Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Hoepfner.
Hi Erin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We’re Ryan and Erin Hoepfner—the husband-and-wife team behind SmokehouseJellies. What started as a passion project at home during the COVID era quickly became something bigger. Like many families, we found ourselves cooking more, gardening more, and getting creative with what we could make from scratch. We grew a serious crop of habaneros, and after a hot sauce experiment that didn’t quite go as planned, we pivoted to pepper jelly—but in a way that felt true to us.
Ryan’s love of real barbecue craftsmanship became the spark: we started experimenting with fruit on the smoker, using genuine applewood to build a deep, layered flavor you simply can’t replicate with extracts or shortcuts. From there, SmokehouseJellies was born—small-batch, fruit-forward pepper jellies made with premium ingredients and true smoke, crafted to elevate everything from charcuterie boards to grilled meats, sandwiches, cocktails, and beyond.
Today, we produce in a commercial kitchen and sell through markets, pop-ups, specialty retail partners, and online. Erin leads production, marketing, and social media, while Ryan focuses on design, promotions, and operations—and we both show up wherever SmokehouseJellies is being shared. Our goal is simple: deliver a one-of-a-kind flavor experience that’s bold, smoky, and memorable—so every jar helps you Elevate Your Next Bite.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every small business experiences growing pains, and SmokehouseJellies is no exception. But every trial we’ve faced has paved the way for new opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. Owning a small business is one of the most rewarding (and humbling) experiences that has pushed us both beyond our comfort zones and challenged us in the best ways, both personally and professionally. From taking the leap for Erin to run the business full-time to investing in out-of-state trade shows, our business has seen great success from these once-seemingly-impossible achievements. And while not every venture is a success, we have become students of the process and believe that there is a lesson to be learned from every experience, good or bad.
As you know, we’re big fans of SmokehouseJellies, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re Erin and Ryan Hoepfner, the husband-and-wife team behind SmokehouseJellies—an artisan, small-batch company redefining what pepper jelly can be. Our signature is simple to describe but hard to replicate: **real fruit, real heat, and real applewood smoke**. While most pepper jellies live in a straightforward sweet-and-spicy lane, ours adds a third dimension—true smoke—created through authentic BBQ technique, not extracts or “smoke flavor.” The result is a layered profile that’s fruit-forward first, balanced with pepper warmth, and finished with a deep, savory smokiness that elevates every bite.
SmokehouseJellies began during the COVID era, when we were spending more time at home as a family—gardening, cooking, and experimenting with what we could make from scratch. A thriving habanero harvest (and a hot sauce attempt that didn’t go as planned) pushed us toward pepper jelly, but we knew we wanted to build something that felt true to us. Ryan’s passion for barbecue and live-fire craft became the spark: we started smoking fruit with applewood, dialing in the balance of sweetness, heat, and smoke until it tasted unmistakably different. That early experimentation became the foundation of our brand—and the reason customers often describe our jellies as “unexpected” in the best way.
Today, we produce in a commercial kitchen, maintaining the control and consistency that only small-batch craftsmanship can deliver. Erin leads production, marketing, and social media; Ryan focuses on design, promotions, and operations—and we both show up wherever SmokehouseJellies is being shared. Our lineup is built around crowd-favorite, premium flavors—like Smoked Blackberry & Habanero, Smoked Peach & Habanero, Smoked Pineapple & Habanero, Smoked Raspberry & Habanero, Smoked Strawberry & Habanero, and Smoked Jalapeño. In addition to our classic repertoire, we offer limited edition super hot flavors such as our brand new release: Smoked Mango Pineapple Ghost Pepper Jam. And because we take customer feedback very seriously, we have recently included smoked jam offerings with no heat. Each flavor we create is developed with that perfect balance in mind and is versatile far beyond the breakfast table.
That versatility is at the heart of what sets us apart. SmokehouseJellies isn’t just “jam for toast”—it’s a **glaze for ribs, a charcuterie upgrade, a sandwich finisher, a burger booster, and a cocktail-worthy twist**. We design every jar to be a go-to ingredient for home cooks, grillers, and food lovers who want bold flavor without compromise. Anchored by our tagline, **“Elevate Your Next Bite,”** we’re committed to creating a premium, memorable experience—one that merges craft, creativity, and the unmistakable character of true smoke.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love when our customers share stories of how they first discovered our brand and the ways in which they’ve enhanced their own recipes with our signature flavors. Our customers can support us by leaving reviews on Google or our website and continuing to spread the word (and love) of SmokehouseJellies. Though we don’t yet have an official brand ambassador program, we know the most successful marketing tool has been word of mouth.
We also support other local small businesses and love collaborating with brands that have the same passion and vision. We offer wholesale pricing for local boutiques, shops, and restaurants and want to expand our reach further. We are always looking for unique businesses to partner with, whether it be through wholesaling, collaborative releases, or vendor events and trade shows.
Pricing:
- All 8oz jars are $18 each for any flavor except super hot
- Super Hot Limited Release $25 each
- Limited Edition Sample Packs $25 each
Contact Info:
- Website: www.smokehousejellies@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokehousejellies?igsh=ZHpzeGc1d2ZrajZm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085331184902
