For some retail entrepreneurs, the journey starts with a business plan. 

At Malley Farms Small Batch Canning and Specialty Foods, a charming retail shop in Galesburg, Illinois, owned by Nikki Malley and known for its house-made jams, jellies, and global specialty foods, the heart of the business comes from the heart of the family.

What began as a passion for preserving summer produce has grown into a specialty store where tradition meets innovation.

Here’s how Nikki’s family legacy created a business that’s as personal as it is successful and how other retailers can do the same.