Robert Dillon
Aunt Mil’s Country Delights - A Jamaican Story of Heritage, Resilience and Natural Goodness
Two Environments
I grew up in Mount Hermon, a district in western Portland, but during my teenage years, I spent most of my summers with my eldest sister in Widcombe, St. Andrew. Growing up between these two environments gave me a unique perspective on life, exposing me to both upscale urban living and the simplicity of rural Jamaica.
Those contrasting experiences shaped my outlook and gave me some of the most adventurous and enjoyable memories of my life. They taught me to appreciate different ways of living and helped develop the resourcefulness and adaptability that continue to influence how I approach life and business today.
Aunt Mil
The seed of Aunt Mil’s Country Delights was planted on the very land where I was born and where my mother was born before me.
My mother was an infant schoolteacher, a church leader, a choir leader, and a Sunday school teacher. I have an immeasurable amount of love and respect for her, not only as my mother but also as a woman who dedicated her life to serving her community. She was deeply loved and admired by the people of the district.
She was affectionately known as Aunt Mil, short for Mildred, or Mama Mil, as many community members called her. Naming my brand Aunt Mil’s Country Delights was my way of honouring her legacy and preserving the memory of a woman whose life was defined by service, love, and community.
For me, the brand is more than a business. It is a tribute to my mother and the values she represented.
Lessons From the Corporate World
Before starting this business, I was employed at J. Wray & Nephew Ltd, where I gained invaluable experience that continues to influence the way I operate today. I eventually took early retirement to pursue some of the things I love most while I still had the time, energy, and opportunity to do so.
My years at Wray & Nephew were instrumental in shaping my understanding of quality management, food safety, operational standards, and customer service. I had extensive exposure to the company’s work leading up to ISO 9000 certification, including HACCP principles. Being part of an organisation that placed such a strong emphasis on product quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction taught me that a successful brand must deliver more than a good product; it must also earn and maintain the confidence of its customers.
The company’s commitment to excellence, excellent customer service, and the pride it took in its products left a lasting impression on me. These lessons have become an important part of my approach to building Aunt Mil’s Country Delights, particularly as I work towards ensuring that my products meet the standards consumers deserve.
Beyond the corporate environment, I have always loved the outdoors, and farming came naturally to me. Even while working at Wray & Nephew, I invested in planting long-term crops, including coconuts, breadfruit, avocados, soursop, lychee, naseberry, and ackee. Today, many of those trees are bearing fruit and contributing to food production.
Farming and the Bees
My growing appreciation for the important role bees play in our ecosystem led me into apiculture, or beekeeping. That journey opened the door to producing raw honey and developing flavoured varieties, including ginger-infused and cinnamon-infused honey.
After leaving the corporate world, I registered my company and began turning these interests into a business. With considerable assistance from the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), I was able to take important steps towards establishing the brand. Interestingly, JBDC also became one of my early customers, with my products being sold through its Things Jamaican outlet.
In many ways, my journey has brought together two sides of my life: the discipline, quality consciousness, and customer-focused approach I developed in the corporate world, and my lifelong passion for agriculture and Jamaica’s natural resources. Aunt Mil’s Country Delights is where those experiences meet, allowing me to build a business that reflects my values and my pride in what Jamaica has to offer.
Building the Business
One of the hardest parts of building Aunt Mil’s Country Delights has been getting the business off the ground and navigating the challenges that small businesses face in Jamaica.
Access to financing is a major obstacle. Traditional banks can be difficult for small businesses to access, particularly when they are still establishing themselves. Fortunately, I was able to finance much of my business myself. That independence has allowed me to grow at a manageable pace without taking on loan repayments that could place unnecessary pressure on a young business that needs room to develop.
Another challenge is the pressure placed on institutions that support small businesses. Organisations such as the JBDC and the Scientific Research Council (SRC) are invaluable to entrepreneurs, providing guidance, technical assistance, and access to services that many small businesses could not otherwise afford.
However, these institutions need adequate resources, equipment, and facilities to operate at their full potential. During peak business periods, when demand for their services increases, delays can occur. This can be particularly challenging for small producers trying to meet deadlines and take advantage of seasonal markets.
The issue is not a lack of competent, educated, or committed people within these institutions. Rather, they need the resources and expanded capacity to serve Jamaica’s growing community of entrepreneurs more efficiently.
My experience has reinforced my belief that if we want small Jamaican businesses to succeed, we must invest not only in the entrepreneurs themselves but also in the institutions that help them grow.
The Jamaican Spirit
Jamaica has shaped me in many ways. We are a resilient people who have learned to be resourceful, creative, and determined, often finding ways to make things work despite the hurdles and mountains we must climb.
Growing up in this environment taught me to look for solutions rather than surrender to challenges. That mindset influences how I approach farming, product development, and business.
Jamaica’s rich natural environment also inspires what I produce. From the land that provides our crops to the bees that give us honey, I see opportunities to create products that reflect the abundance and character of our island.
Ultimately, I want Aunt Mil’s Country Delights to represent that Jamaican spirit: making the most of what we have, embracing our natural resources, and creating something of value that we can proudly share with the world.
Honey in Every Jamaican Home
Our products are inspired by Jamaica’s rich tradition of using natural ingredients in everyday life. Honey has long been enjoyed in Jamaican homes, whether in a cup of tea, to soothe a sore throat, or as a natural sweetener in food.
We carry this tradition forward by infusing our honey with familiar Jamaican favourites like ginger and cinnamon, creating flavours that bring together tradition, versatility, and a touch of creativity.
Our goal is to celebrate the natural goodness of honey while giving it a modern twist. From sweetening tea to drizzling over pancakes or glazing chicken wings, our flavoured honey brings a taste of Jamaican warmth and creativity to every table.
Original, ginger-infused and cinnamon-infused honey, and the three-variety gift pack.
A Jar of Love
It means my honey is more than a gift; it is a jar of love, sweetness, and Jamaican flavours, shared from one heart to the next.
Buy To Build
Buying Jamaican is about building Brand Jamaica. Every time we choose a Jamaican-made product, we help create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, support livelihoods, and strengthen our economy.
It also helps build a more inclusive economy, where people from all sectors of society have an opportunity to develop and showcase their products and talents. As our local businesses grow, they become better positioned to innovate, compete, and gain recognition in international markets.
Ultimately, buying Jamaican helps build a stronger, more resilient, and sustainable economy. It is an investment in our people, our communities, our creativity, and our future.
A Taste of Home
I want them to taste a little piece of home. Every spoonful brings back the warmth, flavour, and sweet memories of home.
Start With What You Have
Stop waiting for the perfect time. Start with what you have. Believe in your craft, and let Jamaica and the world taste your greatness.
Aunt Mil’s Country Delights is available at Things Jamaican.
