We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Larry Darling a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Larry , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
During Covid lockdown, like everyone else, I had some extra time on my hands. I’d previously had a different idea for a food truck, so I started off making some pickles and hot sauces. They turned out well, then I began experimenting with different jams and jellies. I enjoy the magic trick of transforming ingredients into something completely new and different. Different recipes started to pop into my head, and I had a great time trying to make unlikely combinations work together.
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.
JamAlot brings unique and tasty jams, jellies and preserves to the table. I specialize in small batch unique jams and flavor profiles that people have never tasted before. I create these delicious jellies in my home in Pomona CA, operating under an LA County Cottage Food permit. I am proud to vend locally in my community, setting up at the local farmer’s market each week and the Downtown Pomona Artwalk ever second Saturday.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Well, I have been working hard for other people for my entire life, and still barely scraping by. I have tried many different things and had many good ideas that never managed to pull me out of the grind. I have a lot of failures behind me, but wake up each morning and keep moving forward.
I thought that perhaps I hadn’t made it sound worth all the effort, but the journey has been incredibly rewarding. If I were to add anything, it would be that I don’t aim to dominate the jam industry or become the ultimate jelly king or anything of that sort. My objective is simply to cover my bills and debts through a creative pursuit that brings me genuine joy, as opposed to working tirelessly for others. With that said, I am sincerely grateful to everyone who has shown any form of support as I establish this small business!
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I am eternally grateful to my mom and my brother for believing in me and lending me the money to get everything started. Paying for permits and a large stash of tools and supplies was not cheap, and I never could have gotten this far without their generous support. Also, everything from kind supportive words to social media shares from a few good friends who have believed in me has made a huge difference.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jam_alot