From Side Hustle to Going All In

For Ashley Rouse, Trade Street Jam Co. started as a hobby in her tiny apartment in North Carolina as a way to experiment with funky flavor profiles outside the confines of her culinary career. But it was equal parts passion and strategic decision making—plus, a pinch of good faith—that eventually influenced her to leave the comfort of her traditional job to pursue her business full time.

• The day she decided to leave her job
• The steps she took to pursue Trade St. Jam Co. full time
• How to balance blind passion and strategic decision-making