Rising Stars: Meet Ashley Gaytan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Gaytan.

Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
East Dallas Marmalady is my pandemic project turned small business. I’ve always wanted to try to make marmalade and the quarantine gave me a chance to slow down and finally do it. Well, if you’ve ever made jams or marmalades before (cue Monica Gellar joke here), you know that a batch makes more than a small family can eat in time, so I started sharing with friends and neighbors. One friend encouraged me to start selling and I designed a logo and set up an Instagram account that very day. My son helped come up with the name. He started calling me Marmalady when he discovered what I was making. I’ve been a proud East Dallasite for almost twenty years now, so it just felt right to include our community in my name.

Through social media, I was quickly making deliveries and joining pop-up markets. The support has been amazing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has had a couple of bumps along the way, but nothing too bad. The jar shortage was a tough one, but things are better now. I’ve learned to just always have some on hand.

Life gets messy and fruit goes bad sometimes, but it just makes the next batch even better. Cooking has always been therapeutic to me. I strive to be in a positive mindset when I start prepping; no bad energy in these jars!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work in marketing during the day and have also enjoyed working in the service industry for a couple of decades now. East Dallas Marmalady was an easy transition out of the service industry for me. After years of selling, it feels amazing to (finally) sell something of my own.

I make jams, jellies, and marmalades in my home kitchen – technically in Junius Heights. I prefer a chunky style, so you can actually see what you are getting. I try to use local produce when possible and I sweeten almost everything with local honey from Bonton Farms so that it cuts down on the sugar.

I offer free local delivery to Dallas Proper via my website, http://eastdallasmarmalady.com.

You can also find me every 4th Sunday at The Underground Market on Lowest Greenville at Oram St and occasionally at The Dallas Arboretum weekend markets. You can find out where I am by following me on Instagram @eastdallasmaramalady.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I was fortunate to have a couple of mentors in the beginning. I carry their advice with me daily. Work on your business every single day. It can be as little as making a social post or ordering supplies, but you have to keep it moving. It’s all up to you. Make it as big or little as you want it.