My name is Josie Danek and I fell in love with freeze-dried candy while I was on vacation with my family. Together with my mom we created Jo + Mama's a place to find cool new ways to enjoy your favorite candy, along with some healthy options to balance out the sugar! Peace, Love, & Treats
Jo + Mama
More About Me & How JoMama's-Dried Treats Started
Let me start by introducing myself. My name is
Josie, and I am 9 years old. I have 3 older brothers who are 100% into sports, often leaving me alone to find my activities. The business idea started on a beach walk with my mom during our summer vacation. We stopped at a snack shop that offered samples of freeze-dried skittles. The taste, crunch, and enjoyment hooked me instantly. I mentioned to my mom that we should start a freeze-dried business together and call it JoMama’s (Jo for Josie & Mama for my mom). Immediately I went on my tablet to search for ways to start a business and what it took to freeze dry candies and fruits. My mom loved the idea and boom JoMama’s was started. I first went to my neighbor’s apple orchard called www.frostyappleorchard.com and bought a bag of fresh apples. A week later I returned with my dad to have them a try freeze-dried version from their apples. The owners loved the taste and invited me for a follow-up meeting. I felt like I was on Shark Tank at this meeting, but the Orchard liked my product, packaging, and label. They offered me a spot in their barn to sell Freeze Dried Apples alongside the orchard’s tasty apples. I was very nervous but enjoyed meeting all types of people and customers. My mom and I (JoMama’s) ended up selling our Freeze-Dried Apples every weekend during the 2022 fall apple season at The Frosty Apple Orchard. We called our freeze died apples “JoMama’s Frosty Freeze-Dried Apples”. After the fall apple season, JoMama’s focused on freeze-dried specialty candies, protein powders (fruits, coffee creamers), and even ice creams. We offer many different varieties, and we have been selling them at various bazaars and the Dexter Winter Farmer’s Market. I am now learning more about selling, general business, website design, marketing, and customer likes. The best part is that my three brothers are all jealous and want in on the business.
