Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cathy Cowan . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cathy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

It was a typical Saturday when my phone rang, and to my delight, it was my longtime friend since 6th grade, asking, “Hey Cat, wanna go to brunch?” As a mom of two small kids, weary of endless episodes of Bubble Guppies and Dora the Explorer, I immediately seized the opportunity with a resounding “Yes!” After swiftly picking out my clothes and getting dressed, I left my kids with instructions to behave during my absence.

However, my brunch plans took an unexpected turn. After grabbing my purse, I found myself roped into an impromptu talent show, making snacks, and enduring jokes that only amused my little ones. With my hand on the doorknob, I realized that, by the time I reached brunch, it would be over. There I stood in my hot pink high heels and bedazzled tank top, with no brunch, no mimosas, and no grown-up entertainment in sight. Frustrated and hungry, I rummaged through the fridge, discovering biscuits and homemade watermelon jam from my aunt.

In a moment of inspiration, I wondered, “What if I added booze to this jam?” A search on Pinterest and Google yielded no boozy jam recipes, so I decided to create my own. With freshly picked peaches and a bottle of champagne reserved for such occasions, I whipped up my first batch of Peach Bellini Jam. And just like that, On the Rocks Gourmet Jams was born.

The journey of entrepreneurship began with excitement. Over time, as sales fluctuated, the challenges of sustaining the business became discouraging. This prompted a reevaluation of my initial motivation for starting the business. My inspiration stemmed from both my past and my vision for the future.

Conversations with my father often recounted the hardships of my grandfather, a sharecropper consistently cheated out of his earnings. A few years ago, I faced the fear of losing my job, which led to two challenging years of unemployment. Depleted savings, sacrifices, and a search for steady work marked a period where I realized the importance of setting a vision for my future. This pivotal moment clarified that I no longer wanted to rely on someone else’s evaluation to determine my worth.

While the entrepreneurial road may not be easy, I found it to be worth the journey. The drive to create something meaningful and independent became my purpose, a realization that transformed my mindset and commitment to building a business of value.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Becoming an entrepreneur was never in my initial life plans; it took me by surprise. While envisioning my future, entrepreneurship wasn’t a path I had anticipated. When people inquire about the problem my business solves for customers, it’s not about addressing a specific need. My product caters to those who relish home entertainment and experimenting with unique items to create simple yet delightful dishes and drinks. What sets my product apart is the incorporation of real alcohol into cocktail-inspired preserves.

What makes me proudest is my unwavering commitment to persist. I constantly seek opportunities to learn from other brands and mentors, aiming to enhance my product continuously. Beyond just crafting jams, this brand embodies the essence of embracing creativity and maintaining a childlike wonder about the possibilities.

More importantly, this brand is dedicated to a sustainable growth model, intending to provide living wages for ex-felons. It aspires to foster an environment that recognizes them as human beings above all else. This venture is about more than just creating products; it’s a commitment to making a positive impact on both the creative landscape and the lives of those involved within my community.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

There’s a well-known saying, “If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.” While this mantra is often easier said than done, it holds profound relevance in the entrepreneurial realm. Unlike conventional wisdom, success in entrepreneurship doesn’t always come after the first attempt; it often requires a series of persistent efforts, even in the face of repeated setbacks.

Growing up, I confess that I used to believe if something didn’t work out on the initial or second attempt, it was a signal to move on. However, the entrepreneurial path has taught me otherwise. The numerous closed doors and failed attempts are not indicators of defeat but rather opportunities for growth. Failure only occurs if one neglects the valuable lessons these challenges offer.

Crucially, maintaining the right mindset is paramount. Not every disappointment is a failure; sometimes, it’s a signal to pivot in a new direction rather than abandoning the entire endeavor. This perspective shift has been instrumental in navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

Allow me to illustrate this with a personal example. In the initial phase of my business, I invested in a platform connecting distributors and buyers. Despite initial excitement, the response was disheartening—repeated requests for samples went unanswered, and enthusiasm waned. Frustrated, I reverted to traditional methods, visiting local businesses door to door.

Then, unexpectedly, an opportunity arose. AARP reached out for my products, expressing interest in featuring them in their subscription box. The lesson here was clear: success may not always unfold in the anticipated manner, and perseverance can reveal unexpected opportunities.

The key takeaway is simple yet profound—believing in your product or service and persisting in your efforts can lead to success, even if it takes an unforeseen path. Each setback is a chance to learn and pivot, not a signal to give up.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As I reminisce about one of the most embarrassing moments in my entrepreneurial journey, I can’t help but appreciate the valuable lessons that accompanied the experience. It’s a story I now share with a chuckle, recognizing the growth that emerged from those challenging moments.

In the early days of my entrepreneurial venture, I harbored a rather simplistic view of the business landscape. I believed that creating a product or offering a service, and expanding quickly would pave the way to success. While I anticipated challenges, I wasn’t fully prepared for the multitude of hurdles that awaited.

My ambitious idea led me to participate in a trade show in NYC. Having lived there previously, I counted on friends for support. However, my lack of a budget proved to be a significant oversight. With limited space and funds, I aimed to minimize expenses, not realizing the impact this decision would have.

Before the trade show, two businesses had expressed interest in my product, one being a NYC grocery store eager to schedule a meeting. Armed with samples, talking points, and a comprehensive press and pricing kit, I ventured into what I hoped would be a fruitful partnership discussion.

To put it mildly, that meeting deviated far from my expectations. Its duration, which felt like an eternity, was marked by unexpected questions that caught me off guard. I yearned for the meeting to conclude, each question adding to the discomfort. Despite my internal turmoil, I maintained an outward appearance of keen interest. It stands as the most challenging meeting of my life.

The trade show itself was memorable, though not entirely in the way I had envisioned. With only one sale to my name, gratitude overshadowed disappointment. The lessons learned from this experience proved far more valuable than any immediate success.

The first and foremost lesson was the importance of starting with a budget, a fundamental aspect that should have been a no-brainer. I realized that starting small should never be underestimated, and building up gradually is more sustainable than overspending in pursuit of rapid success. Additionally, I embraced the concept of being kind to oneself and allowing room for grace. Acknowledging that I won’t know everything and understanding that failures are inherent to business became akin to the relationship between peanut butter and jelly.

In retrospect, the NYC trade show was a pivotal moment in my entrepreneurial journey, a testament to the resilience and adaptability required for success. I now carry these lessons with me as essential components of my growth as an entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ontherocksjams.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ontherocksjams/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ontherocksjams

Image Credits
Rebekah Chavez-Wynne by Wynne Photography