We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Loretta Pickett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Loretta, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I established Dupree Seasonings LLC in Honor and Memory of my son (Dupree) who was killed April 23, 2020, as a passenger seat victim to the drunk driver. With little to no closure because of it being the early stages of covid and his body not being found until 3 weeks after it entered the water, depression and grief was and still is the worst awareness I’ve have ever experienced. It’s just not the order of life that we all expect it to be. No one in my generation or previous generations in my family had been through this type of loss and pain. I remember sitting in my car with regression of breath, nonstop tears flooding my eyes, a deep pain in my chest and a weakness of understanding which emotion I was feeling, and I looked up to notice the sun shining. It was blinded at first, but after all of the draining, heaviness of my present state, it felt really good on my skin. It was at that moment a memory came to mind
At that stage of healing I was suffering from what most recognize as “Grief Brain”, which is a cognitive and emotional process of the brain during heavy amounts of grief on the brain. Memories of my son and I would flood my brain and fill my thoughts throughout the day so much that I began to forget simple things like what date/time of the day it was (and I honestly to me, at that time, they no longer mattered). The memory was of my son when he was younger. Him and I going to the Columbia City Farmers Market in Seattle, WA. We would buy fresh herbs and spices and return home to 7954 Seward Park Ave S and create the best recipes. This became a weekly adventure for us. Being a young Mom I wanted to provide the best experiences for him and cultivate the best memories which I have so many of. My Father and Mothers side of the family lived, owned and farmed in the south by way of cities such as Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina, Louisiana and more. One of our delicacies that is cherished in our Family because of its richness in Flavor, Cultural substance, which has always been one of my favorite meals to eat is Gumbo. With Dupree being about 7 years old we created our very own Gumbo seasoning blend. It was his favorite meal all year long. Lol. He even wanted me to make it during the summer and of course I did. That was our thing. We cooked, sung, danced and ate good. When he transitioned, I felt robbed because I had so many aspirations on what our life’s would be like, all that he would accomplish, and I really wanted the chance to see my son get married, graduate college, have children and allow me the opportunity of loving on a grandchild that inherited his deep dimples. All of that suddenly became just a thought, hope and a wish. I am now just left with memories. Very good memories. He left this earth so early in life, I Felt like I was robbed of the world knowing who my son was. Dupree seasonings LLC gives me the opportunity to continue in keeping his memory alive, honoring him, telling his story, teaching people about who he was, providing comfort and healing towards others that may have lost a loved one by offering and sharing hugs and sometimes even tears, providing people with quality herbs and spice blends that Dupree and I loved to make and enjoy. My mission is to make him proud and to tell the world about who he was, the great Love that he was and still is, share our love of cooking with all who love and enjoy the type of cooking that promotes health being the truth wealth of life. More Life, More Love and More Memories as we remember Dupree.

Loretta, 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?

My name is Loretta Pickett (Polk). I am a single Mother, Business Owner, College Graduate, Strong Believer and Faith in God, Motivational Speaker, Writer, and so much more. Many say that my smile and my strength through all of life’s adversities is what helps them throughout their day. That it gives them a sense of hope and motivation to keep pushing. I’m never ashamed of anything I have experienced because I believe no matter how difficult it might seem. It was ordained and destined for me to learn something from it. I am a mushy Lover at heart and a hard callused protector when I need to be especially for my children. I want the Best for them in the long or short time we have in life. Upon obtaining my Human Services associate’s degree at Highline College, part of my undergraduates course requirement was to complete an allotted amount of Practicum hours. On the field experience and work with focus towards my associates degree course of choice. My choice of practicum was to partner with the City of Renton, Americorps, Sustainable Renton, St. Mathew’s Lutheran Church, Renton Farmers Market and more to receive qualifying credits for my degree. I had so many people at the market ask why I was so happy and eager to pick up the trash surrounding the designated Kids patch area of the Renton Farmers Market. What many didn’t know was that I was a mother myself that had just suffered losing my first-born son and in some way.
I was in a mothering protection mode.
There was a large amount of less fortunate people that occupied the space during the week and before each market us volunteers and city of Renton employees cleaned/prepared the space for vendors and the community to enjoy a safe and secure day at the market without any mishaps. I took pride in being a volunteer and in some way, it allowed me to keep the children safe as well as allow them to be as free as they should be. I was also going through survivors gult. Not being able to save my son’s life that night made me feel less of a mother and protector even though there was no possible way I could have been there or even known the car crash was going to happen. I would marvel at all the vendors and imagine how fun it would be to be a vendor entrepreneur. I of course was in the process of entering my Bachelor’s undergraduate program in psychology, but I had never fathomed this. At the end of my practicum and before the next market year I reached out to the head of the market, Carrie. I was a little stagnant and unsure if I could confidently do it. Carrie said something to me that I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life. She said “Loretta, you can do this and you’re going to do this. It is not so much of what you sell, it’s who you are as a person.” Meaning it’s my Joy, my smile, my story that people come to the market to see, hear and build a bond with. Not just to buy what you sell. Don’t get me wrong Everything at the Renton Farmers market is the Best Quality. It just who you are that evokes people to engage with you. That’s wisdom that I feel every business owner should know. This is the discipline that laid the foundation for my confidence in my craft. It wasn’t that I doubted or didn’t know I had a quality line of seasoning blend recipes, it was that I was about to embark into uncharted territories. What sets me apart from others is my story, my determination and my hard work. I am a one woman show. I blend, manufacture, package, print labels, fill and ship all the orders and more. I think it has to do with my business being in memory of my son. I want everything to be prestige as a mother would be with their child. The best quality, time and care as anyone would offer to a person they love and care for. Dupree Seasoning Blends are Vegan, Gluten free, Non-GMO, Keto-friendly, Low Sodium, Low Sugar, Low Carb, contain No-fillers or anti-caking agents and they are always packed full of Flavor. Our seasoning flavors are authentic and uniquely one of a kind. From our Jerk, Sweet Honey Gold, Sea-Town, Season-All’s and more. And let’s not forget about the Garlic Tingz! Wow. What I’m most proud about is that I am enduring this journey with peace, acceptance and love. It has been the most fulfilling transformative, heartfelt, rollercoaster I don’t think I ever wanted to imagine. I’m proud that I can tell my son’s story and that every time I share it, it empowers and gives others a sense of hope and healing. The main things I want potential clients/followers/fans about myself, and my brand is that I will always provide the best quality ingredients, I might cry if we share our stories with each other, always expect a smile and a genuine hug if you need one, and if you have ever experienced the loss of someone near and dear to your heart, make their name forever remembered. Cultural Custodianship is to remember and have others remember those special things that you did together and if you feel a sense of stagnation or fear, you know you’re headed in the right direction.

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

Really, Ironically, I just got fired from my Job. I never get too surprised about things that take a turn for what most think is the worst. I’ve been in the Aerospace industry since 2007 Engineering, Quality Inspection, NDT and more and honestly, I actually felt as if a weight was lifted. One that I would have felt was irresponsible to do if it had been my decision. Dealing with the corporate politics of others being able to make separate rules that only apply to them but when you partake in them its somehow not a necessity or valid is bogus. One thing my mother always taught me is that you never break your back for a company that can replace your value in seconds. You will be left recovering when you should be enjoying retirement. This is my freedom, and it feels good to grow in my business that I’ve worked so hard for. Something I once only looked at as a source of healing and growth transformed into the newest Love of my life. Therapy is my heart, its who I am, it’s how I live and it’s what the world needs more of. Pivots aren’t that bad, and they sometimes do the crazy things we didn’t have enough courage to do. Take that leap of faith, but if you can’t and you get pushed like me. Take it with the same breath of peace you would if it had been your own decision.

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

One thing I had to understand was comparison is the death of anything. When I first started to create and ideas would race through my mind about how I want the business to be focused on honoring my son, I found myself comparing every milestone to him and what I lost in him being alive. I started with the logo and I was so undecided. I knew I wanted it to overlap but it just wasn’t right at first. I created my first label and cried like a baby. I named one of the blends in Memory of my son and stopped creating for months. I regained my thoughts and strength after mourning and grieving and eventually created my own website and immediately felt rage, frustration, sadness, defeat and hate. It was because non of these accomplishments compared to what I wanted the most. My son back. While lying in bed one night I hear what my sons voice would have sounded like say. “Mom, if you keep comparing what God is going to bless you with to me, you will never enjoy the rest of your life. Enjoy your life, Mom. Did you Love me for who I am within, or did you love the tangible vessel that is now gone.” I had to unlearn comparing everything to him and once I let that go of that I began to feel the inspiration flow without the heaviness of a mother’s survivor’s guilt.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dupreeseasonings.com
• Instagram: Dupree Seasonings
• Facebook: Dupree Seasonings LLC

Image Credits

Loretta Pickett