The Sweet Process: Mecca James-Williams
A moment of reflection with Mecca James - Williams on the process of launching JAM amidst transformation.
I could have launched a fashion sub stack featuring my favorite runway looks, hot takes, and industry batter - but truly the last 4 years have changed my life and my focus, am I even in the fashion industry? haha. I’m a new business owner, and the process has been a wild ride.
As I traverse this beautiful island called Jamaica aka likkle Africa, I am reminded of my purpose, the reason I began in the industry as a budding black girl trying to find her creative voice. It was to make something tangible outside of me, use my gifts to inspire people to dream beyond themselves, and tell stories of connection to ultimately bring us all together. Sweet like JAM is just that. We are a cultural platform celebrating connection with a commerce focus to enhance our cultural exchanges while preserving our languages, relics, and creativity.
I had my closest friends (who’ve quite literally been there along this journey) ask me questions about the birth of JAM, I hope you enjoy:
Tell us more about your intention behind the glue that connects me and you and how you envision that being embodied by the brand as it grows?
¨The glue that connects me and you¨ is one of JAM’s sweet taglines. JAM is a play of actual jam which is a sweet sticky substance that binds things together. I chose that saying to create dialogue about how we attract and attach to each other (like glue) as the global African Diaspora. We migrate through borders, boundaries, and projections - still finding ourselves in each other along the journey. Culture truly is the glue that reminds us of the power of our lineage and legacy.
What is something you learned about yourself starting JAM?
That I am malleable, and allowed to be. JAM has stretched me in every way, and we are only a year in. I’ve made so many mistakes already, and have had to scrape ideas, change plans, re-assess the strategy, and find myself at square 1 some times — but the journey is so worth it. I’ve learned I am allowed to ¨fail¨, and I am allowed to ¨win¨. I am excited to continue learning about myself as JAM grows and blooms. I’m honored to feel every season along the journey, even the bitter ones are sweet. I also learned that I know nothing and everything, at the same time.
What do you see JAM becoming in the next 5yrs?
In 5 years, we will be a cultural institution celebrating global black culture in all forms - fashion, art, music, food and lifestyle. We will have a brick + mortar center that will be a fusion of shopping local and international brands, viewing art from around the world, and a space for communion, commerce, and fellowship. Think a department store meets a museum. Ya’ll ready? I am.
How has your relationship with your industry evolved since starting JAM?
I’ve been through so many different stages in the fashion industry through the years, it truly raised me. Now I’m ready to do my part of raising it — raising the bar, changing some of the ways people see and use culture in fashion, and deepen the depths beyond a beautiful image and tailored clothing. My relationship has changed from a willful participant to someone questioning everything. I’ve had so many ego deaths, and allowed myself to see how negatively my industry can mold experiences. I no longer care to upload that narrative, and I am working to have JAM as a refreshing extension of my work.
As a small business owner what keeps you motivated to continue forward when faced with road blocks and tribulations?
I’ve hit quite a few road blocks launching a retail brand during a global shift, capital is slowing, culture is a buzz word, and the institution of America is drawing back the support on (their coined term) ¨DEI - diversity, equity, and inclusion¨. Wars are ravaging the planet, and I deeply feel the burden of the world and the intentional that is deeply necessary. I stay motivated by the importance of archiving and creating during times of such turbulence. If we don’t create the world we want, once the fire settles there will be something else in the haze. We must create our future. It is bright.
How do you feel now after launching the brand?
I’ve learned that perfection is a distraction, and the biggest dream killer. I am happy that JAM in is the world. While we are still perfecting the recipe, I am honored to be honing in on the ingredients with a community of artists, creatives, and supporters that understand the mission. We have so much coming, and I’m intrigued to create a legacy company, ultimately a slow burn. Anything worth lasting, takes time.
Please continue to Taste. Play. See.
Shop our Drop Collection at sweetlikejam.com/shop
Perfection is a distraction! A word! Keep going, so proud of you and what you're building. Everything worthwhile takes time.