In 2014, I needed to do something new. As a child, my Scottish grandmother had taught me to make jam, and I'd continued making jams for friends and family as an adult. "Why not start a little jam business?" I thought. Why not, indeed. The State of California had started a new program - Cottage Food Operators - where certain foods could be prepared in home kitchens and sold to the general public. Mountains of paperwork later, I set up a card table in my front yard and sold my jams to neighbors passing by. In 2015, I expanded into my garage. Another year went by with many mistakes and bumps as I began the wholesale road. Business improved and my husband and I bought a 1930's cottage and remodeled it into a commercial kitchen and retail store. After surviving COVID, my store is still open and featuring my jams, unique Sonoma County small artisan food makers' products, and local gift items.