Where It All Began

Long before I could reach the stove without a stool, I was already obsessed with the kitchen. Whether I was mixing, stirring, or "quality control" tasting, I spent my toddler years glued to the counter. I didn't know it then, but those early days of playing with flavors were the first steps toward building a brand.

Turning Curiosity Into a Craft

Throughout elementary school, I was always the kid with "big energy" and even bigger goals. I’d find ways to turn any idea into a small business, selling things to neighbors and friends. I spent these years experimenting in the kitchen and gaining the confidence to try new recipes.

Cooking Through The Silence

During the 2020 lockdown, I was trying to think of ways I could bring people together when we physically had to be apart, so I launched Cooking Classes for Kids by Kids on Zoom, because what better way to connect people than through food! I ran hundreds of classes for kids all over the world.

Next Hobby

After a year of teaching, I took on another hobby, gardening. So I built a big backyard garden, growing everything from tomatoes to beans. When I had extra produce, as opposed to throwing it out or freezing it, I thought it would be cool to combine my 2 hobbies for cooking and gardening, so I got into canning. I had no idea what I was doing at first, but I fell in love with the hands-on work of making something fresh last.

The Jar That Changed Everything

I took one of my first experimental batches of jam to my grandma’s house. I watched her take that first bite, waiting for the verdict. When she told me it was the best jam she’d ever tasted and insisted I start selling it, the "business" side of my brain clicked into gear. You don't argue with Grandma, if she says it’s a winner, you run with it.

Finding My Voice Behind The Table

So for two years, my weekends started at 5:00 AM, hauling cases to farmers markets across Ohio. Selling jar by jar to thousands of strangers was the ultimate test for my stutter. It forced me to find my voice and realize that people weren't just buying jam—they were buying into my story.

After years at farmers markets, I was ready to take it to the next level, so I launched jambyjoshCLE.com and started shipping my small-batch jars nationwide. It wasn't long before I had customers in 46 different states. Seeing the brand reach that far was a huge reminder that a small idea can grow into something much bigger than you expect.

First Big Break

2025 kicked off with a bang. I spent the first few months competing in—and winning—some of the biggest student business competitions in the country. The dream became real when Miles Farmers Market, a staple in my community, placed my jam on their shelves. Walking into a grocery store and seeing my own label under the bright lights was a moment I’ll never forget. It was the start of a new chapter.

The Big Leagues

I signed with my first major distributor, which allowed me to scale rapidly. Suddenly, my jam wasn't just in one store—it was in 35 locations across Ohio. We were officially moving into the big leagues of retail expansion.

By late 2025, we hit 50 stores total. Even as the pallets grew larger and we began planning for national retailers, the mission stayed the same: small-batch, real fruit, and the same heart that started it all.