Meet Nicole Jackson | Founder/Owner of A&K Spices and More

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Initially, I never saw myself as an entrepreneur. As I got older, I felt like there was more to me than simply working behind a desk or a 9-5. I also wanted to leave something for my children to help give them a sense of responsibility and entrepreneurship, and was determined to be successful at whatever I set my mind to. Failure was not an option, so

I started doing what I knew I was good at: cooking! That wasn’t enough for me, though. Soon after I started catering, I created my own seasonings and sauces. Since starting out on a new venture, I’ve come to realize how much of a passion it has been with starting my own seasoning line. Being a new mother of two year old twin girls, I am more determined than ever to show them they can start one thing, begin another, and be anything they want to be or do, with a lot of hard work and dedication.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Mompreneur. Full time mother, Chef and now founder of an online seasoning line; A & K Spices and More.

In 2018 my husband and I found out we were pregnant with twins. I immediately began planning to be a new mom after 20 years and also balance a full time job. After many discussions we decided it would be best if I stayed home with the babies. It wasn’t easy giving up my 9-5 and I didn’t want to just be a stay at home mom. So I did what I knew best; cooking. I did catering as a side hustle but decided no time like the present to dive in and do it fulltime. You know the saying “you make a plan and God laughs.” this is so very true. .

It wasn’t easy being a new mom of twins and starting a new business; then the Covid19 Pandemic hit and all events were cancelled. So catering was now out of the question. I prayed and asked God to show me a way, I asked him what is it he wanted me to do, I didn’t want to stop cooking, but wasn’t sure what I should do. That’s when my phone rang; it was my homegirl; she wanted to know “what kind of seasonings did I use when I made that pork roast?” I told her I will just make her my combination. She called me and said it was as if I were there. Next thing I knew I was making seasonings and sauces for other family and friends who told somebody, that told somebody. So I decided I would try this out. This was the birth of A & K Spices and More.

I named it after our Twins Annelise and Kayleigh, I added the “and more” because I wanted to leave room for growth. This is a new passion for me. I even make seasoning gift sets etc. Never did I think I would be giving out my secret seasonings; but who am I to disobey God. God deposited the blueprints and laid my foundation and I’m just going to keep building until he moves me to another position.

I am excited to see where this new venture is going to take me and the endless opportunities ahead.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When my best friend comes into town she always asks me to cook. When we do go out. I always take her to El Sombrero, she loves Mexican Food. We also would go to Gnats Landing; they have great food and drinks. I would also have to include Sum’mo Tea and Things and Tandoor and Tapp for best Indian Cuisine.

We would have to definitely then go to Pooler. We would check out the outlet and then get something to eat.

Great food, drinks and conversation is always a good time when my friends and I get together.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my family and closest friends. They have pushed me on days I wanted to give up and throw the towel in. They have been there to listen to my rants, venting, crying and my joy. They are my taste testers, marketing management, graphic designers, and HR.

A special shoutout to my husband for believing in me on days I didn’t believe in myself. He is the reason I decided to turn my dreams into my reality.

Website: www.akspiceshop.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/_akspices

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