Life & Work with Sarah Beth Downey of Green Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Beth Downey

Hi Sarah Beth, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I spent the first 18 years of my life in New Orleans, where I learned to really appreciate good food. I come from a long line of entertainers and foodies and I love to try new things. Last summer, I bought some hot honey at a farmer’s market in a small town outside of Nashville. I had tried hot honey before on pepperoni pizza, and I loved the salty/sweet/spicy combination. I brought the hot honey on a trip with a good friend of mine, Elizabeth Moore. Elizabeth co-owns Bits and Bobs (which you featured in a previous article), and she wanted to know where I got the it as she thought it would be a great item for them to sell.. Unfortunately the label had worn off of the jar so I was unable to give her the name of that business, but I thought to myself, I can make you some hot honey! I played with different recipes, adding my own blend of Cajun spices to the mix (an homage to my Cajun roots in Louisiana), and Woo Dat Cajun Hot Honey was born!

I signed up for several Holiday Pop-ups last year, and the honey was a huge hit. Several people emailed and called me wanting more. I realized I had something here, and decided to make this a real business. I am still planning on doing several Pop-ups this holiday season, but I also sell Woo Dat Cajun Hot Honey out of my house, at Sperry’s Mercantile, and of course with my dear friends at Bits and Bobs. I am excited to see what the future holds for my little Cajun Hot Honey Business!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have experienced many obstacles this year trying to get my business started . First of all I paid someone online to get my EIN number (tax ID), when I could have gotten it myself for free. There are a lot of dishonest people out there willing to take advantage of you, so be careful. Trying to understand the laws and all the steps it takes to open a business is daunting, so I encourage you to seek advice from people you trust. I am so grateful for the many people that guided me in the right direction and took the time to help me find the right answers. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love to cook and entertain, and It is definitely my creative outlet. I feel at peace when I am rhythmically chopping onions, or creating and trying new recipes. Creating something that can be used for other’s to entertain fills my heart. I love the process of making my honey, and I love labeling and finishing my jars – it’s definitely a family-affair. I have three teenagers, and they help me whenever they can. My oldest daughter designed my label! I love sharing new recipes to use with my Woo Dat Cajun Hot Honey through my newsletter and social media.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I would definitely say that I’m a risk-taker. I tend to just do what I want to do, and figure out the rest along the way. Currently I am juggling three jobs and several volunteer positions, which can get chaotic. My philosophy is that if you don’t try, then how will you ever find your purpose. My Dad always told me that you don’t always know exactly what you want to do, but with each new opportunity you figure out what you don’t want to do! My parent’s always encouraged me to follow my heart and to be independent – I think this has made me a risk-taker, and I’m glad that I am.

Pricing:

• $14.50 plus tax
• Shipping cost to be calculated

Contact Info:

• Website: https://woodatcajun.com/
• Instagram: @woodatcajun, @sarahbethdowney