Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mattie Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Mattie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
The Roots of My Work Ethic: Growing Up Amish
Work ethic isn’t something I learned from a book or a seminar, it was woven into my life from the very beginning. Growing up Amish, work was not simply a task to complete; it was a way of living, a rhythm that connected family, community, and faith.
From a young age, I was taught that every hand had a role and every job mattered. Whether it was tending the garden, helping in the kitchen, or caring for animals, the lesson was the same: diligence, responsibility, and pride in doing things well. There was no cutting corners, because the work wasn’t just for yourself—it was for the good of everyone around you.
I watched my parents live this truth every day. Rising before dawn, they faced each task with quiet determination and an unwavering sense of purpose. To them, hard work wasn’t about achievement or recognition—it was about integrity. That example shaped me deeply.
Even after leaving the Amish community, those values remain the foundation of who I am. I carry with me the belief that if a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing right. That resilience has guided me through the challenges of building a business and pursuing my dreams.
Today, when people ask me where my work ethic comes from, I smile. It comes from early mornings in the fields, from the sound of my mother’s sewing machine late at night, from the lessons of simplicity, perseverance, and community. It comes from my Amish roots, an upbringing that taught me the true value of hard work, and the joy of creating something meaningful with your own two hands. This is what I have to go by as I create and build my Jam business
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
For me, making jam isn’t just about fruit, sugar, and jars, it’s about sharing something real, something made with love and care. I grew up learning the value of hard work and the joy of creating food from scratch. Today, I carry that same passion into every batch I make.
What I enjoy most is knowing that every spoonful of jam I make can brighten someone’s day, whether it’s breakfast with family, a thoughtful gift, or a sweet moment of comfort. I do this because I believe food should bring people together, spark joy, and remind us of the simple goodness in life.
Mattie’s Jams & Jellies is more than a business, it’s my way of sharing a piece of myself, my story, and my heart with you. 💜
I’ve always believed that business can be more than just making a product, it can be a way to give back and create hope. Alongside growing Mattie’s Jams & Jellies, one of my biggest dreams is to create a nonprofit for young ladies who find themselves pregnant and unsure if they can step into motherhood.
So many young women face fear, loneliness, and the feeling that they aren’t enough. I want to build something that wraps support around them, a safe place where they can find encouragement, guidance, and practical resources to know they can be a mom and that they don’t have to walk the journey alone.
The jam business is the starting point, not just to create delicious products but also to fund this mission. My vision is that with every jar of jam sold, a piece of hope is shared. A portion of the profits will go toward building this nonprofit, creating programs, mentorship, and resources that help young women choose courage over fear and find strength in community.
It’s about more than jam. It’s about spreading love, support, and empowerment, one jar, one young mom, one life at a time.
At Mattie’s Jams & Jellies, growth is more than just selling more jars, it’s about spreading joy, flavor, and connection. We’re focused on expanding our reach while staying true to our roots of handcrafted, small-batch goodness.
✨ Local to Regional – From farmers markets and small shops in Northwest Montana, we’re building partnerships with specialty stores, cafés, and local gift shops across Montana and beyond.
✨ New Flavors & Seasonal Collections, We’re experimenting with unique, bold flavors and limited-edition seasonal releases that keep our customers excited and coming back for more.
✨ Wholesale & Retail Expansion, We’re working to make our jams more widely available by growing our wholesale network and strengthening our online shop, so customers everywhere can enjoy them.
✨ Community Connection, Growth also means giving back. We’re weaving community support into our business by connecting our jam sales to causes close to our heart, including supporting young moms.
✨ Brand Visibility, Through social media, email newsletters, and storytelling, we’re sharing not just our products but the heart behind them, building a loyal community that believes in what we’re creating.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Work Ethic & Perseverance
Growing up Amish taught me the value of hard work and not giving up when things get tough. Running a business, especially one built from scratch, takes long hours, sacrifice, and resilience. That foundation carried me through challenges when quitting might have felt easier.
Advice: Build habits that strengthen your discipline, set small goals, follow through on them, and treat challenges as training grounds for perseverance. Consistency is more powerful than bursts of motivation.
Adaptability & Willingness to Learn
Starting with jams and jellies, I had to learn so much outside my comfort zone, branding, marketing, sales, even navigating business structures. The ability to stay open to new knowledge and adjust when something wasn’t working was essential.
Advice: Stay curious. Read, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to start messy. Seek mentors and communities who are a step ahead. Every setback is feedback that makes you stronger.
Connecting with People & Storytelling
Sharing why I do what I do, whether through my work ethic, my love of creating, or my vision to help others, built connections with customers and supporters. People don’t just buy jam; they buy the story, the heart, and the values behind it.
Advice: Practice sharing your story, even if it feels small. Focus on being authentic, not polished. People connect with honesty and passion more than perfection.
👉 If you’re early in your journey: Start small, stay consistent, be a lifelong learner, and don’t underestimate the power of sharing your “why.”
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
The biggest challenge I face as a small business owner is financial restraints.
While I pour my heart, energy, and creativity into my work, there are times when resources limit how far and how fast I can grow. I believe in the vision and the impact of what I’m building, but I also know it takes more than passion, it takes collaboration.
If you’re someone who values community, innovation, and supporting small businesses, I’d love to connect. Whether through partnership, investment, or creative problem-solving, together we could turn challenges into opportunities and create something bigger than either of us could alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mattiesjamsjellies.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millmattie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattie.miller3
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MattieMiller780
Image Credits
Gary Stasy, Imageryenlightened
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
