Iesha: Finding confidence through work

The beginnings
The Real Jam and Chutney Company started as a small operation, but it has grown in ways no one expected. When Katie was hired to run the workshop, they thought they’d be making products three days a week, doing paperwork on Mondays, and making deliveries on Fridays. Fast forward to today, and the business is buzzing! They now do deliveries twice a week, and their products are flying off the shelves. The business has expanded, and they’ve been able to keep loyal customers while also gaining new ones. Word is getting out about the tasty jams, chutneys, and the wonderful people behind them.
Katie, who came with a background in special education teaching, has done an incredible job growing the business. But more than just increasing sales, she’s made it a space where the people she supports can learn, grow, and contribute. One of the key people in this journey has been Iesha.
Iesha's story
Iesha is a vital part of the Real Jam and Chutney Company team. She handles the labelling of all the jars, counts them out, organises them, and makes lists for anything that needs reordering. It’s a big job, especially when orders come flooding in during busy periods. Iesha takes it all in stride and has even set herself some pretty impressive goals along the way.
‘I just sit here and hide away,’ she laughs, describing her work in the labeling room. ‘I can actually take my time.’ It’s clear that the independent, calm atmosphere suits her, and she feels confident in the work she does. Iesha started small, just learning how to put labels on jars, and gradually built up her skills. Now she’s able to label hundreds of jars in one go, and she’s even set records for herself: ‘I did 200 jars in one day’.
Iesha is incredibly proud of what she’s achieved, and it’s clear that she’s gained a lot of confidence in her abilities.
‘I can sit here, do it totally independent, and I’m very proud of myself for doing it,’ Iesha says, sounding content with how far she’s come. Her work ethic and drive have been key to her success, and she’s learned to work at her own pace, setting her own goals and smashing them.
The Importance of the Work Environment
One of the things Iesha really enjoys is the space she works in. Unlike some of the other areas that are shared with the kitchen or the vegetable patch, Iesha sits in a quiet space to do her work. It’s the kind of environment that allows her to focus and take her time. ‘I can actually take my time,’ she says again, noting how much she appreciates the calm atmosphere.
Katie has created a space where Iesha feels comfortable and independent, and that’s made a big difference in the quality of work she does. ‘I like the space I have now,’ Iesha says, appreciating her own little area where she can work without pressure.
Support from the team is also a big part of Iesha’s success. She and Katie help each other out during busy times, and they’re always there to give each other a boost when things get stressful. ‘If I’m stressed about something, Katie will know’. Iesha says, laughing about how Katie can tell when something’s on her mind. ‘Katie can read me like a book.’ They make a great team, and that sense of support really shines through in their work.
New Labels and QR Codes
With the recent rebrand of the Real Jam and Chutney company, we recently introduced our colourful new labels, complete with QR codes that link to our website. At first, Iesha wasn’t sure how the new labels would go, especially with some jars needing multiple labels. But she quickly got the hang of it and now finds the process easier.
‘I thought to begin with, I thought it would be quite difficult to put on. But it’s OK. It’s easy, right?’ she says, reflecting on how the new labels have become part of her routine. Iesha also understands the importance of the QR codes in giving customers more insight into the business. ‘It definitely helps people know more about us,’ she says, with pride that she gets to be part of the story.
Iesha’s journey at the Real Jam and Chutney Company has been nothing short of amazing. From learning the ropes of labelling to hitting personal milestones like labeling 200 jars in one day, she’s become an essential part of the team. Her growth in confidence and skill is a testament to the supportive, independent environment that Katie and the team have worked so hard to create.
‘I think we’re all pretty quite proud of ourselves, really,’ Iesha sums up, clearly content with her role. The work Iesha does has been crucial in helping the business thrive, and her sense of pride in her work shows just how much she’s achieved. The Real Jam and Chutney is not just a business—it’s a community where everyone feels valued and supported.

A Connection to the Garden:
Iesha also enjoys working with the team to pick fresh ingredients from the vegetable patch. Whether it’s rhubarb, cucumbers, or the chillies they’re growing, it’s a fun way to connect with the food they use in their products. ‘It’s nice to see it, really. All done,’ Iesha says with satisfaction after helping out with the harvest. Working with fresh, local ingredients adds an extra layer of pride to the products they make.

Christmas and the Marmalade Rush
The 2024 Christmas season was a busy one for the Real Jam and Chutney team, and it wasn’t just the regular jam flavours that were flying off the shelves. There was a lot of marmalade being packed up, especially with the release of the new Paddington film, which brought in a lot of orders.
‘We had a lot of marmalade going out,’ Iesha recalls. ‘With Paddington and the new film and all that.’ The extra orders kept Iesha busy, and she didn’t hesitate to rise to the challenge.