Meet Gail Jennings | Owner, King’s Pepper

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

Hi Gail, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started this business because I wanted to share the fantastic taste of King’s Pepper with the world. King’s Pepper is an award winning spice blend that’s based on a centuries old West African recipe which I make without salt, peanut or msg. King’s Pepper was born in Los Angeles, but raised to new heights in North Carolina.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I restarted King’s Pepper when I moved to North Carolina. I had a good run in Los Angeles, selling my spice blend at Farmers Markets, in a few specialty food stores and at cultural events, but I never gained the traction I wanted or the funding and distribution I needed to grow the business. Since moving here I’ve had great support for my small business via workshops, courses and grants. I was really excited to be featured in the New York Times cooking section last year. Melissa Clark published my recipe for Gumbo’s Daddy, a West AFrican soup I make. Orders for King’s Pepper came pouring in from all over the country for two days after that.

My background is in television production. I was working full time and taking on more responsibilities which clashed with the time I needed to work on King’s Pepper. I’m proud that I’m back and selling more than ever. I’ve won awards for my products, I’m in several stores in the Triangle and love meeting people and finding new customers whether at the State Fair or the State Farmers Market in Raleigh.

The first business, or rather sideline I started was making earrings from 35mm film. I’m a folk artist who recycles vintage trailers, commercials and editorial elements into earrings. I was a finalist in the Made In NC competition this year for making a pair of earrings from the trailer for The Color Purple.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Saturday morning, we’d start at Durham Central Park for the farmers market and surrounding craft fair. We’d definetly hit Cecy’s Gallery and Studios, twice in fact. Once on the weekend, and again during the week to shop for souvenirs. We’d walk around downtown and hit shops like Exotique, Ninth St. Bakery then drive through the neighborhoods to check out the sites and scenes. Many of my friends who visit and thinking of moving to the area, so we’d do some open house events, then settle down after a good walk, maybe at West Point on the Eno. Southpoint Mall for dinner and a movie and one of the children’s museums if little ones are involved.

I love the energy on college campuses, so we’d cruise by NC State, Shaw University, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill and North Carolina Central University.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been blessed to have the support of my family as I’ve grown the business. My husband, Melvin Mitchell in particular has been the one who has to listen to me the most, but my son-in-law, my grandsons and daughters all have contributed to the staying power over time. But I want to Shoutout WE Power Food, a great non-profit organization that supports women entrepreneurs in the food business. The work they do and the support they give is awesome! I’ve taken courses, workshops and spent plenty of time at You Tube University, but through WE Power, I can call on a fellow businesswoman who can relate to what I’m going through and get answers, support and encouragement based on real life experience. That’s what WE Power is all about. Learn more about them here: https://www.wepowerfood.org/

Website: www.kingspepper.com

Instagram: @kings_pepper

Facebook: King’s Pepper

Image Credits
Photo of Gail in the kitchen: Photo credit Jeremy Lange for the New York Times.