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 I bought a 1920's cottage and remodeled it into a commercial kitchen and retail store. And now 12 years later, my store is still open and featuring my jams, unique Sonoma County small artisan food makers' products, and local gift items.