Mattie Miller shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Mattie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
As many entrepreneurs know, there are times when you just want to quit. I have felt the urge to quit a few times. And I know if I do, I will regret it! I had started the business a few years ago and I did quit and I have regretted it since.
The knowledge I have to put recipes together has been given to me as a gift from God and I will always treat it as such. I don’t know why God gave me this ability but I don’t take it for granted. I also acknowledge he doesn’t need me to do this, he wants me to.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Growing up in an Amish home of 10 kids was normal, I remember soon after leaving people would ask how many siblings I had and when I responded with, I am the youngest of 10. People would ask me what that was like? I didn’t really think about it. It just was. I didn’t know anything different. Same with Growing up Amish! I didn’t start thinking about leaving until I was 15 or so. At that point the more fences my parents wanted to put around me the more ways I found to get outside those fences. At age 9 was the first time I took horse and cart to town by myself. I didn’t need a license for it, I had grown up in it and I knew how to handle the horse, so I could do it. At age 13 I had my first babysitting job where I was allowed to go the clients house to watch the kids. But I didn’t get the money for it. All the money went to my parents to help with family income until I was 21. I didn’t have a bank account or know how to handle money until after that. If I needed something my parents got it for me. Having 10 sibling with 5 sisters most my clothes were hand me downs. It was less expensive that way. I don’t remember getting new clothes until I was a teenager. I have always known I was meant for a bigger life so to speak. Learning I can make recipes is just one way that I know God has a plan for me and its up to me on how I carry that out.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I grew up being taught that in order to get to heaven when I die, I needed to stay in the Amish church. I was taught that God saw fit to me being born in an Amish family so now I need to stay locked in. And especially after I was baptized as a member. I now know that God is not especially interested in religion. He is more interested in relationship! Like building a relationship with anyone, I have to spend time with someone to get to know the person. I learned to spend time with God and get to know him for that relationship with him. I also believe that if I want to do something and I set my mind to doing it, I will get it done. Just because I only went to school to 8th grade does not mean I am limited to what I can accomplish. Mindset is essential.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
About 6 years ago I was at an event called (at that time) No Excuses. I remember the day I gave myself permission to grow. I had gotten to be around people who didn’t see me as less then. They believed in me! They kept asking me what I wanted to do with my life. and also telling me, no matter what I wanted I could do it. They showed up for me! It was the day I knew I would no longer use my past as a crutch. I stepped out in faith and started making decisions. baby steps for me and what I felt God was showing me. I didn’t always get it right! Stumbled and I fell! I kept getting reminded to get up again! It was also the time when I learned that you can not drive a parked car. I took many roads and some ended up in road blocks and I had to turn around, and I kept moving. My point is get out there and experience life. You will always be able to say you tried even when it doesn’t work out.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Meeting people and creating relationships and connections. For Christmas this year I asked my kids to not get big expensive gifts. I really just wanted time with them. I wanted to save the money to go visit my mom sometime this spring again. She is 92 and who knows how much longer she will be with us. Who I am in public is also who I am in private. Getting to build the life that I want is an amazing journey and I get to choose who I take with me in this journey.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I can only hope people remember me for my fun and exciting recipes and how I was able to create them, and what most saw as accidents. To me they were more about divine intervention, (happy accidents) I have people calling me their jam spouse. Creating flavors that make people remember where they got the jam and creating connections/relationships with those people is very important to me. I hope to be remembered for being kind and loving people no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mattiesjamsjellies.com
- Instagram: millmattie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattie.miller3
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MattieMiller780
Image Credits
Martha Stutzman
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