Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan Hogrewe.
Hi Jan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story of how I started Just Jan’s began when the little fig tree planted in my backyard produced so many figs one summer I had no choice but to make lemons out of lemonade. After many years in the film industry producing behind the scenes for DVDs (amongst other fun, creative projects), I no longer felt the spark I once did. The figs brought me back to childhood summers at the farm in Hanford, CA, where I learned the art of jam-making with Grace, a woman who was like a grandma to me, and her daughter, Yvonne. Although I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next in my career, I knew I was ready to dive into something completely different. I was drawn back to the kitchen. Over the next few years, while continuing my day job in the film industry, I began moonlighting as a chef and mad scientist, tinkering and toiling with recipe after recipe. I soon made so much jam I was giving it away to friends as gifts, or bringing it to wine and cheese parties.
Until one day, I was introduced to someone in the food industry who posed a simple question that would change my life forever: “Have you ever considered doing this for a living?” Something in me immediately sparked. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that this was it for me, this was the next thing I was meant to do. Although I didn’t know what I didn’t know, I went back to the kitchen and perfected my fig jam recipe, created other flavors, cracked open every book I could find on starting a small food business, and began planning the next chapter in my life. I met with fruit growers in central California, spent a day with a food scientist and asked a million and one questions. One day while at lunch in downtown Los Angeles – a woman at the next table overheard our conversation and asked if we were in the food business and what were our products. She said she was a buyer for a nationwide chain and was interested in meeting to discuss my jams and jellies. We exchanged information and met two weeks later for a 5-hour meeting. I brought all my samples – she tasted everything and said she’d wait until I was ready (in jars for sale) and would launch my products nationwide.
One year almost to the date – I was ready and she kept her word and Just Jan’s could be found in Home Goods. That was in May of 2012. A year and a half later I was introduced to Williams-Sonoma, submitted my Meyer Lemon Curd for consideration and got a call a few weeks later asking if I would make 3 flavors for them. WOW, another pinch me moment. It was time to ask for some much-needed help. That’s where my friend and one of my original taste testers, Kris Mason comes in. I asked and he said yes and things have only grown from there. This past May we have celebrated 10 years in Just Jan’s, we have created new products, Kris created an award-winning Tangerine Sriracha and Just Jan’s is featured in some 5-star hotels. We continue to make products for major retailers, have a loyal following and just launched our cream scone side of Just Jan’s. Sky’s the limit and we are so grateful!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth especially during the past few years. We’ve had financial struggles, pandemic-related struggles and not being able to get certain fruit and other ingredients. Costs of pretty much everything have gone up and are scarce at times. Many aspects of getting a recipe/formula across the finish line of the processes are taking much longer and the hurdles are not just ours but the companies we rely on. That said – we have navigated through it all and continue to do so, growing stronger and are hopeful for the future!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Just Jan’s?
Just Jan’s is an artisanal gourmet fruit spread and hot sauce company. I started it quite by accident with my fig jam which I was giving to friends and family, when I met someone in the food business who liked it so much he asked if I’d be interested in doing this for a living and I said YES! I immediately started working on other jam recipes with a variety of fruit and jumped in with both feet. My mission was to learn everything I could about the food industry and meeting with fruit growers, food scientists and co-packers who could make my recipes. Today we have a full line of fruit spreads, marmalades and curds. As well as an award-winning Tangerine Sriracha created by Kris Mason (now my partner) who joined me along this journey eight years ago. All the recipes start in my kitchen, then when I get them just right they are sent to a co-packer who scales the recipes up and makes larger batches by hand. I would say one of the things I most appreciate and was completely unexpected is when someone tastes one of my fruit spreads and says it reminds them of something their mom or grandmother used to make. Bringing back a happy childhood memory through my food is such a great feeling. It’s indescribable really. We continue to have a fantastic following of customers who continue to cheer us along the way.
We are coming up on our 11 years anniversary and sell both direct to consumers and retailers. We attend art fairs and other events both charitable and for-profit to spread the word. Our products used the freshest ingredients, no preservatives and made by hand in small batches. We like to create recipes using our products so no fruit spread goes to waste and it adds just a little extra something to a favorite recipe.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We are happy to work with local companies on gifting and have any of our products included in baskets. People can order from our website www.justjans.com or visit a local Bristol Farms and pick up a jar. If you have a favorite gourmet shop you think would be a good fit for us – mention it to them and we’re happy to send samples. There is also a contact form on our website where you can send a message if you’d like to collaborate with us.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.justjans.com
- Instagram: @justjansspreads
- Facebook: @justjansspreads
- Twitter: @justjansspreads
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lmtEdGGeXppYgjzmaZ7ZA
