Seeking Thyme with Erin

An introspective conversation with Erin creator of black-owned jam company Berry & Thyme

When it comes to homemade jams and marmalades, what comes to mind? Maybe breakfast or some Paula Deen-Esque Food Network host trying to peddle her own highly branded corporate shill of a jam.

I think of my grandmother back home, who grew her figs and made her jams to sell at farmers' markets - and maybe you're thinking, "Damn, KB loves jam," which you're not wrong - I love breakfast. While I could deep dive into the history of jams and representation (which does matter), I can taste Erin's passion for crafting exquisite jams and marmalades.

KB: For those who don't know who you are and the readers and all that stuff. Can you please introduce yourself?

Picture by Morgan Potter

Erin: I am from Stockton, California, and reside in Sacramento. Now been here for about four years, and I am jam business. I'm running Berry & Thyme by myself, and sometimes I allow a little help from my husband.

KB: So what made you decide to like, get into jams and marmalades?

Erin: I was always very drawn to it; I would do blueberry and lavender-infused simple syrup for Christmas gifts, like Rosemary and lavender. 2020 came around. I was a nanny, mostly here in Sacramento. I was a nanny full time, splitting my time between Sacramento and Oakland; I decided to cut off my Oakland families.

I felt like the most responsible thing to do was not be in multiple households because everything was so unknown. So I picked up a second remote job and got dropped after a week because there was no work.

Then a friend and I came up with an idea in early 2020; there weren't as many cheese and charcuterie board companies. So we're like, "Ooh, we should start a company - we can make it really vegan, friendly, and think outside the box." "oh, I can make these few jams, put them on these cheap boards, and then learn to bottle them up and exclusively sell them."

If you do work and do the research and make connections in that field, no goal is not achievable - Erin

I just started making them; luckily, a mom I knew had some experience with canning through being a nanny. I presented that idea to my friend, and when I told her that, she looked like, "I had never heard of this concept, like, I think you should just do this." When I presented that idea (to my friend), we had our first and last business meeting.

Though deep-diving into the history of jams is something I'm still adamant against, Erin holds a space where many people of color don't dwell. With Berry & Thyme's business, Erin represents a path less traveled that gives praise to her as a half Filipino and half black woman. While I could've just left it at me just supporting her by buying jams - I felt the best supportive move was to share her story with you.

KB: What was the most daunting challenge for you since starting Berry & Thyme?

Picture by Melissa Fernandez

Erin: I am very aware that I believe that I am the only black and Filipino woman doing this. I think my biggest challenge was with myself or that I'm in the food industry. Even though I didn't grow up doing this, nor was I trained classically or formally to be doing this - It's more of like a foodie turned right entrepreneur.

Sometimes, I feel I'm not good enough or don't know enough. My self-doubt has been the biggest challenge because I am very aware of what I have and whatnot for what I've done and how it's worked.

KB: Since knowing this, how has community reception been?

Erin: Honestly, the community is so supportive. It's fun when people are sending my jams to their friends and family - as many people speak about how the flavors are so unique.

KB: You've mentioned that you're half black and Filipino. Do you tap into those cultural references to understand flavor pallets and combinations?

Erin: It feels more like intuition. I was guided into this, and that's the same with the flavors. I might have fruit in mind and dive into this index in my head of herbs, peppers, and flowers. Like, what would this go? What can I imagine this going really well with, and that's about 99% of my flavors.

My nationality and background, my papaya and vanilla jam, were made explicitly for Stockton's high school Filipino club fundraiser. My niece was a part of the club, and she asked if I could make a jam for the fundraiser to raise funds for their equipment. While being African-American, the way that I show up for that community and my community.

I have made it to a place where I can keep growing, and I know that the community will keep supporting me as long as that's the goal. - Erin

When I was in Portland, 10% of my net proceeds went to a black-led non-profit in Portland. They like to restore people's homes, mostly folks who were like in it's called Taking Ownership PDX, and they really try to tackle gentrification. So less about labor and more about putting my money where my mouth is for the African-American community. I understand countless social issues I can be donating to, and I know I'm only one person. But no matter who I'm contributing to, as long as it's out of love, I will feel good about it.

So this year, I'm donating a dollar from every online order to the California Farmworker Foundation. I want to support the farmworkers who are literally out there picking the fruit I am using.

Picture by Morgan Potter

For every journalist - it's hard to explain, but you have this magic moment. It's the interview part where you know you've captured something special. Sitting here listening to Erin shows she has definitely been spreading the wealth. Personally, it's beautiful to see how a condiment we kind of take for granted has become a catalyst for positive change.

I don't want to get super reflective, but I would be lying if I said Erin didn't make me consider my own impact. The true beauty of Erin is that in her own unique journey, she found a way to bottle the love of her community and culture in a jar. Moreover, I feel that's the entrepreneurial experience - taking the thing you've created and seeing the ripples of your implications unfold.

KB: One of the questions that I love to ask is, have you had that "I made it" moment?

Erin: I feel like I have it often. If I sold out of a product, that's a big one. Because I try to show gratitude even if it's such a minor success, it's a huge thing to be supported by the community - so much so that I'm doing this full-time.

I keep having goals, and I'm not there yet. So it's a yes and no kind of answer to your question. I do have days where I get stuck in the hustle and bustle of everything. I feel I'm not doing enough, but trying to remind myself that "you're doing what you can" - I try to make a conscious effort.

I have made it to a place where I can keep growing, and I know that the community will keep supporting me as long as that's the goal. I have big plans for the company, and I know that I'll be able to step back and remind myself of where I started and keep having these - I made it moments.

KB: That's that's really beautiful. And to me, you definitely have made it in my eyes. I think for me at this point is just, are there any words you want to give to any upstart black entrepreneurs?

Erin: Just do, do your research. You can self-learn on tape. If there are online classes, that's what I did. Luckily, I took a couple of jamming classes because it was cultivated. It was over zoom, this wonderful, wonderful woman in Canada. You can, you can do it.

If you do work and do the research and make connections in that field, no goal is not achievable. I'm sure that some roads are a lot bumpier than others, but if you're supposed to be doing something, feel like it's the right thing, then just do what you have to do to get there.

Don't be afraid to ask people; ask questions. If you have someone you look up to in that field, ask them questions. Don't be scared.

I have difficulty ending interviews because you don't want them to be done once you're in a moment of great conversation. Eating Erin's jam on toast reminds me of the warm embrace of sunbeams that hit my face when nestled under my granny's fig trees. While the waves of nostalgia wash over me as I come to grips with the last bite. Berry & Thyme is not your average jam, and though I could find more words to describe the taste of this fantastic experience - you'll just have to buy your own jar.