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

Hi Donald, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

At Cobb & Cobbs Seasonings, our mission is to bring heritage to the table one jar at a time.

This isn’t just about seasoning food. It’s about seasoning life with the values, traditions, and love passed down through generations. Our story begins in the warm, bustling kitchen of my grandmother, Linnie Cobbs, in Oakland, California. She was the heartbeat of every family gathering, the one who could turn the simplest ingredients into unforgettable meals. She taught me early on that food is more than just nourishment it’s connection, culture, and love you can taste.

I founded Cobb & Cobbs to carry that legacy forward. Every blend is hand-mixed with intention, crafted to tell a story of resilience, of family, of flavors rooted in African American culinary tradition. For me, this mission is deeply personal. It’s about honoring the woman who shaped my values and sharing that spirit with kitchens across the country.

When you open a jar of Cobb & Cobbs, you’re not just adding spice you’re adding history, heart, and home to your plate. Our mission matters because it preserves the recipes, memories, and cultural pride that too often get lost with time. We believe that every meal is an opportunity to connect, and every table is a place where love should be served generously.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Donald V. Seals Jr., founder of Cobb & Cobbs Seasonings a company built on heritage, heart, and flavor.

My journey into this industry began long before I knew it would become a business. I grew up in Oakland, California, spending countless hours by my mother Lovenia Seals side helping with her catering events and running her restaurant based in vallejo ca Doggie Dogs at the age of 12 alone with being in my grandmother Linnie Cobbs’ kitchen. She had an extraordinary gift for turning simple ingredients into soul-stirring meals, and she taught me that cooking wasn’t just about feeding people it was about bringing them together, telling stories, and creating memories that linger far beyond the last bite.

Over the years, I carried those lessons with me. Whether working in healthcare as a business developer or hosting family gatherings, I always found myself returning to the kitchen. I began hand-mixing my own blends, pulling from my grandmother’s techniques and adding my own twist. Friends and family kept asking for my seasonings, and soon I realized: this wasn’t just a hobby it was a calling.

Cobb & Cobbs Seasonings officially launched on April 26, 2025, with a clear mission: to put “heritage in a jar” so anyone, anywhere, could bring authentic, love-filled flavor to their table. We offer a line of handcrafted seasoning blends that are versatile, rich, and layered perfect for home cooks, professional chefs, and anyone who wants their meals to tell a story.

What sets us apart:
• Authenticity: Every blend is rooted in tradition, inspired by real family recipes.
• Quality: We hand-mix in small batches to ensure bold flavor in every jar.
• Storytelling: We’re not just selling seasoning we’re sharing a legacy.
• Connection: Our products are designed to turn everyday meals into moments that matter.

We solve a simple but universal problem: too many meals lack soul. Cobb & Cobbs helps people season with confidence, cook with pride, and infuse their dishes with cultural authenticity without spending hours guessing about spices.

What I’m most proud of is that in just the first few months after launch, we’ve sold hundreds of jars, catered events, and partnered with businesses like Vin En Noir in Napa to bring our flavors to more people. But more than the numbers, I’m proud every time someone tells me our seasoning reminds them of their grandmother’s cooking, or that it brought their family together around the table.

For anyone learning about us for the first time, here’s what I want you to know: Cobb & Cobbs is more than a brand it’s an invitation. An invitation to celebrate heritage, honor tradition, and enjoy food that speaks to the heart. Every jar carries the spirit of my grandmother’s kitchen, and I’m proud to share that legacy with the world.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Cobb & Cobbs Seasonings was built from the ground up literally with my own two hands and my own wallet.

When I decided to turn my passion for cooking and my grandmother’s legacy into a business, I didn’t have investors or a big savings account to fall back on. I started small, funding everything myself. The initial capital came from my personal savings, along with income I’d earned from my work in healthcare as a business developer.

I treated every dollar like it had a job. I bought my first round of jars, labels, and ingredients in small quantities, mixing blends in my own kitchen. I invested in a cottage food license, designed my first logo, and paid for a booth at local events out of pocket. I learned how to stretch funds by doing much of the work myself branding, packaging, photography while calling in help from friends and family when needed and outsourcing what when I found it to be within budget like website design.

I also reallocated personal spending cutting back on non-essentials so I could pour more into the business. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” amount of startup money, I launched with what I had, knowing that every sale would be reinvested to grow the brand.

That resourceful start taught me discipline and creativity. It reminded me that passion backed by persistence can turn a small budget into a big dream. Today, every jar of Cobb & Cobbs Seasonings is proof that you don’t need a massive bank account to launch you just need a clear mission, a willingness to work, and the belief that your vision matters.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Life has a way of forcing pivots, and I’ve learned that the ability to adapt is one of the greatest strengths you can have in business, career, and personal life.

One of my biggest pivots happened in 2023. I was working in healthcare as a business developer, a career I’d built over more than a decade. But at the same time, I felt a pull to do something deeply personal something that honored my family’s legacy and allowed me to build something of my own. When my grandmother passed, that pull became a mission. I made the decision to take Cobb & Cobbs Seasonings from an idea I played with on weekends to a full-fledged business. That meant shifting my time, energy, and finances into building a brand from scratch while still working full-time.

Another pivot came in the early days of launching Cobb & Cobbs. I initially thought my business would be purely e-commerce, but I quickly realized that in-person events, tastings, and catering gave customers a deeper connection to my story and my products. I shifted my strategy investing in pop-up markets, partnerships with wine shops like Vin En Noir in Napa, and community events. That change not only boosted sales, but also built loyal relationships with customers who now feel like part of the Cobb & Cobbs family.

On a personal level, the biggest pivot was navigating my divorce while still showing up for my career and my new business. Ending a marriage meant rebuilding my life emotionally and financially. It forced me to rediscover my identity, redefine what stability looked like, and prove to myself that I could stand strong on my own. That season of change was painful, but it also fueled my determination to create something lasting not just for me, but as a legacy for my family.

These pivots taught me that change isn’t a setback it’s an invitation to grow. Sometimes the path you thought you’d take simply leads you to the one you were meant for all along.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Cobbandcobbs.net
• Instagram: Dj_wins / Cobbsseasonings
• Facebook: Cobbs Seasonings

Image Credits

Tamiko- nifty travels addicts
Florence Sims- the final Sauce (mentor)
Lovenia and La’ Donna Seals – mother and Sister
Ashleé Nicole – good friend/ sister