three b’s story

Growing up in Newberry, Florida, Brandi Britt Boswell was introduced to gardening: from planting to picking, she and her family were consummate gardeners, and Brandi learned all aspects of the craft — including cooking and preserving their home-grown produce. No matter the crop — whether it be cucumbers, onions, okra or potatoes — one thing was certain: there was going to be some jarring going on after the harvest! And the bounty wasn’t limited to their own garden: it wasn’t unusual for Brandi to join her father in picking the wild blackberries that grew alongside the local country roads, which her mother would later turn into fresh cobbler or homemade jelly. If it was preserved, young Brandi would diligently check the jars to make sure they’d properly sealed; she still remembers the sense of victory and enjoyment brought about by hearing the “pop” of a well-sealed jar.

The love of creating homemade jams was instilled in Brandi at a young age, and having continued the pursuit throughout her adult years, Brandi still could not have predicted the pivotal role it would play in her life. But after husband Matt was laid off by the film industry in 2020 — a casualty of the COVID pandemic — the two found themselves, like many others, at home with a lot of time on their hands; to occupy themselves and keep their spirits up, Brandi turned to her favorite pastime, traveling with Matt to local fruit farms for fresh-picked produce. They’d return home with their bounty, where Brandi would transform the goods into delectable jalapeño pepper jam.

At first just an exercise to keep busy (and maintain sanity), Brandi would share the freshly-sealed jars with friends and family at social gatherings, or give them away as unique gifts. The reactions were so impassioned, and the follow-up requests so frequent, that husband Matt would repeatedly implore her: “Brandi, you really need to start selling these.” Somewhat skeptically, Brandi tested the waters by posting about her homemade delicacies on social media before the Independence Day holiday; after over 100 fervent responses, the Boswells suddenly found their free time in short supply, as they retreated to the kitchen to fulfill the sudden influx of orders…and a business was born.

Together, Matt and Brandi have four children, married for 12 years, 2022 is going to be the year that they experience “empty nest syndrome:” their oldest will be graduating from college, and the three youngest will all graduate high school and leave for college next year.

Side note : in one of those amazing life coincidences, Brandi’s twins and Matt’s youngest share the exact same birth date and year.

Throughout their marriage, Matt and Brandi had poured all of their combined love and commitment into their children; now, they will have plenty of time to pour that energy into three b’s jams. Over the years, Brandi had asked herself numerous times, “What will I do when they all leave?” Now…she has her answer!

Through patience, faith, and trust, God has opened a new door for the two jam partners.