We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shanice Arogundade. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shanice below.

Shanice, appreciate you joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

The most important thing my parents did for me was sending me to school, embodying the Jamaican belief that education is the key to success. But beyond that, they taught me invaluable life skills—things like resilience, creativity, and how to handle everyday challenges. Those lessons have shaped who I am and how I approach life. One of my favorite memories is baking with my dad. This experience has taught me that success often comes through trial and error. Sometimes the cakes would be perfect, and other times they wouldn’t—but that was okay. Those moments shaped my creativity. I learned to appreciate the process, adapt when things go wrong, and celebrate small wins. These lessons I have carried over into my life, career, small business, and content creation. Additionally, My parents showed me that authenticity matters. We are a family who loves to cook. My parents will always cook extras for ‘passersby’. Growing up in Jamaica, my mom had a shop selling fresh produce and non-perishable items. Her emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients, and her passion for doing things the right way is why I insist on sourcing the freshest ingredients when I cook or make blends.

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?

I am a new mom, a health educator by day, a patriotic Jamaican foodie, and the content creative behind The Jamaican Palate aka @jcanpalate across major platforms. Cooking has always been a passion of mine—not for commercial ventures, but as a creative outlet. During the pandemic, while stranded on Alabama State University’s campus and hesitant to return to New York, I turned to cooking as a distraction. That’s when I launched The Jamaican Palate. The whole idea of the page is to explore food through the lens of a Jamaican. I believe food is subjective—meaning that people’s perceptions, preferences, and interpretations of food are shaped by their cultural background, traditions, and personal experiences. Food isn’t just about taste. It carries meaning, identity, and history and differs from culture to culture. My account showcases a variety of dishes, from childhood favorites and traditional favorites to modern twists, aiming to highlight the rich flavors of Jamaican food. I create recipes for brands when approached and private meal prep. Beyond Instagram, The Jamaican Palate extends its presence to other platforms, including a YouTube channel and an Etsy store emphasizing simple seasoning without the added msg and food additives. Offering products like Jamaican Allspice Berries, homemade dry Jerk and all-purpose seasonings, and jerk cashews.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

As an upcoming brand, I sell my products on Etsy.The platform’s community of users who appreciate handmade and artisanal goods and provides an easy-to-use platform for someone like me, who is new to the online space. As a new mom who had taken almost a year off to focus on family, it is easy to activate the listing and resume store. There are also cons to the platform. There is a listing and transaction fee. Truthfully, the marketplace can get competitive so standing out can be challenging. Most platforms even social media have marketing aspects, so sometimes you may have to spend to keep up with competition or to be discovered.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I would say the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been vending events. These face-to-face interactions allow me to showcase my products, engage with customers, and build personal connections that online platforms can’t always replicate. I get to share my spice blends directly, answer questions, and let people taste the quality of my products, as well as talk about my brand and what it means. These events helped me build a loyal customer base, as people tend to remember the experience and return for more.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcanpalate/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejamaicanpalate
• Other: etsy:
  https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheJamaicanPalate

Image Credits

not applicable