Feature - Rosa Maria's Kitchen

I was quite surprised to find food shops on Etsy when I first started selling there. But I've since found some really good ones! Rosa Maria's Kitchen is a wonderful shop! I've tried the taco seasoning and the Dry Jerk Rub. We liked them so much I've re-ordered them :) Now I really want to try the Strawberry Daiquiri Jam. It looks sooooooooo goooooood!!!
Rosa Maria's Kitchen is offering a coupon code for the next week!!
BLOGFEATURE for 20% off
I may just get that jam after all!!

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.

- I'm from a small town in Northeast Ohio. My parents were raised in the same town, graduated a couple of years apart in school and were highschool sweethearts. I grew up about 5 miles from my husband and we graduated high school together. We dated on and off in school but I wouldn't really call us high school sweethearts. We were married last July surrounded by everyone we hold dear to our hearts. I graduated college with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. I currently work as an Applications Chemist - I test chemicals in their final state - plastics, rubbers, PVC, wood plastics. And I actually love what I do. I have a cat that I love dearly - Bella. She really is my baby - especially since we don't have children. I enjoy cooking but I'm not so found of doing the dishes :)

*How did you decide on your shop name?

- That is probably the easiest question! My grandmother was a very influential person in my life. When both of my parents were working, I would spend the day with her as a little girl. Her name was Rosa Maria. She passed away about 5 years ago and I still miss her dearly. She was always in the kitchen and you could never go to her house without eating something. So when starting an etsy store related to food I knew that I would have had her blessing. This way her name and spirit still lives on. Maybe it is her blessing that has helped my store to succeed.

* Why did you start your business?

- I actually started my business because I had so many extra Hot Pepper Jellies in my fruit cellar from the year before. They stay good canned for several years but I have seen that several other etsy stores selling this product were doing very well. So I thought I would give it a try. Not it is a part time job!

*What are 3 things you want people to think when they see your product?

- I want to try that!
- That sounds interesting!
- That would be great on ...

*What do you do when you’re not being an artist? What activities do you enjoy?

- Well, I have a full time job - Monday thru Friday - job. After that I enjoy dabbling at photography. I have another store that sells that - NoteablyRelaxed.etsy.com. I have a neice & nephew that I enjoy playing with. And in the summer I love to be outside. I also love to travel - just recently returned from our belated honeymoon in Hawaii. It was absolutely beautiful and can't wait to go back.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?

- Pumpkin Apple Butter - it takes about 2 hours to make. And while it is cooking the house smells wonderful. I just had a large order of it for a wedding and the house smelled great for days!

*If you could give a piece of advice to a new shop - what would it be?

- Keep trying! At first it seems like no one is noticing your work. You have to keep listing, network - make friends. Every little thing you do helps. Second, treat your customers great. Throw a little something extra in. If you keep them happy with your product they will be more likely to come back again.

*Are there other places on the net we can find you?

- RosaMariasKitchen.blogspot.com

- www.twitter.com/RMariasKitchen

- NoteablyRelaxed.etsy.com