By Daniel Carson
News Herald Writer
Jo Marshall's small business literally grew out of the ground 10 years ago, spawned in her backyard from an herb garden planted as a hobby.
Marshall's business, Only Herbs Gourmet Seasoning, started modestly with the aid of a couple of friends and funds from one credit card.
"I had a $500 limit on my credit card. When I paid that off, I got more products," Marshall said Friday.
Now, Marshall is filling wholesale, resale, and inividual orders nationwide from her line of gourmet seasonings and imported olive oils. She operates out of a 2,900-square-foot building just off U.S. 231 on Bear Creek Road.
Marshall said area businesses The Mole Hole, Cahall's Deli and Mexico Beach's Prickly Pears carry her products. Also, Only Herbs recently filled an order from the Botanical Gardens of New York.
"They ordered a case of everything I have," she said of the Botanical Gardens.
Only Herbs started to take off five years ago, Marshall said, as she got involved in Junior Service League shows all over the state - more people got a taste of her first seasoning blend, Lite Salt Seasoning. For her first seasoning blend of 13 herbs and spices, Marshall has added an Italian seasoning, a blend she credits her husband with creating. She's also created a sea salt seasoning, citrus blend, cracked black peppercorn with minced garlic and a "screaming hot" blend.
"Only Herbs' olive oils, extra virgin and cold pressed are imported from Italy and available in roasted garlic and lemon flavors," Marshall said. At her Only Herbs facility, Marshall, with help from friends, Debbie Gant and Debbie McCray, mixes and bottles the seasonings.
At her disposal are two cusomized herb and spice mixers and three Cuisinarts, used to grind the blends. Marshall has scales to weigh everything, makes her own labels and buys her herbs and spices in bulk. "To me, it's really a simple process," Marshall said. Before she started her business, Marshall worked as a bookkeeper for Van Horn's Auto Salvage, a business owned by her family.
"The Only Herbs building used to be a day-care center," Marshall said, "and sits on five-and-a-half acres." She said the business is already out-growing the building and added that the sites acreage will allow Only Herbs to expand in the future.
Marshall said Only Herbs would be showcasing its products at Holly Fair which is being held Nov. 10 and 11 at the Boardwalk Beach Resort.