Jenny McCain is a woman of many talents. By day, she’s a practicing attorney helping clients navigate a complicated legal landscape. In her off hours, she’s whipping up something much sweeter as the owner of Woodhill Cottage, a small-batch jam company.
Inspired by her grandmother’s entrepreneurial spirit, Jenny channels her creativity into crafting jams that Birmingham locals — and many around the South — have come to love. Get to know Jenny and learn more about her journey from attorney to artisanal jam maker!
Tell us a bit about your upbringing.
I’m a blend of “food and finance.” I’m a Birmingham native who has lived in Charlottesville, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; and Austin, Texas. I come from a family of entrepreneurs.
In 1947, my grandparents founded McCain Manufacturing Co., Inc., a children’s wear manufacturer. My grandparents started the company with two sewing machines in the back of an airport hangar, and the company, at its height, was the largest manufacturer of children’s wear in America. My great-uncle founded McCain Uniform Co. in the 1940s as well.
Before we dig into your jams, tell us about your “day job?”
I’m a shareholder at Maynard Nexsen, formerly Maynard, Cooper & Gale. I provide legal advice to banks and other financial institutions throughout the Southeast. I’m essentially another member of my clients’ executive teams, helping them set and achieve business goals while navigating the complex system of banking, regulatory, and corporate laws.
I think growing up in a family of small business owners makes me a better lawyer. I understand they aren’t making decisions in a vacuum but in complex business environments. I love what I do, and I love my clients.
Who introduced you to the art of preserving?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t cook! My amazing grandmother, Ruby McCain, was a home economics major at Howard College (now Samford University) and chief operations officer of the children’s wear company she founded with my grandfather right after World War II. She was a lovely blend of business and home. She loved trying a new recipe and setting a pretty table as much as she loved landing a new customer for McCain Manufacturing.
My grandfather planted a garden each year, and I’d stay a week at a time with them in the summer. Ruby and I spent many a day in her kitchen, “putting up” (as she called it) vegetables from the garden and making jams and conserves.
My grandmother had a profound influence on me. We spent hours and hours together, conjuring in the kitchen and talking business. I think starting Woodhill Cottage is, in a way, another example of her influence.
What inspired you to start Woodhill Cottage?
It’s my creative outlet. I love being a banking lawyer; I couldn’t have a better career. I have the best clients and am grateful for all of them. Woodhill Cottage allows me to stretch a different part of my brain and use another set of skills. I like to create and produce — Woodhill Cottage allows me to do both.
How did you turn a hobby into a full-fledged business?
For years, when I gave the jam as gifts, neighbors and friends told me they thought there was a market for it. For example, when a friend in Augusta, Georgia, first tried the strawberry preserve, she exclaimed, “That dog will hunt!” That encouragement led me to the decision to start the business.
How did you develop your range of flavors?
My friends and family gravitated toward strawberry, peach, and tomato. For years, I’ve brought biscuits and jam to friends and neighbors. It’s been my version of the “welcome to the neighborhood” pound cake.
I also like to give jam as Christmas and hostess gifts. Everyone loves strawberry jam, so I usually plan to make a lot of it in the spring and have it ready for Christmas gifts. And peach jam is just special. We always called it “Sunshine in a Jar,” and folks just raved over it. I added tomato jam to the roster because it’s so good.
What makes your jams unique?
Our strawberry and peach conserves taste like the actual fruit, and the tomato jam is unlike anything else on the market. As our customers say, our Woodhill Cottage Strawberry Conserve is the “strawberriest.” It tastes like actual strawberries and isn’t too sweet. And our Woodhill Cottage Peach Conserve is just like fresh-peeled and chopped peaches.
One of my favorite time savers is to use our Peach Conserve when a recipe calls for peeled and chopped peaches. I’ve found that a one-for-one substitution in recipes works beautifully. I first tested it with a peach pound cake recipe that called for two cups of peeled and chopped peaches. I substituted two cups of Woodhill Cottage Peach Conserve and actually thought the Peach Conserve made the pound cake better.
Now for the showstopper: our Woodhill Cottage Tomato Jam. The perfect blend of sweet and savory, our Tomato Jam goes with everything. One taste, and you’ll be hooked. My favorite story is the Christine’s on Canterbury customer who bought Tomato Jam. On her way back home to Montgomery, she ate the entire jar and immediately called Christine’s wanting 24 more jars for gifts! People stop me all over town raving about the Tomato Jam.
Were there any challenges you faced as you started your business?
We started with Ball Mason Jars, which quickly became exceedingly difficult to find and more precious than gold. As orders came from all over the country, I realized early on that we needed custom shipping boxes. As you can imagine, the jar size determines the shipping box design. As I looked for new jar options, I also was looking for sources for custom boxes. It all came together, but it took time and a lot of thought.
What has surprised you about the journey?
The biggest surprise has been the incredible response to our weekly emails and Woodhill Cottage recipes. I regularly get emails from customers around the country who tell me about their favorite Woodhill Cottage recipe. Currently, the Tomato Jam Cheese Thumbprints, which freeze beautifully, and the Oven-Glazed Peach Hot Honey Chicken Wings are getting the strongest customer response.
Where can we buy Woodhill Cottage products?
All of our products are available on our website. It also lists our retail locations, which are throughout the Southeast. I’m proud to say we are carried in the best stores.
What advice do you have for beginner entrepreneurs?
Start small and be committed to quality. Also, there isn’t a “right way” to start a business. When faced with a challenge, be practical. Figure out how to get from “A” to “B.” Don’t worry about how it is supposed to be done.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
You don’t have to be best friends with everyone, but you can be nice to everyone.
Name three things you can’t live without.
A challenge, good-looking and comfortable shoes, and mirth.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite jam flavor? I get asked that a lot. Usually, my answer is the Tomato Jam, but I find myself reaching for the Peach Conserve more and more these days. Give it another month, and my answer will be the Strawberry Conserve. Our Strawberry Balsamic Salad recipe is one of my go-tos.
Favorite activity when you’re not making jam? I love history. On the weekends, we often jump in the car and head out to explore other parts of the state. We call it galavanting, and it’s become a passion of mine.
Who or what is inspiring you? Our founding fathers and the work they did to establish our country, the greatest on earth. Earlier this year, I visited Mount Vernon and had a one-on-one tour that was beyond inspiring.
Favorite places to eat, shop, and play in Birmingham? I love trying out new restaurants, but I often end up at Bricktop’s or Bottega Cafe. I frequently stop by LadyBird Taco in Mountain Brook Village to pick up breakfast tacos. By the way, nothing tops a breakfast taco like our Woodhill Cottage Tomato Jam. For shopping, I’m generally at one of our local specialty or antique shops (my favorites include Christine’s, Alkmy, Revival Birmingham, and Black Sheep Antiques in Harpersville) or at one of our garden shops (Shoppe Birmingham is always on my list). Walks on the newly renovated Jemison Trail and needlepointing with a cup of coffee are my go-tos for decompressing.
What book is on your bedside table? I just re-read Atomic Habits. I’m looking for a biography of Margaret Rudkin, founder of Pepperidge Farm.
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