts on a good show. Also his products still contain soy which is debatable in terms of it’s being all natural/ or safe. While just about every packaged food product contains it, soy has been shown to cause infertility in animals who consume it regularly. His products would be better with out it. Also the price point is outrageous. Cute house though.
Do you realize he is not involved with the production or the company? Have you seen the movie?
That’s some pretty strong language for a family friendly website. You can express your opinions without the vulgarity.
I’m pleased to let Burt be Burt. Thanks Burt for Burt’s Bees I use the lip balm every day! Very nice. Cahow, maybe “she” was the upwardly mobile type and so when he got successful she was happy to keep going and he was happy to stay where he was is all. To each their own. Who knows they could still be friends. 🙂 lets hope so. tc, GOD bless, Happy trails!
I hope this will inspire Tiny House fans to work together toward making Tiny Houses accepted everywhere, not just “off the grid.”
Does anybody know the size of his house? I love it,but i’d never heard of him, just wanted to know if it’s the approximately, for general purposes, a one I’m looking at to go live in the tiny house craze, if so please let me know asap,blessings to all,
Gina~
Love the Burt story and cabin! Thanks for the insights Cahow!
Clorox bought out Burts Bees years ago
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/burts-bees-toms-of-maine-green-products_n_1438019.html
I highly doubt its anything like the homegrown product it used to be.. I used it for years.. and about 2009 it started to chage texture, smell etc.. so I stopped using it..
I don’t think this is the place to make negative personal comments about an individual when this site is supposed to be about that individual’s tiny or small house. I would have liked to see the inside; the outside of the little cabin is very cute. Love the shingles and the setting of the house.
I “met” Bert while viewing an excellent documentary about him on Netflix. He is unique and interesting to listen to. How wonderful that his products are available to all because they are all natural. We are fortunate indeed that he cared enough to share his products with us. He lives the way, I think, most of us would like to. I know I would! Keep on keeping on Bert!
Iirc, the house is pretty cluttered, showing that not all small homes are as organized as a ship cabin
“The magic of living life for me is, and always has been, the magic of living on the land, not in the magic of money.” – Burt Chavez
That is truly what tiny house and small house living is supposed to be about. Kudos to you Burt Chavez, your tiny home, green living & a love for the things in life that are free. Thank GOD!!
I see this was written in 2014. Burt died at the age of 80 in July of 2015. It as his partner who really profited hugely from the business.
The company’s history is here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt%27s_Bees
For those who have not heard, Burt Shavitz passed away on July 5, 2015, at age 80.
Another site that I’ve enjoyed for years is Randy Cassingham’s “This is True”. One of his newsletter’s features is, as he puts it, the “Honorary Unsubscribe”, in which he pays tribute to people who have affected our lives but whose passing the mainstream media would ignore. Here’s the link to his article on Burt Shavitz: http://www.honoraryunsubscribe.com/burt_shavitz.html.
Unfortunately, our Burt, of Burt’s Bees passed away in July 2015 at the age of 80. May he rest in peace.
Too bad that Burt’s Bees sold out to Clorox about a year ago.
Is a tenacious man, that a wonderful nation like America, he has been able to exploit. Maximum Respect for the Humilityof the Great.
He died. Could y9u please stop posting old articles.
Thank you for letting us know, Diana. 🙏 I wasn’t aware of that — I’ll update the article to reflect it. We always appreciate readers helping keep information current and respectful.