We recently connected with Jamerica Jeffries and have shared our conversation below.
Jamerica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
I remember when I first started my spice line & having no idea what to call it. I racked my brain for days trying to think of something catchy and unique but still urban and off the wall. I knew like my own name “Jamerica” I wanted something that would catch anyone’s attention no matter race, gender, age. I wasn’t opposed to using my nickname, “Jam” in my business’ name either— as long as it was catchy. There’s so many successful funky names on the market, owned by people of all different races so I knew I could have one as well.
I’ve had a hand for food and cooking since I was a child— learning the basics from the women in my family— and I’ve always liked to post my skills on social media. For years, every time I would post a dish someone somewhere would respond saying “damn jam!” I mean that’s all I heard and it would sometimes follow with “damn jam! That looks so good” or “damn jam! I want to try that.” It never failed. I had the name of my business—thanks to the public—years ago before I had the idea of my actual business, which is pretty funny when I think back on it. When I was experimenting with my spice recipes my uncle kept asking “what are you going to call it?!” I kept saying “not sure but I’ll know once I finish the line.” I believed in what I said and by the time I wrapped up my 5th spice to the collection— it hit me! I was so proud of myself that I said what others had been saying for years, “damn jam!” I knew then it was the name. It was everything I wanted it to be. Funky, creative, different, urban, a true head turner!
Within one year of being in business I filed for a legal trademark for the name & received the stamp of approval the year following. Happiest moment of my life! I believe so strongly in my brand and its name that I felt I needed to secure it before it makes millions, lol. I knew and still know the idea, the name, the taste and integrity of my business will go far. Damn jam is here for the long haul, just wait and see.
Jamerica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Jam is the name, but to my family I’m “Jmac!” The little girl from Memphis, TN that survived her mother’s passing at the age of 3, her brother’s passing at the age of 18 and so much more in between. Statistically I was never suppose to beat the odds, let along go to college & later start a business. I remember growing up each woman in my family taught me something different about cooking. The woman who raised me , aka my granny, taught me how to make the best potato salad! Not too bitter, not too salty, not too sweet. My glamorous Auntie Althea taught me how to make the easiest most delicious French toast. My uncle’s girlfriend taught me how to make scrambled cheese eggs! Yes eggs! Mind you I was between the age of 10-13 learning these random recipes. Honestly what 11 year old do you know that knows how to make homemade potato salad? It was these 3 simple dishes that molded my cooking hands. I believe the world’s best cookers/chefs DO NOT measure. Our hands are our measuring cups/spoons that are built at such a young age. Cooking chooses you, you don’t really choose cooking—it comes that natural. Chefs have some of the most complex, intellectual brains I can think of. If you don’t believe me, Just sit and watch the best cook you know from start to finish of a meal, other than breakfast, and watch their hands, eyes, wrist, and just their entire body language. It’s amazing honestly. Before I started dabbling in the kitchen myself, that’s what I did. I watched those women i mentioned before like a hawk until I was invited in the kitchen to join. Who would have ever known that my love for the kitchen would turn into me starting a business dedicated to everyone’s spice cabinet! You can’t have food without spice— it just doesn’t work that way.
Fast forward 15 years later I’m way past cheese eggs, French toast, and potato salad and have moved to Tuscan salmon pasta,
BBQ mango grilled wings, any soul food you can think of, butter pecan cinnamon rolls, pecan pies, sweet potato cheesecake pie, seafood lasagna rolls, and just so many other taste bud blowing recipes. What’s a good dish without good spices and/or sauces? With all these great recipes I needed just as great ingredients! People would always ask what did I use to season my food and I realized I could make my own all in one seasonings to cater to each genre of food! Instead of sending someone 10 different spices I curated a line of 6 that can cover a wide variety of dishes. Seafood, chicken, bbq, pork, potatoes, salad, beef— there’s not much Damn Jam doesn’t have to cater to your needs.
Ridin’ Dirty Chicken is for fried, baked, sautéed, air fried, broiled, or grilled chicken
Black Caesar is for everything that comes from the sea
No Limits is an all purpose seasoning that is a hit on all vegetables, burgers, fries, fish, chicken, etc
Everything spud is great on potatoes, salads, popcorn, the filling of stuffed chicken or salmon
Hot Lemon Pepper is THEE absolute best seller. You must love really spicy food for this one! Great on wings, pork chops, fried fish, cooked cabbage, pot roast, seafood and so many other things you want to spice up
Bluff City BBQ is Memphis TN in a bottle! Great for all your grilling weekends! It pairs great with my soulful bbq sauce too!
Soulful BBQ sauce is another product that shows homage to my hometown. If a sauce could have soul it would be this one!
Bite’cha back spicy honey mustard is another customer favorite! Great on salads, burgers, wings, and honestly by itself! People have literally ate this alone on some tortilla chips!
Every product I have was carefully curated & is like nothing on the market in its class. The way each one explodes on your tongue definitely sends each customer on a journey.
The biggest thing I’m proud of about my business is NOTHING is repackaged. Everything is made from scratch, bottled, & shipped by DAMN JAM & DAMN JAM ONLY! This is not to down any company who utilizes a 3rd party vendor, it’s just what sets me apart from some competitors— big or small. I’m also so proud of the public’s feedback on my products. The reviews have been incredible! Especially when I see customers who have publicly spoken on my products order more! It confirms they really do love it. I’ve been blessed to not have any customer problems, not even shipping (knock on wood), which is another thing I’m very proud of.
This journey definitely has not been easy. Being consistent with promoting and exposure has definitely been where I struggle with discipline the most. Being an entrepreneur with a 9-5 and other life events you sometimes lose sight of the vision. Especially when you don’t have a small army behind you and you’re doing everything by yourself. Keeping yourself on track by your self requires so much discipline. However, as an entrepreneur you do have to give yourself some grace.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Reels & hashtags have easily been the easiest way to build my audience on social media. Making sure you use the most trending music and sounds is the #1 way to grow because it reaches so many people for free. Also, it doesn’t take 20-50 hashtags to get clicks, likes, and shares. Utilize 5-7 that suit your content best. Another big tidbit is finding a page that is dedicated to your home town. They typically support their own entrepreneurs, artist, creators, etc for free or little charge. For example, my hometown has a instagram page called “unapologetically Memphis” that spreads Memphis news, funny memes that only other Memphians would understand, local music, restaurants, things to do, positive and not so positive events and more. The page has about 80k followers and they love supporting their own! They will sometimes share good content for free or you can pay a small fee. I grew my following a lot by partnering with a page dedicated to my home town.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that the people closest to you are not obligated to share or purchase your brand. It’s a sense of entitlement most entrepreneurs feel, however, it’s just not how the world works. Most of my sales, likes, and shares are from people I don’t know or barely know. Not people I grew up with, family members, co workers, friends etc. don’t let it discourage you though. It’s rewarding seeing random names pop up on your device after a customer placed an order.
Contact Info:
- Website: Markeetajm.com
- Instagram: @Damnjamseasonings
- Facebook: Jamerica Mar-Keeta
- Linkedin: Jamerica Jeffries
- Twitter: @jamerica__