While other teens were busy
jamming with a guitar,
Fraser Doherty went out to the
supermarket with a couple of
pounds in his pocket, bought
some fruit and sugar, and
started making jam. In doing
so, he used his grandmother’s
recipe. This was in Edinburgh,
when the boy was fourteen.
Today, Doherty’s preserves
sell at Waitrose, Tesco, and at
some other large supermarkets.
Last year, his product sales hit
$750,000, and are on their way
to doubling in 2008.
Doherty devoted himself
to his offbeat avocation after
his grandmother taught him
a recipe for marmalade that
had been passed down through
generations. “I have always
been a big fan of jam,” explains
Doherty. “Since I turned about
eight I had little projects on
the go, trying different ways
of making pocket money. The
catalyst was when my Gran
taught me her secret jam recipe.
The eureka moment was when
I realised I could sell it door-todoor
in the neighbourhood.”
The first time Doherty made
jam, he did six jars and sold
them all. His target customers
were elderly neighbourhood
ladies. And, as will happen
with that sort of custom, word
got around. Within a couple
of years, he was making
thousands of jars every month
and supplying farmers’ markets
and delicatessens. Even the
Hibernian Football Club.
Helping him expand business,
his parents drove him to various
farmers’ fairs. Soon, and you
had better believe this, he found
himself in a jam because he was
selling too much of it.