By Ana Good
Jenny McCain, a prominent Birmingham lawyer and the founder of Woodhill Cottage, has a journey as rich and flavorful as the jams she creates.
Established as a tribute to her family’s history and love for home-cooked goodness, Woodhill Cottage specializes in artisanal jams and conserves made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. For McCain, Woodhill Cottage is not just a business; it’s a creative haven where family recipes are transformed into delicious preserves that evoke memories of warmth and togetherness.
McCain’s journey as a lawyer and business owner reflects a unique blend of heritage and aspiration.
“I’m a Birmingham native who has lived in Charlottesville, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas,” she shared.
Her entrepreneurial spirit is inherited from her grandparents, Tom and Ruby McCain, who founded McCain Manufacturing Co. in 1947.
“The company manufactured children’s wear. My grandparents started it with two sewing machines in the back of an airport hangar,” McCain recalled. At its peak, the company produced more than half of the children’s wear in America.
Growing up, McCain was inspired by the tales of her grandparents and great uncle, Maurice “Mac” McCain, who also founded McCain Uniform Co. in the 1940s.
“I grew up hearing war stories from my grandparents and my uncle about attorneys who were the hero who solved some great problem or threat facing us. I think those stories are perhaps the genesis of my desire to become an attorney,” she said.
Today, McCain is a shareholder with Maynard Nexsen, formerly Maynard Cooper & Gale, providing legal advice to financial institutions throughout the Southeast.
“In a lot of ways, I’m often essentially another member of my clients’ executive teams, helping them set and achieve their business goals while navigating the complex system of state and federal regulatory and corporate laws,” she explained.
Her background in a family of small business owners gives her a special perspective.
“I think growing up in a family of small business owners makes me a better lawyer. I understand that a business isn’t making decisions in a vacuum but in complex business environments,” she said. “I love what I do, and I love my clients.”
Grandmother’s Kitchen
McCain is not just about finance and law. She describes herself as a blend of “food and finance,” a passion deeply influenced by her grandmother, Ruby.
“We spent hours together conjuring in the kitchen and talking business. We made conserves and jams from produce she and Grandaddy grew in their garden,” McCain reminisced. Ruby, a home economics major at what was then called Howard College – now Samford University – was “a lovely blend of business and home.”
“She loved trying new recipes,” McCain said. “I think starting Woodhill Cottage is in a way another example of her influence.”
McCain described Woodhill Cottage as her “creative outlet,” one that allows her to stretch a different part of her brain and use another set of skills.
“I love being an attorney. I couldn’t have a better career. Woodhill Cottage allows me to create and produce,” she said.
Balancing the demands of law and entrepreneurship might seem daunting, but McCain has adopted a slow and steady approach.
“From the beginning, I made the decision that slow and steady was the best way to approach Woodhill Cottage,” she said.
This thoughtful approach is evident in her choice of jam flavors, which she said are inspired by family recipes that have been fine-tuned over time.
“We offer the flavors that my friends and family gravitated toward: strawberry, peach and tomato,” she said.
Woodhill Cottage products are available in a variety of Over the Mountain stores and several other cities.
For years, McCain has brought biscuits and jam to friends and neighbors, her version of the “welcome to the neighborhood” pound cake.
“Everyone loves strawberry jam, so I usually planned to make a lot of it in the spring and have it ready for Christmas gifts,” she said. “Peach jam is just special. We always called it ‘sunshine in a jar.’”
Try New Holiday Menu Items
The holidays, McCain said, are a great time to try new recipes. She fondly remembers her grandmother and her grandmother’s sister, Lucille McGriff, trying new recipes by adding them to the menu along with the traditional family fixings.
“Most holidays, they would add a new recipe to our usual menu. Many then became fixtures at our holiday gatherings,” she said. “I think that approach is a great way to freshen things up without upsetting the family apple cart, so to speak.”
McCain shared some of her favorite holiday recipes – just in time to be added to the Thanksgiving menu.
“We have some absolutely fabulous holiday recipes on our website. One of my favorites is our Peach-Pear Pecan Pie,” she said.
Another favorite is the Mini Potato Gratin Stacks with Bacon and Tomato Jam, which McCain said would be a great addition to a holiday meal.
“Both of these recipes have broad appeal,” she said.
McCain said her engagement with neighbors and new Woodhill Cottage fans is particularly vibrant during the holiday season. She enjoys a hands-on approach when it comes to sharing her products.
“One of my favorite things is to do a Woodhill Cottage Tasting. It’s just so fun to see customers’ reactions when they first try the products,” she said. “One of our tag lines is ‘Just try it!’ We find that it just takes one taste for someone to get hooked.”
As she reflected on the feedback she’s received from customers, McCain said the interactions are always meaningful to her.
“I was at a Birmingham event honoring one of the current Federal Reserve System Board of Governors (members) who was in town. A fellow banking professional came bounding up excited to tell me she’d discovered our conserves and jam and that Woodhill Cottage products are a ‘must have’ in their family’s pantry.”
McCain said it has been fun to see the tremendous response from customers all over the country.
“We’ve even had online orders going to Alaska! I regularly get emails from customers who tell me about their favorite Woodhill Cottage recipe,” she said.
According to McCain, the most currently engaged recipe on the Woodhill Cottage website is for the Tomato Jam Cheese Thumbprints – which she said “freeze beautifully.”
“They really are a great gift for new neighbors, fabulous as a homemade Christmas gift, and perfect to pull out of the freezer for a snack, and a crowd favorite as an appetizer,” McCain said.
For the holiday season, Woodhill Cottage offers special gift options such as the Holiday Hamper and Three Jar Gift Box.
“Our holiday gifts were such a hit last year we brought them back this year,” McCain said, adding that the limited-edition baskets are in high demand and should be ordered early.
‘We’ll Figure It Out’
Looking back on her success and challenges, McCain said one’s attitude is of upmost importance.
“One of the best lessons I’ve learned over the years is that almost every problem has a solution. My default position is always, ‘We’ll figure it out,’” she said. She emphasized the importance of staying calm and positive in the face of challenges. “Your personal attitude and demeanor have a much greater influence than most folks realize on how others view a situation.”
For those looking to start their own business, McCain said its best to take one step at a time.
“Start small and be committed to quality,” she said. “There isn’t a ‘right way’ to start a business. When faced with a challenge, be practical. Figure out how to get from A to B. Don’t worry about ‘how it’s supposed to be done.’”
As for the future, McCain said she has clear goals for Woodhill Cottage.
“I want us to continue to grow thoughtfully and for more and more folks to realize that ‘when you send jam, you spread joy!’”
This mantra encapsulates the essence of McCain’s work: creating delightful flavors that bring people together, especially during the holiday season.
For more details, recipes and a list of the stores where Woodhill Cottage products can be purchased, visit woodhillcottage.com. Those interested in holiday gift baskets can contact McCain at [email protected]. Recipe fans can sign up for weekly emails via woodhillcottage.com/pages/join-our-recipe-club.
