What do you do when the successful job or business you have worked in is no longer fulfilling you or your passions? How do you find the 'next' right thing for you to create? We sat down with Jan Hogrewe to hear her story of leaving a successful career running her film production company on the Warner Brother's lot to stumbling into a new career that fulfilled her and rekindled her passions. But it didn't happen because of some wild plan. It simply started by solving a problem she was facing (too many figs) and what to do with them. She remembers canning fruits and berries with her family as a child and started making yummy fruit spreads to save the figs from going to waste. When people loved what she was making she realized that this may turn into a new business. Just Jan's was born!
In today's episode, Jan shares how you can turn your search for more in life into a new career, the benefits of healthy 'good' products, working in Hollywood, and taking risks that pay off.
Links
Just Jan's Website
Just Jan's Instagram
Recommended Reading
L.A. Son: My Life, My City, My Food
About Jan Hogrewe
After building a successful business and following her professional prowess in film production, Jan Hogrewe just didn’t feel fulfilled and truly happy. This entrepreneur, film producer, former tap dancer, and mother of twins felt an itch for something more— and Jan was about to uncover her Jam.
With an overabundance of figs from her Kadota Fig Tree, Jan tinkered with recipes to create a spread before the fruit went to waste. She created so many jars that she began to share them with colleagues, family, and friends who marveled at her hidden talent. Soon after, Jan found herself experimenting and expanding with an assortment of fresh- made and all-natural spreads, curds, and marmalades—uncovering a bountiful joy and budding passion.
Just like a line out of a film, Jan was asked a single question that redirected her path completely when a friend tasted her jam and introduced her to a food industry professional... “He tasted my jam and said, ‘Wow, I really like this. It’s better than what’s on the market. Would you ever be interested in doing this for a living?’ and I said, ‘sure!’”
Founded in 2010, Jan embarked on an incredibly successful venture with Just Jan’s full line of artisanal, all-natural fruit spreads and sauces.
“Just Jan’s started by accident for me. Making jam was just something I loved doing for family and friends. I had no idea this was going to be a business. Then I was asked the right question at the exact right moment.”
Whether some may call it destiny, the Law of Attraction & Manifestation, or just being bold enough to pursue a new passion... either way, it’s a sweet victory for Jan, who continues to put healthy and happy smiles on the faces of those who taste her marvelous marmalades.
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