Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonnie Jean’s.
Hi Bonnie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
On a sunny day in 2018, it all started with a big bag of pears. I was watching my two grandbabies when a friend brought me a big bag of pears. I asked myself, “what would I do with all these pears?”. After all, it’s just two little girls and I. Not wanting the fresh fruit to go to waste, I taught myself to make preservers. I perfected my craft and became a two-time winner for my Pomegranate Jam and in 2022 second place for my homemade Apple Butter that cooks in a slow cooker for 7-8 hours and is good with a bowl of Oatmeal. This is my joy and I still maintain a full-time job.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The business has not been a smooth road because of the fluctuation of obstacles and the required adaptability needed to sustain a profitable business. Some of the obstacles have been the upkeep of orders because I get orders placed from local and non-local customers, and sometimes I deliver the orders. Also, Covid played a factor because the demands increased and decreased in certain months because more people were quarantining and not going outside of their homes to mingle and interact. Next, the inflation of ingredients affected my ability to produce the products. For example, the price of eggs increased, leading me to increase my prices. But I have enjoyed this road to success by maintaining relationships with my past and current vendors. I have had lots of opportunities to work with some Collin County churches and schools and pop-up locations. Being an independent business owner and maintaining the books and finances while maintaining a full-time employment in my selected profession has been the most important and impactful part. The success of my business has developed into something beautiful, built from the lumps and bumps in the road, and I would not prefer anything smoother.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work in the Healthcare profession, where I specialize in monitoring heartbeats and electrocardiograms to assist with interpreting and diagnosing conditions related to the heart. I am known for helping many other departments and aiding in functions outside my job description. I am a family-orientated person, and I enjoy putting smiles on my work family faces daily. For example, I recently organized a retirement party for a coworker. I am proudest of the simple enjoyment I get from witnessing life-saving events and being allowed time management availability to structure my business throughout my daily life. I am humble spirited, so to think about what sets me apart from others was a difficult question. I stand out because of my sweet personality and kind words to everyone I meet.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned along the journey is that having consistency is just as important as making sales. All of my products are made the same, with care, love, and sweetness. I take a significant amount of detail in labeling all my products and ensuring they are presentable. Another lesson would be maintaining daily living while leading a successful business. I love my current profession and have worked in it for over 30 years, but I love putting smiles on people’s faces with my breads and preservatives. The last important lesson would be building relationships because that is how I secure potential customers and maintain current customers.
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Image Credits
Bonniejean’s
