036: The Secret Ingredient to Food Biz Success: A Shared Kitchen with a Side of Networking with Djenaba Johnson-Jones
Release Date: 03/13/2025
046: Your Kitchen, Your Garden: The Indoor Farming Game Changer with Conner Tidd
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “How can we make growing your own food possible in environments where it normally wasn’t? Or can we drastically lower the impact of water use, fertilizer use, or resources used to drive to the grocery store? That’s a big impact that we can have if we can allow you to grow your own food right at home.” —Conner Tidd What if you could grow fresh, pesticide-free produce just steps from your refrigerator, regardless of where you live? Indoor vertical farming isn't just a trend— it's a revolutionary approach to sustainable, accessible food production....
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045: Urban Food Hacking: Your Yard's Hidden Food Potential with Marjory Wildcraft
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “Once you start eating your own food, it expands your taste horizons and you can’t be afraid to experiment. If it doesn’t work out and it’s horrible, just put it in the compost bucket and start over. It’s okay, you’ll be fine.” —Marjory Wildcraft Food is not just sustenance; it's a fundamental human right that we've outsourced to complex, fragile systems. This disconnection from food sources has transformed us into passive consumers dependent on a market that creates an illusion of abundance, masking a precarious supply chain that can unravel in...
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044: Entrepreneurial Flavor: Breaking Barriers in the Healthy Snack Market with Seena Chriti
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “I don’t have an MBA. I only have a food knowledge background, and that doesn’t make me an expert, either. But I know how to inquire and how to connect. So I have just been digging and grinding through my process, always finding the answers when I need them.” —Seena Chriti Snack innovation is more than just creating a product—it's about telling a cultural story through flavor. Every bite carries the potential to bridge traditions and challenge culinary expectations. Seena Chriti is a culinary arts graduate from Mexico City with a...
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043: Farming Forward: How Regenerative Methods Are Rewriting Agriculture with Jason Walker
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “We need to think more about the ecosystem, and it’s not always the cheapest way to do stuff. I think we’re just trying to make a difference. And if we can make a living while making a difference, then that’s really important.” —Jason Walker Regenerative organic farming is more than just a method—it's a revolutionary approach to healing our planet's most critical resource: soil. It offers a holistic approach that sees agriculture not as an extraction process but as a recuperative, life-giving partnership with the Earth. Jason Walker is a visionary...
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042: From Tap to Table: Smart Water Storage Techniques for Modern Communities with Jamiah Hargins
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “Trust that you can do the Math and that you have the tenacity and that nature will give you way more opportunities than you even need.” —Jamiah Hargins Imagine a world where water conservation isn't just a choice, but a critical strategy to survival. Water isn't just slipping through our fingers—it's vanishing before our eyes. Yet, our current consumption patterns are writing a dangerous narrative for future generations. Hence, the silent crisis of water conservation demands immediate, innovative solutions that reimagine how we interact with...
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041: Mindful Foodies: Eating Smart, Wasting Nothing with Janet Irizarry
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “I want to create a world of mindful foodies. I don't see this as a little project. I see this as something big.” —Janet Irizarry Every bite we take is a vote for the planet's future, and our children are the most powerful voters we have. By modeling mindful eating to them, we can transform how future generations understand and respect the journey of their food. Janet Irizarry is a culinary innovator and passionate educator who has dedicated her professional life to reshaping how families approach food sustainability. As an instructor at the Culinary...
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040: Scaling Smart: Practical Advice for Small Business Owners with Sebastian Stahl
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Founder Resource Series Episode Description: “My advice for people that are wanting to shift or starting out is to just jump in the water. Once you're there, you're going to figure out how to swim.” —Sebastian Stahl A lot of startups crumble within their first year—a stark reminder that dreams alone cannot sustain a business. But the difference between survival and surrender often hinges on adaptability, strategic thinking, and the courage to pivot when the path becomes uncertain. Sebastian Stahl is a battle-tested entrepreneur who has navigated the complex terrains...
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039: The Entrepreneur’s Plate: Reimagining Food’s Potential for Sustainability with Ashwin Cheriyan
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “You can over engineer things like a business plan. I think there's no substitute for going out and just trying things— that's the best and fastest way you can learn.” —Ashwin Cheriyan Modern life often makes it hard to balance convenience, health, and sustainability, leaving many searching for better options. Ashwin Cheriyan, Thistle’s co-founder and CEO, is a former corporate lawyer turned passionate innovator, dedicated to bringing health and sustainability to everyone’s table. Ashwin’s work focuses on proving that eating delicious,...
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038: Bytes for Bites: Streamlining Food Innovation with AI with Riana Lynn
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Founder Resource Series Episode Description: “I think consumers and company leaders are becoming more curious as to what the alternatives are and not just following simple workflows and playbooks. The transparency and the ability to educate around the possibilities— the alternative possibilities of manufacturing and ingredients that are available.” —Riana Lynn The possibilities for AI-powered innovation in the culinary world are truly exciting. Consumers are now more intrigued than ever about the transformative potential of AI-powered solutions in innovation and...
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037: Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying Episode Description: “It's having a genuine interest in your consumers, not just a transactional experience— That is the best way to build community.” —Wen-Jay Ying Building a thriving community takes more than just a shared interest— it requires genuine connections, a sense of belonging, and a shared vision for a better future. In an age of impersonal online interactions, the power of face-to-face relationships and supporting local businesses has never been more important....
info_outlineThe Secret Ingredient to Food Biz Success: A Shared Kitchen with a Side of Networking with Djenaba Johnson-Jones
Founder Resource Series
Episode Description:
“I wanted something that I could call my own and not have to answer to anyone. We asked ourselves what we want for our future and we wanted to launch this business.” —Djenaba Johnson-Jones
Shared kitchens are more than just a place to cook - they're hubs of innovation, collaboration, and growth for food entrepreneurs. By tapping into a community of like-minded innovators, food startups can unlock new opportunities, streamline operations, and accelerate their path to success. Beyond the physical space, shared kitchens offer a wealth of resources, education, and networking that can be game-changing for any food business.
Djenaba Johnson-Jones is the founder of Hudson Kitchen, a shared commercial kitchen and storage facility in New Jersey that has supported over 60 food businesses since its inception. With a background in marketing and a passion for empowering entrepreneurs, Djenaba has built a thriving ecosystem that caters to the unique needs of CPG and meal prep companies.
Tune in as Justine sits down with Djenaba to discuss the resources, collaborations, and community that make Hudson Kitchen a hub for food business growth.
Meet Djenaba:
Djenaba Johnson-Jones is the founder of Hudson Kitchen, a shared commercial kitchen and storage facility based in Carney, New Jersey. She started the business in 2016 after being laid off from her corporate job, pivoting from an initial plan to launch a fitness business.
At Hudson Kitchen, Djenaba supports over 60 food businesses, primarily focused on consumer packaged goods and meal prep companies. She has created educational resources like a "10 Steps to Starting a Food Business in New Jersey" guide and a Food Business Boot Camp program to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their food ventures.
In addition to providing physical kitchen space, Djenaba has fostered a collaborative community at Hudson Kitchen, where members share resources and support each other's growth. She also hosts networking events featuring industry experts to connect with her members and provide them with valuable connections and insights.
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Episode Highlights:
01:54 Sustainable Food Delivery and Packaging
04:01 Founding the Hudson Kitchen
11:12 More Than a Kitchen: Resources and Support Hub
19:48 Expanding Reach: Local to National Support