Bloggers & Friends Podcast X Diane Jackson

A kitchen can be a sanctuary, a studio, and a launchpad. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Diane “Mama D” Jackson, the mother, wife, and entrepreneur who turned a family-nudged cookbook idea into a fast-growing, health-forward granola brand. We dive into the creative detour that changed everything: from staging a full cookbook photoshoot to discovering that flavor experiments were the real signal. Vanilla toffee with chocolate, cookie butter that won first-class taste buds, seasonal hot cocoa with roasted marshmallows, and a sweet-and-salty pretzel remix—each batch pulled her closer to a purpose she could feel. Hungry for more? Tune in and join the conversation!

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome Back & Guest Intro
• 1:25 The Spark Behind Mama D’s
• 3:20 From Cookbook Vision To Full Production
• 6:40 Discovering Granola As The Core Product
• 10:20 Health-Conscious Recipes And Ingredient Swaps
• 13:20 Family Support, Fear, And Stepping Out
• 16:40 Early Feedback And First Sales
• 19:40 Business Setup And Boundaries
• 22:00 Caregiving, Burnout, And Therapy
• 27:00 Reclaiming Identity And Joy
• 30:20 Energy, Cooking, And Creative Flow
• 34:00 Community Events And Product Wins
• 37:00 Women’s Support Networks And Leadership
• 41:00 Pricing, Access, And Mission
• 44:00 Courage, Creativity, And Sharing Your Work
• 48:00 Lessons For Mothers And Makers
• 52:00 How To Order Mama D’s
• 55:00 Parting Encouragement And Closing

Transcript

SPEAKER_02: 0:00

Hey, hey, y'all. Thank you for tuning in today. Um, now I couldn't be MIA for all the time that I was and uh not bring y'all some goodness here. So um I got some making up to do. I know I've got some making up to do because uh, you know, we we we we've been away, tucked away for a minute, but we're back in a return to the scene with some great guests um with a range of experiences and perspective. Um, and today is no different. Uh, we are joined by wife, mother, and entrepreneur, the Miss Diane Jackson. Yeah, excited to have you here, and um, thank you for joining us today.

SPEAKER_00: 0:52

Of course, of course. I'm glad to be here.

SPEAKER_02: 0:54

Yeah, so um, I'm really excited to have you because um for those who know me and know my heart, um, we love, we love to watch the journey of a person and we love to um see people win. Now, you've won in multiple areas of life. Amazing mother, amazing wife, amazing friend, amazing community member. But um, you're embarking on a new endeavor. At least it's newer to me. It's newer to me. This may be brewing or may have been brewing for a while. Um, but talk to us about mama D's.

SPEAKER_00: 1:34

Okay, definitely. I'll do that. Uh, thank you for having me first. Um, but this Mama D's is definitely a journey. Yeah, back uh when COVID first started, um, you know, everything was rocky, people weren't really working and stuff, and yeah, we're just really trying to find where do we fit in to do things financially or what can we do to still do something and not just do nothing. So the kids, a couple of the kids, um, for years they've been asking me to put a cookbook out. Mom, you got to share your recipes. I was like, I don't know, I just don't want to do it. I don't think at the time when they asked that I was ready. You know, they were still in school, and I just I don't think I was in the right mindset as well for myself.

SPEAKER_03: 2:22

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 2:22

So around COVID, when they asked, I thought about it. Now, mind you, this is still part of Mama D's, but then you're talking cookbook. So I thought about it and I was like, that's a lot of work. But in that, you have your creative side with the kids, you have your blogging, you have your camera people, photo shoot. They were like, we'll take over and do all that. The kids? Yes, yes, kids. Yes, it was like we'll do everything, we'll set it up professionally so you can get this done. But we think this will be your thing. Because at the time I was just braiding hair here and there, whatever. And it was like, hair is not your thing, mom. Hair is something that's just providing a little income. But cooking is your passion, and you're in there cooking, creating, you're always cooking for large groups, family, friends, us, and people are always asking, what are the recipes? What is this? And we're like, it's a family secret, we can't get. So I told him I was like, okay, I'll give it a try. I said, but you guys gotta help me because I don't know where to start.

SPEAKER_03: 3:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 3:24

So um, maybe a year or two after I started the cookbook, and um, we had like a big photo shoot. It took us like three months, and it was definitely carried out professionally. I didn't know what all would go into doing this cookbook, but I was like, my God, the production side of it was a shocker for me. I thought we just take pictures of the food that I create, call the day. No, I get the call from Jazz, Mom, we need to sit on um this call, find out what your vision is. And I'm like, it's mom we talking to.

SPEAKER_02: 4:01

I love that though. I'm like, just tell me. Come on, kids, get us together.

SPEAKER_00: 4:06

They're like, no, we need to know what your vision is so we can bring this to life for our uh prepping and our set design or whatever. And I was like, okay. I said, Well, I am looking for something modern but nice, not too classy, but something that can be easy for everyone when they see these pictures. Yeah, so pretty much um I told him a person that I followed that I enjoyed how they cooked. Yeah, and I think it was Sandra Lee at the time. I like her whole setup. Everything was a theme, but it was color, and it was just her doing her thing. So I was like, but I want it to be in my own way, right? Yeah, so we set it up a week later. We did our first shoot. Um, they went and purchased everything for the prep set and everything. And we did like, I think we did five, we did five uh recipes for each shoot. So each meal was prepared. I had it prepared before they got here. And um, let me tell you, girl, I was like, how long is this supposed to be? Because my living room couldn't see the living room, everything's moved. And I said, What's with all the lights? Right, they done flipped it on, huh? I'm like, is everything okay? This is how we do on set, mom. This is what we do, and so I was like, okay, you just have to trust the process. Yeah, and so that's what we ended up doing. Um, it took like six or seven hours. I didn't know that I was stepping into something so big, but I think the first after the first shoot, uh, maybe a month later, we did the next, and then we did the next after. So about three months. Once that was done, um, I went through all the photos, everything, and then I was just stuck for a minute because I was like, I don't know where I go to choose my person for that's gonna do the book.

SPEAKER_01: 6:04

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 6:06

And I was like, Jasmine, make sure you you are doing what you need to do, make sure you are comfortable for anybody that published this book, make sure it's something that you want. I was like, okay. So when I came up with, I spoke with a couple people in Portland about knowing if they knew anyone that published cookbooks because I wanted to make sure it stayed with in line with what I was trying to do.

SPEAKER_03: 6:31

Sure.

SPEAKER_00: 6:32

And I did, I found a couple people that uh gave me some names of some people. But at the time, I'm in here in the kitchen creating this granola. Still, the cookbook is going, but this granola is over here. So one of the laot for the photo shoot for the uh five recipes, um, which is still gonna come out. It's still gonna come out. Um, I told Jazz, I was like, hey, I came up with this flavor for the granola. I said, I create in the kitchen when I'm thinking a lot, and this is where I do it. And I'm like, and I have to put it together. Mom, what is it? What is it? And this is like maybe a little bit, maybe a year in. We're still trying to do this whole cook with it. I was like, uh, it's a toffee, a vanilla toffee. Guys were like, vanilla toffee, yeah, we gotta do it. So they ended up coming through. I did the uh the toffee vanilla, the vanilla toffee with chocolate. And they were like, mom, that's it. They said that's it. Mom, this one, and so we got hooked on that, yeah. And then I was like, I have this another flavor, and it was like, mom, I was like, you know, I have to put it together because now I think my mind was still on the cookbook, and I still wasn't quite sure who I was gonna choose for the publisher. And when I'm in deep thought like that, things creative start coming in, and it was I know it's like it can be a lot for me, but I create when I'm thinking and you have to get in it right then.

SPEAKER_03: 8:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 8:15

Fast forward, I didn't find that person for the cookbook yet because I got distracted with the granola. Yeah. By this time, I already have like four different flavors of the granola. When I told Jazz about the other one, I was maybe like the fifth one. So when they came through, they tried it. I was like, Mom, this is it. I was like, but Jazz, I went on this trip with your dad. I sampled these uh in first class, they gave you this little package, and it was like a some little vegan cookie. And I was like, I came up with the butt uh cookie butter. She's like, Mom, yes. So I incorporated the cookie butter, which means that I mean, I'm telling you now, Janelle, we got 11 solid recipes. Seven, I mean 11. Come on, cookie butter took off. Okay. I thought the vanilla toffee did with friends and different people I was sharing with. Because up until then, I was doing batches of granola when the kids were in school for parents and athletes and stuff. They were like, Yeah, can your mom do this? But I left it that way, and then when the kids uh did the proposition about a cookbook, everything just started rolling from there. It's not that I got rid of the cookbook, I'm still on needing that publisher, but the granola took off big time. And I think it was more of a personal thing for me with the granola because growing up in LA, and I know you've heard a little bit about David's background, but I was one of the people that was stationed in the kitchen to cook, and I would cook loaves and loaves of bread. I think 67 with me and another person at the time, we were baking bread, but granola was my thing, and we would do like buckets and buckets of granola. By that time, I think we had like three flavors. So when I tried this granola thing at home, I changed everything based on how I was eating, based on how I was changing things about my health. But I wanted it to make sure that the people that do eat it um didn't suffer from problems. Like when I did it for the kids, I didn't change it. I just gave it to them. But by the time when I start changing how I eat and how I interact, but just how I feel personally, and I wanted to keep it, the granola going, but keep that same taste, I switched everything. I went from organic uh oats to gluten-free, people with sensitivity to stomach. Um, I changed the sugar to the agave because people with diabetes, um, people that have children. So all those things I had to take into account. And I think I was in a better space to come in and create. So I changed everything, added more flavors to it, and by this time, the husband got him in, was like, babe, you gotta try this, babe. He's like, babe, what you doing in here? You know what I'm saying? So he was like, We gotta do it. And I was like, I know I'm nervous. He's like, but how do you do things? You have to step out and do it. Yes, take a chance. He's like, you've already given things to the kids, your friends, let everybody else have a taste. But now you have to understand: is this something that you're ready to go into? I said, see, this is why I had to come to you later because I know you were gonna give it to me from the business side. Yeah, and I said, I get it and I appreciate it. I said, but I feel like I'm this mom going into this new business with some guidance, but this is new for me because now I'm coming out of my personal space to share with everybody else. And I think the anxiety part of it for me was when it takes off, will I run? Because I'm a runner. And when I run, I'm like, I can't do this, I can't do it, I'm I'm done. And so the kids were like, Mom, you cannot run. And so I was like, okay, I'm gonna try to stick this through. And what I started doing was trying it on uh different friends and stuff at the gym. Um, when I joined the gym, I was like, they were like, What are you up to? What do you do other than what OG does? And I told him, Well, you have to bring a sample. So I started bringing little samples, and it was like, Girl, I ain't never had no granola like this. Right. All that granola on the shelf be dry. I'm like, Yeah, more please. Yep. I was like, Yep, you never had it like this. And so they were like, You should really do something with this. We'll spread the word, we'll let other people know. But in the meantime, can you make me a batch of this? In the meantime, right? Hook me up. I was like, uh, let me just make it for you. I was like, No, you you a small business, you're starting, let's do this. And so I talked to the husband about it. Um, I was like, I think I need to get in business. He's like, okay, so what do you need to do? I was like, register as a business. Yep. So he went through all the steps with me. Yeah. Um, because I think right before that, it was really taking off. And I was just like, pump the brakes on everybody, like, hold up. Yeah, I'm not really in yet. Yeah, but I'm gonna be in, but it's a lot at one time.

SPEAKER_03: 13:31

Yes.

SPEAKER_00: 13:32

And so because I'm used to being in my element, being private with the things that I do, yes. Now I'm about to share this with the world, which means it's gonna be interviews, which means people are gonna want to know who is Mama D's? Come from behind there, we want to know. Yeah, and so I was like, Oh god, I don't know if I'm ready for this. Oh, but this is how it started, and then I got my first Mama D's invitation for hip hop day, yeah. And that went amazing. Yes, and I I'm I was just I think I was so blessed to have friends at the time that were around, and our kids went to school together, and they were like my sample friends. But I was telling them, I'm like, now that this is a business, I need you to give it to me straight. Yeah, I don't need yes friends, I need friends who's gonna say, girl, right, do that again, or that ain't right. And yeah, okay, okay. And so we did that. We played along with some of the recipes, and then I was like, okay, at the time, because I know I'm not, like I said, I'm not eating everything, but I knew that friends and certain family, and a lot of people suffer from diabetes and sensitivity to stomach. I was already letting them know that I switched this. Why? I'm like, because of these things, and they were like, Oh my god, thank you. Because that is the way I'm supposed to be eating, and then I won't feel guilty eating your granola because you're not using sugar. I was like, See? So I ended up switching everything. Um, my brother at the time, he's he he was doing his thing, and then he had jumped onto his um set with shooting and everything in terms of video footage. And so um, I shot my first video of me doing the mama D's granola step by step as I talk about it. And I was nervous. I was telling him, I was like, bro, I'm a runner. He's like, You don't get to run. If I have to jump in my element and do what I do, and I'm making this happen for me, going after my dream, you have to too, sis. You gotta do this. Come on, village. So I was like, okay, and then after I talked to Jazz, Nate, Mikey, all of the kids, I was like, this is what I'm doing, and if I'm gonna do it, and it was the idea that came from you guys, let me do this for you guys, create this so you can take over. If I'm no longer here, let this be you, yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 15:49

And so that's where it all came from.

SPEAKER_02: 15:52

I love that. That's so awesome. Look, um, because as a mother and as a just as a woman, right? Um, I know how easy it is. I'm not a wife yet, but as a mother, right? I know how easy it is to get lost in that sauce, right? So I can only imagine, like, and then uh a partner involved, right? A husband um or a wife, um, like um, you know, you're giving of yourself all day, every day. And that is passion work also. We we love our children and we love our partner, right? Like, and and you're trying to create this home and this life, and sometimes we forget about us, right? And what what is good for us, um, we forget to dream, we forget to connect to our passions, or we um um we sun our passions, like, oh, it's just a little, a little something, you know what I mean? And um, and so I love to hear this, and I love to hear how your family, even when you were trying to summon your passion, I love how your family was like, uh-uh, like we see you, like keep it moving, keep going, come on. This is what we need, okay. What's the plan? Okay, what what what has that made you feel like to have the people that you sacrifice all things for as a mother and as a wife pull behind you and say, We see you come to the front, ma'am. Come to the front.

SPEAKER_00: 17:33

It's it's interesting, Janelle, that you bring that up because if I go a little back when Dave got sick with the cancer, one of the things for me was to keep the kids doing what they do. I didn't want them to stop, any of them, all six. I didn't want them to stop what they were doing. I wanted them to know that I had it. Yeah, keep doing you, come through, visit dad, check in, but I have it. I didn't want that burden to be on them. And I took that burden on myself. And um, at the time, all the kids was graduated, some headed into college, some just working. And it was at a time where I just had said, you know, what do I want to do? I joined the bowling league, I started doing more things with my friends, and then when the cancer came, I immediately, it wasn't even a question, it was stop. Your husband needs you. And he was pushing more towards, no, don't stop what you're doing. I'm like, that's not even a question. I'm gonna ride with you first before anything. Yeah, those things are gonna be there, but I want to make sure I help you. So when I did that, I literally, no joke, I locked in 110%. Yeah, but in that process, I don't feel like I had the guidance and the motivation that I needed to say, while you're doing that, don't forget about you. Yeah, and so I fell into like a dark space where I was just functioning automatic. And it was a lot, a lot to take in because a lot of times I didn't feel like I knew if O was gonna make it. After 16 surgeries, and it just I never wanted him to feel like he was a burden or that it was a lot for me. So everything I did, I had to keep that together. Uh sorry. I would talk to different um women that I knew in the community, I was just like, it's not a lot. Yeah, but at the time I didn't know how to ask for a community to back me. So I just reached to a few individual friends. It was like, let me help you out here. At the time, Star was like, I'm gonna help you, but I'm in and out of being sick. Yeah, surgeries, but just let's not bring Dave and let him know. So I'm just gonna show up how I can. And that's how he was doing. And I just watched David fight, fight, fight, and then trying to keep the kids where they were was hard because they were like, No, mom, you you need us too. And I was like, I understand that, but I don't want you guys to stop your life. And the best thing you could do is pray for your dad and hope that he pulls through. A little bit ways um after David started feeling better. And he's still on his journey, and I appreciate where he's at in his space now. Yeah, but um, I think a lot of that had to do with uh pastoral guidance and the pastor reaching out and some of the members that helped him because I think sometimes we can be lost if we're leaders or community leaders or people that are of a status of helping others. Yeah, we can get so caught up in helping others that we don't really see that we need people to help us.

SPEAKER_03: 20:49

Yes.

SPEAKER_00: 20:50

And I think once David was vulnerable and open to that, he was able to see a little bit more how the help that wanted people wanted to give was passionate, and it was kind of like giving back since they knew he gave back.

SPEAKER_03: 21:06

Yes.

SPEAKER_00: 21:07

So after that, um I reached out to uh the doctor and I was like, I just I'm overwhelmed. And I think it was like after the two years, it's like I just I'm overwhelmed. And he was like, I knew you would get that place, but you kept saying you were fine and holding it together. We just gotta set you up with some therapy and stuff. And so I started doing therapy. At first, I was like, this is not gonna work. And then I was like, I was crash coursing with these therapists. I'm like, I can't do you, I'm not coming in here no more. You can't help me. You trying to tell me about my life, you know, and then eventually I would still show up. And they were like, Are you here with us today? Are you gonna stay? Because you know, we have nothing but time, we have a whole hour. You walk out, we still here. Yeah, and that's when I felt like, okay, I'm battling. And so I just kept going, kept going, kept going. And then finally I was at a place where I was like, I'm feeling freed enough to say, Diane, you let go of you. Now what are you gonna do for you? Yes, and that made me really take time to think like I don't know what I'm gonna do. Of course, COVID came. I'm still like going to the gym, but spent a little bit more time with Dave. And that was different too, because you get it, you get the chance to see your strengths, but you also get a chance to see, babe, we both need to find something because we both doing this. Yeah, yeah. We both spend our time, but after a while, you just be like, gee, you in my space. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So you know he's doing his thing, right? And DJing from from Zoom and all that, and so I'm over here creating and doing this stuff, and then I think it just all came together because it became natural, yeah. But me tapping in and then seeing the support from the kids because at first I was like, Y'all saying this, but are y'all gonna really do this? Because I don't want to do it if y'all not gonna support, yeah. And once I seen that they did that, and they seen the joy and the passion and what I was doing, and I'm always sharing, I'm calling like, guess what? I came up with you gotta get over here, and they were like, Mom, we're so freaking proud of you. We are freaking proud of you, yes, because we see for the first time you're doing something for you. You've done everything when it comes to the kids and raising the kids and whatever you do for dad, but we needed you to do something for you that you're passionate with, yeah, and make it yours. This is your baby, you the mama. We call you mama, yeah. Mom, my stepchildren, they always mama D, Mama D. So I put it together with the name, and that's how we came up with the mama D's. But back to what you were saying, it took steps to get where I was, yeah, and I feel a lot, a lot better. And I think that's why I was able to come here today with you and talk about it. At first, if it was years, I'll be like, nah, I do this one-on-one, me and you, Janelle, but nah. But now I feel like I'm in a better space and I can talk about it because I feel good about what I'm doing. Yeah, and I feel I have a solid team, and I feel like I have a solid. The kids are solid with me.

SPEAKER_03: 24:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 24:06

And they all, I just tell them, I'm like, I always tell them every time I see them, I'm doing this for y'all. This is for you guys, and thank you for helping me come out of that space to think and process that anything that I do, it's not being selfish. You're sharing this, mom, with people that are always asking, what do your mom do? What does your mom do before besides this thing? What does she do? And being able to do that and share with these fine recipes and the granola. Come on, it's been it's been really good, really, really good. So I'm always up creating, coming up with better ideas, and I didn't think it was gonna take off like it did, but after I did the first uh hip hop day, uh the Patricia Reese Center was like, Can we get you back? Oh wow, come on, so yeah, I've been their vendor uh for the shows, and I've yes, yes. So I'm like, I did the snack fest, and that was amazing, and I was honored to do that and share with people with the Patricia Reese, they were just like, We are in love with this granola.

SPEAKER_02: 25:15

They said more, please. You know what I love is that um so much. I'm trying not to let my mind go boop, boop, boop, boop, boop, because so many things as you're talking, and I'm trying to be good today, y'all, and keep it um you know, cute and within the time frame and not not going over here. But listen, so many things because part of me um is sitting here thinking about like lonely will, come on, because because sometimes we can think, and I've I say this all the time sometimes we think we know, and then you know, God comes in and says, Girl, move. I got this. I'm gonna I'm gonna tell you where we're going with this, right? And then it all opens up for you. But you know, you started with the cookbook, right? Right. That's that's the that's where you saw yourself going first, and that's where the kids jumped in. And then it was like, but this thing over here that you just loved and it was you were passionate about, and you were already in, and it was a release for you, and it was a safe space for you, a space of peace for you. You said when you were thinking, or when you're thinking, um, you you you you know lean in that direction. Um, and I think those are the best, the best things to see, you know, grow and blow because it it's not work, it's what you love, right? It's something I'm already invested in, and I love it. And I'm sharing it for the love of it, right? And with people who I care about and love about, just as like here, here, here. But it's the thing, right? Right. And yes, the cookbook is there, and that's another vessel, but but this is where it blows. And so I love that that um I love that that is that was the pathway for it because we we tend to think that we're smarter, right? Right, we tend to think that we know, right?

SPEAKER_00: 27:19

Right. I I mean I I stopped talking about the cookbook, yeah. But this is what I told, I think I told David and I told a couple of friends last week, I said, I'm not done with the cookbook, but I think how I was going about it, God switched it up because I think I did this my fourth time with the big events with the mama D's. I noticed that there were um a lot of people that were saying, Thank you for sharing with the community. Yeah, or thank you for switching this uh to something that I can have now. Yes, yes, because I have to make sure I you know watch these things with my help. I was like, absolutely. I was like, that was the first order of business for myself. But seeing how many people were open and receptive to me doing this, I told the kids and David the cookbook had to come later because they would already know who I am because of Linola.

SPEAKER_02: 28:19

Yes, the cookbook.

SPEAKER_00: 28:20

And timing, right?

SPEAKER_02: 28:22

Right, the timing is the timing, exactly, and that's why I say sometimes we think we know, and then God is like, ta-ta, yeah, not now, yeah, right? This this is what it is now, and this is gonna be where all things come from, right? Right is is is likely this. I think that's so awesome, and I love how you I love how your family got behind you. Um, and um part of me is sitting here also thinking about I hear you continuing to be so thoughtful and caring and giving of this endeavor just in as a whole, and you're talking about like for other people, other people. Is there a part of you yet that's connected to this being for yourself also? Have you gotten there yet?

SPEAKER_00: 29:14

Not yet, not yet, not yet, yeah, but I think I think it will come. Yeah, and I think the joy that it brings to me and the smile that it puts on my face is comforting, yes, with seeing others enjoy what I'm able to get.

SPEAKER_02: 29:37

And that's for you though. I think something that's for you. I talk to people a lot about understanding the difference between like um um being happy, right, living in happiness, and experiencing joy. Those are all three different things to me. Like, I can I can choose happiness every day because that's the type of person. That I am. I'm going to say, I'm going to wake up. I'm going to be grateful. I'm going to choose happiness even on my down days, even on my slower days, even when it's gray and we hate this northwest weather. That's right. I'm going to choose happiness every day because I've been granted the gift of life and waking up, seeing my family, my friends being a part of this world. And I know that's not the case for everyone. And so I'm not saying that as a talk down. I'm saying like that is how I, Janelle, approach it. Right. And I know that varies for many people. Um, and then happiness. Am I living, is my life um contributing to this daily happiness? Is it bringing me happiness? And like do I feel um um do I feel like I've set my life up in a way that is adding value to to um that is adding value and and creating some level of happiness for me? And then joy, it to me comes in that passion work, right? It comes into the things that I love that make my heart smile, that uh make me feel whole, that make me feel in community and connected. Like those are the things that are joy to me. And so when I hear you even say that it brings you joy, I think that that is a piece that is for you, not it is a lot of people get to not a lot of people find ways to tap into a regular source of joy, right? Right.

SPEAKER_00: 31:24

So I think that's with the granola, that's why I think it wasn't the cookbook first. Yeah, it's interesting you said that because one of the things that I've always taught the kids when I would cook dinner and they were like, Hey mom, can I help you? And I was like, Where's your energy? Yeah, yeah, I'm kind of tired. So just watch me then. Yes, and I would always tell them that when you walk into the kitchen or whenever I walk into the kitchen to create meals, I always come in with good energy. If I'm not feeling it, I don't create. Yes, because you're gonna feed people's souls whatever you get, whatever you want.

SPEAKER_02: 32:01

Would you come on? Would you come on now?

SPEAKER_00: 32:04

So I tell them this is how I create. And when those ideas and things come, and now that's when they eat, they're always like, I say, how does it taste? One minute, mom. And I just smile because I told them this is what I do, and I'm passionate with it. And I think God gives me, I said, it's just like you, whatever your craft is, He gives you ideas to create with whatever you're doing in your life. That's it, that's how I am.

SPEAKER_02: 32:35

You know what? There is something um I feel like I feel like society has gotten to a much better place around this. It's that it's it's um um it's acknowledged at a much higher level, and I think that's because we've evolved so much as a society. But let me tell you something about um household CEOs. That's what I that's what I call parents who the majority of their time is in the home and with their family and and and in um creating a space of wellness and peace and um um that is conducive to feeding and growing minds and souls and bodies like household CEO. That's why I call them. And and listen, that ain't for the that ain't for the faint of hearts. That's that that that that is that is that is a high-level job, and it is that not everybody is qualified for. That's right, that not everybody is qualified for. And and so I love to hear you talking in in that way, in in in in in like what you do, the energy that you put into it, the love that you put into it, that feeds the heart and the mind of your children. You know what I mean? That's where we see it show up at. And um, it's funny, one of the notes I made to myself as I was thinking um about you last night um was the fact that whenever I walk into your space, whenever I'm in your presence, I feel such light and love. It's such a beautiful energy that and it doesn't matter. And I'm like, does she have a bad day? And I know you do because you're human, right? But but the fact that every interaction that I have with you feels like love, and I don't see you often, yeah, right. But every time I see you, it's usually a run into, right? Right, or an event or something like that. Every time I see you, it's it's it's light and love and and beautiful energy, and it's real, yeah. Oh, let me tell you something.

SPEAKER_00: 34:53

I know you're an energy person. I know you sense it.

SPEAKER_02: 34:56

I know you sense it because I don't like it's bad energy, it's kryptonite to me, and I'm like, oh, and I'm a hugger, and so I hug to a lot of it is temperature check, right? Like I'm right, um, people take hugs for granted. Like, I love a good hug because it lets you know, at least to me, what a person needs. A person might have needed that hug for some days, for some weeks, for some months. A person may be presenting as everything's all good, but you hug them and you feel that energy, and you're like, let me squeeze you a little tighter because no, you're not good. You know what I mean? And so um, if I get like something that tells me ill, then I'm like, oh, absolutely not. Have a nice day.

SPEAKER_00: 35:38

Checks and bad, have a nice day.

SPEAKER_02: 35:42

Right, and there's a difference for me in like bad energy and like needy energy, right? Right, needy energy wants me to it makes me want to sit down, put somebody on my lap and just write them, right? Um, but that bad energy makes me want to be like, all right, later. But no, your energy is always so beautiful. Where where did that? So I had to come to a space, like it's developed philosophy for me over years, right? About how I want to present in the world and to other people and how to clear my space to be able to be that to when when when I'm coming into others. Where did that come from for you?

SPEAKER_00: 36:25

I don't know exactly where it came from. Um, like I said, when I went through, I know that I've always wanted, even when I was little, I wanted to surround myself with different people, people of different nationalities, people from all over. But I always wanted the good energy.

SPEAKER_03: 36:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 36:46

Because I've been through so much as a child, yeah, I wanted the good to outweigh the bad.

SPEAKER_03: 36:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 36:54

And even before I even uh started the family with David, I was reluctant of doing it because I was like, I don't want to bring any energy of anything that may have affected me in my past to children that I bring here. But I also wanted to reflect on my past as who made me who I am today.

SPEAKER_02: 37:16

Yes, yes. I always say I don't wish my childhood on anyone, right? I I wouldn't be me if I didn't have that experience. Exactly. So I have to, I have it's my way of honoring coming to the other side of the world. That's right, right?

SPEAKER_00: 37:31

Yes. So that that for me has been, it's interesting you asked, and no one have ever said that, but that's what you see, that's who you see today. Yeah, and I told my kids if it wasn't for those experiences and the things that I've been through, I would not be who I am today. Yeah, I said I can talk about it today. I don't have to, it's not even an emotion for me, it's actually a relief. That was me crossing over to who I am. So it feels amazing. Um, every day I feel, I told my kids I get up and I'm like, God, thank you, Lord, I'm alive. Thank you, I'm able to see another day. Yes, thank you for allowing me to be here with the people that I love, watch over them. Always praying that every day I wake up and I feel I feel good about it every single day. This is let me tell you, when you were texting me, I had all these texts, and I'm in this kitchen, literally creating another flavor. My phone is just where it's at, and I'm like, okay, someone said this. Now I need to incorporate this. How am I gonna do this? Girlfriend of mine just kept on, it'll be nice if you could do like this salty pretzel. It'd be nice. And I was like, girl, stop with the pretzel, stop because you know I'm still over here creating everything else in your orders.

SPEAKER_01: 38:59

Yeah, and then that day came when you hit me up, and I was like sweet and salty chocolate covered pretzel.

SPEAKER_00: 39:08

Girl, come on, what come on? So I was like, babe, I'm gonna have to talk to you later. I gotta get to the store, I gotta take care of this, this, this. He's like, You're good, I'm good. But while my mind is fresh on it, yeah, and I can see it's it's almost like a computer screen. These are all the things that you need to do.

SPEAKER_02: 39:27

That's how my brain downloading it, yes, it comes as a download, and you gotta address it in that moment or else you might lose it.

SPEAKER_00: 39:36

That's right, that's right. And so I nailed it. I seen some friends at the gym, and they were like, Where were you? We didn't hear from you last night. I'm like, girl, let me tell you. Whipping up that work. I was ripping up that work, right? And so I did it and I was like, wow. So by the time I get to the next event, I'm set on these. Yeah. So I uh be after I did the snack fest and I was introduced to come back to the Reese, the Patricia Reese. I said to David, I was like, he's like, so what what flavors are you gonna do? I was like, I just came up with this hot cocoa with roasted marshmallows. He was like, What? I said everybody liked that time. It's fall going into winter, and I'm like, hot cocoa, apple sauce.

SPEAKER_02: 40:26

Someone's seasonal.

SPEAKER_00: 40:28

And it just took off.

SPEAKER_02: 40:29

I love it.

SPEAKER_00: 40:30

It just took off. And so I think the joy that you see is because this is my baby and this is what I do. And now that I'm able to share it with others, I feel good about it, but I also enjoy watching their faces light up when they like I went home, told my mom about it. I told my this, can I get 10 samples? And I also hosted um a birthday party for a young lady. Um, I think she was turning eight, nine. And the video will go up soon um with the mama D's, but I finally got to meet her. Her mom wanted me to create, you know, the granola snack packs for her there, bags for the kids.

SPEAKER_03: 41:13

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 41:14

I was like, now mind you, you run into people, you know Danielle, how you say you run into people and you don't have to see them every day. I literally see this woman once a year. At the same event, yeah, and even David would mention I went to this event, I seen your friend, I'm my boyfriend, such and such. The woman that always asks about you, babe. Yeah, always say, give you your give you her hug, give you my love. And I was like, Oh wow. And I'm like, I don't know what I really did. He was like, You just being you. Yep, you just being you. And I remember when I seen her uh this year at the Maurice Lucas, and she said, I am so proud of you.

SPEAKER_01: 42:00

I was like, what?

SPEAKER_00: 42:02

Because I didn't tell anybody about the mama D's. She's like, I heard that you have a canola dis and I'm like, yeah, Mama D's a bit. She's like, wait till I tell my mom back in Africa. And I was like, Oh, okay. She was like, No, you really need to understand. Us as women, as moms, we do so much. Yes, and I'm so proud of you for sharing that because that part of you that you're sharing is peace, yeah, is love, and it's the thing that draw me to you, Donna. I didn't know what it was. I just told my mom and Africa about you, and she's like, You need to bring you her here. You bring her here. Yeah, and I'm just like, she's like, I need you to do this for my daughter's birthday. At least 50 kids let me know what I need to do, and I need to get you in my school. I was like, wait, what? She had no idea that one of my goals was to get vendor machines in the schools for the kids. And I just want this to be everybody. I can't even someone asked me how far you want Mama D's to go, I said, as far as the Lord allowed me to take it. Yeah, I can't even say what that is, it's just as far as I can share it. And even on pricing, I've had people that are in financing that were saying, Okay, based on this, and looking at how you stay here, you're gonna lose out on this. I want to share it with the world just not to get risky. Yeah, and I want to make sure that everybody can afford this.

SPEAKER_02: 43:38

Yes, accessibility, right?

SPEAKER_00: 43:41

But if you change this to this, I'm not changing it. Yeah, I'm at peace where I'm at. Yeah, that's I don't know, I just had to share that. But I meet so many people that I'm able to sometimes it's better for me. I told them, just sample. I don't want to say much. You come back, you tell me what you think. And they're like, Diane, Diane, Diane. You acting up, and I'm just like, yeah. Come on, right, with granola.

SPEAKER_02: 44:11

Like, yeah, and I with granola of all things. This must be like the most plain, like you know what I mean? Like uneventful type of uh uh, you know. I mean, I eat granola, I eat it, I don't, I I snack on it sometimes, like the chunks, um, um, or I'll put it in my yogurt. Um but um, but yeah, it's it's like okay, another layer. So go figure, right? Right. Something is making people go bananas, right? Such as when I do them. I've said I've been in a store.

SPEAKER_00: 44:46

I sample, I'm always buying other people's granola. Yeah, I'm always sending out what I think about it.

SPEAKER_03: 44:52

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 44:53

And I I would tell David all the time, he's like, What are you trying? I'm like, You gotta try this person's granola, it's a banana nut. I said, I and I I even critique it. I'm like, what I do love is this. I do love the packaging. Yeah, I love this, and I'll send the email say this was more than 110. You did amazing on that. Or I love that this one, I don't know how far that's gonna go. And so it was like, babe, I'm like, but I think it's important to have truth in what people like and what they don't like. That's important to me. And I told David, it only makes me go to create and make it better. Yes, I don't see it as a downfall at all. Okay, what can I do to make this better?

SPEAKER_02: 45:36

I love how it it, at least from the outside in, it feels like it's like this buildup of courage, right? Because um, our creativity is such a vulnerable space, right? And sometimes it could be scary to allow other people into something that we hold so sacred. I I'll speak for myself on this, right? Like that's where our creativity is. Um, oh, my favorite, um Erica Badu. I'm an artist and I'm sensitive about my shit, right? Right, that's right. Like I hold it so close to me that if I'm sharing and releasing it, like that is my heart. I'm handing you because this is my everything, because I love it. I I do this, like it tapping into that regardless of the coins attached to it, makes me feel that's right, wealthy, yes, yes, rich, yes, you know, as a person, which is sometimes why I think like how you're saying it's it's not the dollar amount for me. Like I think that's that's that's what that's that space of love. Um, and and it's like holding it to yourself. It it's almost like your head's gonna explode.

SPEAKER_00: 46:52

You gotta share it with someone and you can hold it in. You have to share it.

SPEAKER_02: 46:57

Yeah, that's how it feels for me. And so the kudos you're getting along the way, it's like giving the courage to take it to a larger audience, like step by step, inch by inch, mile by mile, right? Like, okay, okay, it's getting bigger, bigger, bigger, bigger. The more you share it, the more your courage and confidence is building. Um, and and and now you're like, I'm ready to share with the world. That's true. That's so beautiful. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00: 47:22

That's a process, though, right? Yes, it is a process. Yes, it is. I I've even noticed that a couple of people are like, you know, since I've been watching what you do and are helping you with everything with the mama D's. I really, Diane, I've really left, went home and asked, what do I like and what am I passionate about?

SPEAKER_03: 47:41

Yes.

SPEAKER_00: 47:42

And that make me feel good. Like, what? I'm like, so what do you like to do? Yeah, let's do it. Yeah, I'm like, because we as moms, we can be so caught up in, and and I'm speaking for myself. Yeah, be the best mom, be the best wife, make sure your dinners on the table. Yes, all those things are great things, but what I've learned in there is that you can't let go of you without me loving me, yes, and doing what's passionate for me. I'm not gonna be good for nobody else. It does not matter how well it's done. And I've learned that I wouldn't have been able to get up and know what to do if it wasn't for this. Yeah, I was just stuck here, like do everything else for them, do everything else for the husband. And I remember years ago, Dave's like, I was like, I want to do something. He's like, So what do you want to do? And I was like, I don't know. He said, something right, I said, You said something, and he's like, No, I I can tell you only about me, but you gotta know what that is, and I cannot tell him for the Janelle. It was frustrating me. I'm like, I don't even want to ask because I know you're gonna say you're gonna put it on me. And he was like, Yeah, because babe, you are your own individual. That's what the pastor said, his wife said you have your own identity before you are anything else. Yeah, and that's important because you were created by God and the people that are drawn to you just because of what who He made you out to be. So don't let go of who you are. Yeah, be who you are. When you shine, when you give, it'll shine even more. So I used to feel guilty and I used to feel don't say the things that I'm doing or working on. And my pastor was like, Why? I was like, because I guess I was taught a little like as consider bragging, and it can be hurting the person that is not blessed or feel like they're in a bad space. He's like, Did you ask for the blessing? It's like, yeah, why can't you shout about it? He said, You hear me in the sermons. He said, I know y'all don't want to hear it, but I'm happy. God bless me with this. Yes. Now he said, Let me get off of me and let me get back to the sermon. And I was like, Yeah, he's like, Don't hide that. No, and so right then I think for me, it just was like, I'm Mama D's. Ain't nobody gonna tell me nothing different. I know what I'm creating, you're gonna love it. I'm gonna take me below it. Yep, so I just took off from there, and I was like, I feel like right now I'm I'm I'm feeling warm, and I'm just like, I am on here sharing this with Janelle, but I'm sharing it with whoever hears or see this, other moms, other wives. Yes, you can do whatever it is you can do.

SPEAKER_02: 50:36

And that's what part of why I was so um excited about this is one because honey, I love to celebrate another woman. Okay, yes, one, and and two, I love I'm in, I'm I'm I'm in love with with sharing the journey, right? And and this is part of why I do this podcast, is because I think um individuals in general, but I'm gonna speak specifically to women, and I'm gonna even more specifically to black women, like I think that that we um we at all costs get through it. Yes, we get through it, you know what I mean? Like it's in us, it's in our blood. Like, if I don't do it, who else gonna do it? Uh we gotta get it done because it's gotta get done. Yep, it might be uncomfortable, but so what suck it up. It's like like all of the things we just get through it, get through it, and that's what we're taught to do is get through it, get through it, get through it, get through it. Um, but the cost of that is ourself, right? Right a lot of times, and so I think that this conversation is so important. Um, and aside from just celebrating you and this beautiful place and space that you're in in life and business, um, I I think about how you sharing your story is going to be something that someone else needs to hear, right? For where they're at in life, for um what they may be trying to accomplish, for maybe them feeling like they keep hitting this brick wall of trying to connect to themselves, um, or or people keep putting to the side um the need to connect with themselves, right? Sometimes people are like, I'll get to that later. I'm fine, I'm fine. We're always fine, even when we're not, right? But we're not. And I think it's okay to say when we're not. I think it's okay to say when we feel lost. It's okay to say when we feel stagnant, and that doesn't make us weak. It's quite the opposite for me. It's what makes stronger. That's right. Because saying it sometimes the here's the tricky thing like old school ways are like, keep your business to yourself, nobody else needs to know what you're going through. I I remember somebody when I was younger, they were like, Don't share your dreams with anybody because they'll just try to knock them down. And I'm like, as I got older, even my story just about my my life and my childhood, I I I shared it and I've shared it since I was young because I started understanding the power of it as a young person. Um, and and I felt like that is who I am, and who gonna check me for it? Like, who's gonna tell me that I'm not great because of what I've been through? Are you kidding me? But right, and so and so I think that this this transparency and you being so um gracious and courageous and sharing your story with us today is going to do so much for somebody who didn't even know they needed to hear it, right? You know, right, so I'm thankful.

SPEAKER_00: 53:45

I am too, I am too. I was I was thinking about this the last few days. I was like, I just hope I can just speak from the heart. Yeah, yeah, that's the best I can do is from the heart, and I I I'm smiling because I uh I'm grateful, I'm definitely grateful, and I'm grateful that at a time where our kids didn't know, but for them to throw something out there, them knowing how important they are to me, I just seen it different. And I don't think if it would have came from a friend or anybody else, I would have been like, all right, girl, yeah, whatever. But from your kids who say, You've done it all. Now let's see something that you do that you enjoy just passionate, and they see you're not passionate about this, you just do that. We know that, but we know where your passion lies, and we see that when you're creating mom, and you're creating you're you're an artist in your own way. And I was like, Yeah, it's like no, and you're doing a beautiful job, and we all are so proud of you and I. I I that's that's very dear to my heart, even the kids, David, even my mom, you know, and I think I'm in a better, I'm just starting to build different, even with my mom, but for her the same proud of you, yes, it was a lot, it's a lot for me, and that's all I want is that even before I leave here, that I leave that no matter what happens, I left a good impact on people, yeah. And it was all genuine, and it was all love, and it was all God because I wouldn't be able to bloom like this flower. I am girl, I can't, I can't.

SPEAKER_02: 55:29

Come on, come on, you better.

SPEAKER_00: 55:33

I can't. I told David, I'm like, the cookbook, what are we talking about?

SPEAKER_02: 55:36

Cookbook, you know I'm on the roll. Let me get in there, we getting there. Time in time in. Yes, I love it. Well, tell or or if two things. One, tell everyone um where they can follow you um and reach you. And if you're at a place where you're taking orders and um from um smaller or larger places, how people can place an order with you. Yeah, tell us, tell us the news.

SPEAKER_00: 56:09

So, yes, so I do have the um an IG page right now uh for Mama D's. It's Mama D's LLC. Um, people can go on there and follow, um, and you can reach out by DM and everything right now because I didn't want to do like a website just yet, but with the Mama D's um business, people are able to be transported over there and then put in orders, personal orders, and then I have a mailing list for people to leave their personal information for updates of where I'll be at, where they can pop up, yeah, events, and still be able to get uh whatever they need. And no order is too small. Whatever they order, we provide. And I know with the holiday season, uh some people want it for um stock and stuffers or just you know, for their grandparents and different people, and I'm doing that now. So if you do go to Mama D's, leave your information, and then I'll be contacted to go ahead and take care of everything because I am the creator of everything I do, and I have, like I told you earlier, kiddos run that. So they get at me and I'm like, okay, I'm on it. I'm on it. And when I find other people with which I know I have friends and stuff, but when I find other people to understand the in-depth of when you come into the kitchen commercial or whatever, the energy has to be the same. I can't let anybody touch that without that energy. Yeah, um, tired, fatigued, irritated. I can't because it creates the taste that ain't gonna be good. And I just I just want to keep it that way.

SPEAKER_02: 57:48

So even though it's not soul food, it's soul food. Or should I say, even though it's not soul food, it's food for the soul.

SPEAKER_00: 57:56

Food for the soul, but that's what my cookbook is. You didn't even realize that. It's mama D's cooking for the soul. Yes, yeah, come on, I'm not playing. That's the cookbook front of it. Um I love it.

SPEAKER_02: 58:11

See, mama D's cooking for the soul. Let me tell you something. This is the power of authenticity, though, right? This is the power of authenticity because I said that based off of everything that you're presenting today about you, right? Like that's the energy I'm getting from you. So that's what I see is food for me, right? Right. Yeah, right. You didn't even have an idea. Yeah. Uh-uh. Uh-uh. That's great. I love that. I'm so excited for you. Y'all make sure, go give a follow. Um, those follows are important, those likes are important. The the um paying attention to the journey, showing up at these spaces, um, um that um, you know, she's informing you guys that she's at. I know we can't make it to everything all the time, but when you're able to, make sure to pop up, make sure to support, make sure to check her out, make sure to give her some love. Yes. This is a woman on business. This is a black woman on business. Um, and so let's let's let's make sure that we are getting behind her, y'all. And um one last thing that I want to ask is um just in reflection, right? Just just in thinking about your journey and um and where where you are based on where you started. And I'm talking, I'm not talking about financially, I'm talking about just um, you know, as a human, you know, your spirit, your mind, your thought process. Um what lesson or message can you share with folks um that might be encouraging to them um if they're in the same space as you?

SPEAKER_00: 59:59

Still. I can definitely say yeah. Encouraging is definitely whatever you decide and whatever you you feel that's important to you, whether it's something that you don't think other people will get, go after it. Share it with the world, go after it. Because what you might think is small, they won't get it. It will someone get it. And I think that's the thing that was able to get me out of my own little space of, oh, I'm just doing this because I do it.

SPEAKER_03: 1:00:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 1:00:45

No. I've affected other people, and that's why I'm doing it. And I didn't realize where this would go and what it would do because I think I was so consumed with making others happy. And I was like, if I tell people and share this, they're not gonna get it, they're not gonna like it. But that thing, that thought in your mind is not a good thought. You have to step out of that, you have to take the leap, you have to do it. And I hope I'm able to encourage people and other women to just step out of whatever that comfort is and share it. Whatever it is. I started surrounding myself with women that have gone through the journey, maybe different stories, but they're where they are today because what they come from. And that was definitely an encouragement for me to understand too, but you ain't the only one. That's a lot of us out here. But if you never step out, you'll never get to know that because you stay in your own little bubble, your own little circle. And so I just start trying to make it a habit of getting out, yeah, seeing people, running to people, or going to certain things that happen to do with women. Women impacting other women is important.

SPEAKER_02: 1:02:03

There is nothing like, and I will say this, and I I stand on this with all ten of my toes. There is nothing, nothing, nothing more powerful than a fierce village of women behind you. Right, that's right, that is right. And guess what I'm saying that for? I'm saying that whether you're a man or a woman. That's right, right. No, I'm not just saying that as well. I'm saying that the the the covering, the protection, the vision of a woman is elite. That's right. Elite. That's right. Um, you know, um, and so I'm not saying that there is nothing um powerful in men either. I'm saying have a have a good village of women behind you and see how you soar.

SPEAKER_00: 1:02:54

Right. Right.

SPEAKER_02: 1:02:57

Because you got the it's power in men, but huh? They show up because of us. Yes, yes, and and it's very different. And and right, and and the and I respect I respect that, right? And and it's not me um belittling or right um or or taking away from the presence um in the covering of a man either. I'm not saying that either. I'm saying that, and also two things can be true at once, right? And also, that's right. Get you a village, that's right, that's right, of women behind you and and and and watch how you take off. Well, listen, my heart is full today. I am grateful to have you here. I'm I'm grateful for you sharing your story, I'm grateful for your transparency. Um, and let me tell you the the gymnastics that my mind was playing here because I could have taken this a whole other hour because there were so many things that I wanted to tap into that you said that I thought could be important for folks to hear. But I was on my best behavior today, y'all. And I didn't, I, I, I didn't um uh run over too much. We're a few minutes over, but um thank you so much for being here. Thank you for sharing. And I'm so excited to see everything that is going to continue to unfold for you. And I am praying for you um for your ability to continue to create vision, um, for your ability to protect your vision, yes, for your ability to continue to find peace in what you do, may it not even at times when it feels laborious, may it always bring you happiness and joy. And I pray that it turns into something um that is fruitful for um your entire family. And um, and I um I I think that this story is going to um just touch the lives of so many women um because we all have been in this place. I don't care who you are, right? We've all been in this place. And this is these are the stories that make us feel human, right? And these are the stories that make us understand that we're not alone in our journey because sometimes it's so easy to feel like it's it's just me going through this. Am I tripping? Am I tripping? Am I tripping? Right. No, you're not tripping. That's right. You're not, you're not. Um, and and speaking about it, um, there's something so therapeutic about that because when we think about it, it sounds very different than when we speak about it, right? Right. And there's a different power that we give um our dreams and our desires when we say them out loud. That's right. That is right. So thank you so much for being here.

SPEAKER_00: 1:05:42

Thank you so much, Janelle. I appreciate this.

SPEAKER_02: 1:05:45

Yes, and you guys, thank you for tuning in. I appreciate you for being here with us today. Uh, be well, y'all.