Preserving Flavor, Embracing Innovation: The Jackie’s Jams Journey

By ICIC | June 25, 2025

It started with a stubborn kid and a sandwich.

Back in the early 2000s, Jackie’s Jams was a single table at San Diego’s Ocean Beach farmers market. Jackie—yes, there really was a Jackie—sold small-batch, handmade jams made from local fruit. Her tripleberry jam was an instant hit with one young customer named Jonah who, after one bite, refused to eat sandwiches with anything else.

Jonah’s parents, Risa Baron and her husband David, soon became regulars at the stand. They returned week after week, amassing a collection of glass jars and a deeper appreciation for the care and quality behind every spoonful. Over time, conversations with Jackie turned into a friendship. When Jackie was ready to pass the torch, Risa and her family stepped in—not to reinvent Jackie’s Jams, but to continue the legacy she had started.

“We fell in love with what Jackie created,” Risa says. “The flavors, the care, the connection to local farmers—it just felt like something worth preserving.” 

Today, Jackie’s Jams still operates with that same heart. The company crafts small-batch jams, jellies, and marmalades using fruit grown by farmers across Southern California. Every batch is cooked slowly and stirred by hand. No artificial anything—just fruit, sugar, lemon juice, and time.

Grown with Care, Grown with Community

As a woman-owned business rooted in local sourcing and community relationships, Jackie’s Jams has grown steadily over the years. But like many small businesses, scaling has presented a unique set of challenges—especially in a digital-first world.

Since 2018, Risa has participated in ICIC’s ICCC program multiple times, gaining new insights and connections at each stage of her business journey. ICCC is an executive education program focused on helping small businesses in under-resourced communities build capacity, improve operations, and access capital. The program delivers intensive training, expert mentorship, and connections to a national network of business leaders and support organizations.

Risa joined her first ICCC cohort in 2018, returned in 2020 to build on that momentum, and most recently completed the Digital Optimization Alumni Program in 2024. That specialized track focused on enhancing online visibility and digital strategy.

“For us, ICCC has been a backbone of support over the years,” Risa says. “It’s not a one-time experience. It’s a relationship. Every time we’ve come back, we’ve taken away something new and incredibly helpful.”

Strengthening Digital Strategy with Braven Agency

That long-term relationship with ICCC eventually led to a powerful partnership with Braven Agency, a marketing firm that helped Jackie’s Jams sharpen its digital presence and tell its story more effectively.

Led by Founder and CEO Roberto Martinez—an ICCC alum himself and recent Innovation Summit speaker and pitch contest finalist—Braven Agency specializes in helping entrepreneurs and brands scale with purpose. Their approach blends analytics, creative design, and human-centered strategy to build customer loyalty and deliver results.

“One of our biggest challenges was learning how to bring our story online in a way that felt authentic,” says Rojan Taleban, Media Director at Jackie’s Jams. “Braven helped us step back, see the big picture, and take our digital marketing to the next level.”

Braven worked closely with Risa and Rojan to improve their website, refine their messaging, and build a more intentional online customer experience. The result: a stronger brand identity, increased engagement, and a clearer path to growth in digital sales.

Innovation Rooted in Relationships

At Jackie’s Jams, innovation doesn’t mean big leaps. It means thoughtful, steady progress. Whether it’s finding more sustainable packaging options or expanding into B2B markets like restaurants and hotels, every decision is made with care.

“ICCC has helped us be more strategic,” Risa says. “Not just in how we grow, but in how we grow responsibly.”

Innovation, for Risa and her team, also means staying connected to their community and customers. From the farmers they source from to the loyal shoppers who first found them at local markets, relationships are central to how the business operates.

“We’re always looking at how we can do better—for our customers, for our partners, and for the planet,” Risa adds. “Innovation, for us, is about continuous improvement. It’s not flashy. It’s foundational.”

Advice for Fellow Entrepreneurs

As Jackie’s Jams looks ahead to the next five years, Risa and Rojan plan to deepen their presence in San Diego’s food scene, strengthen the brand’s visual identity, and keep improving their digital strategy.

Their message to other small business owners is simple: don’t do it alone.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Programs like ICCC exist for businesses like yours. The mentorship, the training, the community—it’s all out there. You just have to say yes.”

Rojan agrees. “Keep showing up. Keep learning. Growth doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from small, intentional steps, supported by people who believe in what you’re building.”

About ICIC’s ICCC Program

ICCC is a 40-hour “mini-MBA” designed for established small business owners who want to lead, grow, and innovate in today’s fast-moving world. The ICCC program brings together executive education, networking, one-on-one coaching, and access to capital—empowering small businesses in under-resourced communities to break barriers, build stronger companies, and drive community impact. This expert-designed curriculum is offered at no cost to qualifying businesses, thanks to ICIC’s funding partners.

To learn more and apply visit icic.org/iccc.