Today we’d like to introduce you to Valencia Franks.
Valencia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For many years, my Mom, Carline Jackson, would make the most delicious goodies for members of our church family and friends. Mom had mad skills in the kitchen and people showed up at our house regularly on the chance she had something delectable in the kitchen, she never disappointed. Luckily she passed these skills on to my sisters and me.
Once I tried her glazed pecans, it opened my mind to new possibilities so I then started making glazed almonds, cashews, a mixture of the three and ultimately I created my sweet & spicy pumpkin seeds. I owe my being very adventurous in the kitchen and love of trying new things to her. I really thank my mom for that trait. Mom was still alive when I came up with the glazed almonds and glazed cashews and she exclaimed, “Val, girl, you are really on to something”, I was delighted because I had her blessing. I am ever grateful because this was the impetus of Frankly Delicious Nuts after she passed away in December of 2001.
In 2002 I began a massive marketing campaign to introduce FDN to Houston, Texas, I successfully branded myself with the moniker, “The Nut Lady”. In 2003, I had a meeting with the buyer of Spec’s Liquor Store and got the account for them to carry FDN at the downtown store. I swear it feels like yesterday, I ran out of the store after the meeting, crying and rejoicing at the opportunity, i jumped in my car and rushed straight to my Mom’s house but hit suddenly with the realization she was no longer there. I just screamed in the car with tears streaming down my face, “Thank you, Momma!”. I felt that she was guiding me and I was so proud, I kept hearing her say, “You go, girl!” Within the first month of sales, I was invited to place my line of products in 7 Spec’s Store and was selling out regularly.
By 2004 Frankly Delicious Nuts was sold in various retail outlets, spas, catering companies, restaurants and entertainment venues. I launched my Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seeds, which introduced a way to use my product to enhance the flavor of some of your favorite foods. They are fabulous on salads, sweet potatoes or ground up and used as a crust on baked Salmon. I am committed to constantly evolving and providing wholesome, delicious snacks by adding sugar-free and vegan options to make available for consumers.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has had a few bumps and I found myself divorced, overwhelmed and unemployed, which prevented me from keeping up with the demand of being in 18 stores. I felt defeated, alone and hopeless. I can say honestly that I gave up. I remember a day I was in the grocery store trying to think of a way to make some much-needed money. I hear this guy say to me, “Hey, aren’t you The Nut Lady?” I smiled and said, “yes.” He told his friends, “Man, she makes the best nuts”. I started to cry because I had been praying for God to guide me. As I was feeling so bewildered and lost, The gentleman hugged me and encouraged me to get back to it so I bought ingredients and started up again. It stoked something in me and made me happy that my brand was still viable and relevant after my unintentional hiatus from the business. My prayers were answered. I was invited to be a vendor at a two-day jazz festival in Galveston, in which I was the number 1 vendor in sales. I can’t describe the joy I felt.
My greatest challenge now is mastering social media, I need help honestly but I am trying. Prior to Covid, I did a lot of festivals and vendor events but our world has changed in my ability to be out in public promoting FDN. I miss seeing folks reactions to tasting my products, there is nothing like that feeling and seeing the smiles and hearing the moans of satisfaction my products cause. That is priceless.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Frankly Delicious Nuts & More story. Tell us more about the business.
In September 2014, I relaunched my business as Frankly Delicious Nuts & More to incorporate my adding more products to my lines like granola and baked goods. I believe what sets my products apart is the absolute freshness of my products and unlike other glazed nuts in malls and such is that mine are not over-sweet with a lot of sugar caked on. You truly taste the essence of the nuts. They are good alone as a snack but also to enhance other foods like cheeseboards, salads and charcuterie boards, just about anything you can think of. 2019 I set up my website and online store, I am proud to have done that by myself. I hope to get better at social media marketing to drive more people to my site.
I often marveled at the fact my products had provided me with some awesome opportunities. One of my proudest moments is when I met Tina Knowles and she tried my products and invited me to do gift bags for Music World functions as a party for Russell Simmons, I did small bags that said, “Music World Goes Nuts for Hip Hop” and for the Superbowl event they hosted in 2004. Ms. Tina also got me in as a vendor for Majic Johnson’s private party. I was then given the tasks of doing gift baskets for Beyonce as a thank you to the sponsors of her first solo album, I was over the moon when she stated, “OMG, these are the best nuts I ever had,” and she gave me permission to quote her. I have been featured in a few national publications.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
It is my prayer that I can increase traffic to my site, translating into sales. I would like to have my products everywhere. I want to take over the world one nut at a time. My slogan says it all, “Anytime Is A Good Time For A Nut!”
Pricing:
- 8oz bag Pecans $12.50 / 16oz – $23.00
- 8oz bag Almonds $12.50 / 16oz – $23.00
- 8oz bag Cashews $12.50 / 16oz – $23.00
- 8oz bag Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seeds $12.50 / 16oz – $23.00
- 8oz bag Mixed Nuts $15.00 / 16oz – $28.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.franklydeliciousnuts.com
- Phone: 3462286899
- Email: fdnutlady@gmail.com
- Instagram: fdnutlady
- Facebook: Frankly Delicious Nuts
Image Credit:
Allexus Pantallion of WMImages, LLC
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