Meet the Artisan: Lauri Jo Bennett
Our Meet the Artisan series continues today with Lauri Jo Bennett of Lauri Jo's Southern Style Canning. Our subscribers will recognize Lauri Jo's name since we featured her delicious Georgia Peach Salsa in the August subscription box. You might also recognize Lauri Jo's name from the October 2016 issue of Southern Living magazine—way to go, Lauri Jo!
Lauri Jo's background
Lauri Jo Bennett is a wife, mom, former teacher, and entrepreneur in Norman Park, GA. Lauri Jo took her family tradition and personal hobby of canning—along with hand-written family recipes—and built an award-winning business. Her company produces southern favorites like pepper jellies, pickles, and more.
Lauri Jo told us that throughout her married life, she had canned fresh vegetables for her family, using the canning plant at a local high school. Now, Lauri Jo does all her canning in-house in her very own 4000-sq-ft processing facility. We're inspired to hear that Lauri Jo has achieved such success, from very relatable beginnings!
Lauri Jo, when did you launch your company? Tell us why you decided to launch.
"My business launched in September of 2009 from a much loved hobby. After giving away gifts for my husband's trucking company made of fruits of my labor from the summer at the canning plant putting up salsa, jams, soups, and pickles, I decided to see if it really would sell. Here we are today in over 1,200 outlets."
Since you launched, what would you consider to be your most successful product?
"Our most successful product is our Southern Pecan Pepper Jelly."
What has been a true highlight of launching your business?
"I think I would have to say my biggest highlight since launching our business would have to be getting emails and notifications from people across the US telling me how much the love the products and the different ways they use them. I also love traveling the Southeast speaking and sharing my story while promoting other great Georgia Grown Entrepreneurs as well."
Thank you for sharing your story with Georgia Crafted, Lauri Jo!
You can order Lauri Jo's Georgia Peach Salsa here on the Georgia Crafted website and be sure to keep your eye out, on our site, for more of her products this holiday season!