The Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Pellissippi State Community College is helping entrepreneurs across East Tennessee turn ideas into thriving businesses. This year’s recipient of the center’s 2026 Rising Star Award is one example of that impact.
Jammin Jams TN, owned by Maryville-based and self-described “Jam Lady” Janice Hullett, has been recognized for its remarkable growth after years of guidance from the center.
Jammin Jams specializes in gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan-friendly and low-sugar specialty jams that rely on ripened fruit for sweetness and are completely free of additives and preservatives.
“We’ve been working with Janice for several years and have assisted her and watched her move from selling at farmers markets and doing it out of her home, to selling in places like Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort and Ancient Lore Village,” Tennessee Small Business Center Director Gregg Bostick said. “Just the way she’s grown her business, that’s a true success story.”
Hullett began making jams “just like Grandma made back in the day” as a hobby with the standard favorites including strawberry, peach and blackberry, or specialty flavors like apricot jalapeno or blueberry lavender.
“We’re as natural of a fruit product as you can get,” Hullett said.
The Small Business Development Center has provided invaluable coaching and networking opportunities, she said, offering her a vision of what her business could be. With Bostick’s encouragement, she began partnering with wholesalers interested in purchasing her jam by the case.
Hullett is honored to be recognized as a Rising Star.
“We love what we’re doing,” she said. “We have a great team. Teamwork makes the dream work, and we just love providing a tasty and delicious product that brings back fond memories. Every jar we make tells a story.”
Bostick said the Small Business Development Center has helped Hullett and countless entrepreneurs like her formalize business plans, outline growth and marketing strategies and conduct financial reviews. As a result, clients of the center have exceeded sales goals and expanded their businesses.
The Small Business Development Center itself has surpassed many of its annual goals, with several months still to go. The center’s goal for the year was $16.5 million in capital formation, or loans, equity, cash and other investments in client businesses.
Year-to-date, the center has seen more than $19 million invested into client businesses – approximately 120% of its goal.
The center has already achieved its goal of helping launch 38 new businesses, served around 425 clients and created or retained 418 jobs – achieving its goal for that metric by more than 200%.
“We serve seven counties, and we owe a lot to our clients past and present across East Tennessee who have introduced their peers to the Small Business Development Center,” Bostick said. “I think that has a lot to do with our success – people who are committed to the mission and the vision of what we do, and working hard for our clients.”
Pellissippi State Community College is a public community college based in Knox and Blount counties in Tennessee and operated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. The college operates four campuses: Hardin Valley, Blount County, Strawberry Plains, and Magnolia Avenue.
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