Ep 294: Homemade Jam Turned Thriving Business That Spreads Joy - with Allie Jones

The Sweet Journey of Jaml Jams: From a Jar of Jam to a Business That Spreads Joy

In a world where we’re often bombarded with complicated business models and high-tech startup stories, sometimes the most beautiful business journeys come from something simple… like a jar of jam.

In this week’s episode, I had the joy of talking with Allie Jones, the founder of Jaml Jams—and y’all, this story is going to warm your heart and spark so many ideas.

Allie’s love for making jam started way back when she was just six years old, learning alongside her mom in the kitchen. Over the years, jam-making became a tradition, a creative outlet, and a way to connect with others—especially as a military spouse moving from place to place. She made jam using local fruits, gifting jars to friends, neighbors, and the volunteer groups she was part of. It wasn’t just about the jam—it was about sharing joy and building community.

And then… 2020 hit. Like so many of us, Allie was feeling a little lost in the noise of motherhood, marriage, and all the changes happening in the world. She found herself asking, “What do I have in my hand?” That simple question shifted everything. Her answer? Jam. Something she already knew how to do, something she loved, and something people actually wanted.

But here’s what I love most—she didn’t wait for perfect. She didn’t wait to get the website up or design a fancy label. She just posted on her personal Facebook page that she was selling jam. That was it. And guess what? People bought it. Then they told their friends. Some even paid shipping to get it across the country. That little step led to a beautiful ripple effect.

What followed was incredible—but also very natural. She didn’t grow through fancy ads or slick marketing. She grew through connection. Her wholesale partnerships came through real relationships—her husband chatting with a bakery owner, a new friend at a pretzel class, or loyal customers spreading the word. That organic growth? That’s the magic that happens when you’re showing up genuinely and letting your product speak for itself.

Oh—and did I mention she started all this with two babies at home? Yep. Her kids were just 15 months and three years old when she launched Jaml Jams. She worked after bedtime. She chose something that made sense for her life and used the skills she already had. This wasn’t about burnout hustle—it was about building something beautiful that worked with her season of life.

Eventually, when the demand outgrew what she could make in her home kitchen (six jars at a time!), she transitioned to a commercial kitchen where she could make 45 at a time—bringing back the joy in the process and creating healthy boundaries between work and home.

Fast forward to today, Jaml Jams is partnering with major companies like Walmart and Tyson Foods, with plans to grow even more. But what makes me love this story even more is the heart behind the business. As Allie says, “Our jars are giving jars.” A portion of proceeds go to organizations doing meaningful work—including a recent kitchen sponsorship for a home supporting teen moms and their babies.

Allie’s mission is to “spread joy to the world around us by creating flavorful edible products with lagniappe (a little something extra) so that we ignite a culture of care, leaving people better than we find them.”

Yes, yes, YES.

Her story is such a powerful reminder: You don’t need a fancy business plan to get started. You don’t need perfect branding or a giant audience. You just need to start with what you already have—right in your hands.

In Allie’s words:
“The same amount of time is going to pass... next year is going to be here, and so you might as well go ahead and start this year with whatever it is that you're wanting to do.”

You’re going to love this episode.
It’s sweet. It’s real. And it just might be the nudge you need.
xoxo,
Kimberly

Get plugged in with Allie & Jaml Jams:
www.jamljams.com 

http://instagram.com/jamljams

https://www.facebook.com/jamljams