An Inspired Chat with Jess Bee of McDonough

We recently had the chance to connect with Jess Bee and have shared our conversation below.

Jess, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that’s been bringing me joy lately is taking walks and immersing myself in the natural beauty around me. I love admiring the trees and flowers, feeling the sunshine warm my skin, and breathing in the fresh air. It’s such a simple thing, but those moments of walking or even running give me the time to myself to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with the world around me. It’s a small but meaningful way I find peace and joy in my day-to-day life.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Jess Bee! I like to think of myself as someone who wears many hats—by profession, I’m a paralegal, but my heart and passion are deeply rooted in my business, Opal’s Gemz. I started this venture six years ago with just a simple idea: making treats from scratch. Little did I know that dipping strawberries in chocolate would grow into something so fulfilling and successful!

Opal’s Gemz is more than just a business to me—it’s a tribute to my late mother, Opal, and reflects my deep commitment to quality and creativity. I specialize in crafting delectable, one-of-a-kind treats for monthly events and special occasions. What sets Opal’s Gemz apart is my dedication to creating a custom, personal experience for each client. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I ensure every single treat is made with precision, love, and care. I believe that by prioritizing excellent customer service and staying true to my values, rather than chasing fleeting trends, I’ve been able to build something that stands the test of time. Opal’s Gemz isn’t just a business; it’s my way of spreading joy, celebrating life’s moments, and creating memories for my clients.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me that success had to look like being highly educated, outworking everyone else, and walking the fine line of being hardworking yet not ‘too masculine’ to be respected, I was a bright-eyed, ambitious girl bursting with dreams, ideas, and determination. I was the kind of girl who had endless business ideas swirling in her mind, fueled by the belief that anything was possible. At the same time, I was a realist. I understood the limits of my circumstances, yet I held onto hope and faith that with enough perseverance, I could manifest the future I envisioned for myself. That balance of dreaming boldly while staying grounded is something I still hold dear today. It’s helped shape the woman I’ve become and drives me to keep building, growing, and striving.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self, ‘Hang on, beautiful girl. It always gets better. That difficult situation, that bad relationship, that heartbreak, it’s all temporary, and time truly does heal all wounds. Don’t lose hope, because better things are always out there waiting for you. Life has a way of working itself out, again and again. Trust me, you’re going to overcome it all and come out stronger, wiser, and so much more resilient. Just hang in there.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
In my personal opinion, one of the biggest lies in the treat-making industry is the idea that you “have” to raise your prices just because everyone else is doing it, as if it’s a trend. Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand that inflation is impacting all of us and that the rising cost of supplies makes it necessary to adjust pricing to maintain profitability. I’ve even had to raise my own prices to ensure my business stays sustainable. But here’s my issue: don’t raise prices simply because ‘everyone else is doing it.’ At the core of my business, I always prioritize ensuring my clients feel that they’re getting the best value for every dollar spent. If you’re going to increase your prices, I believe it should be backed by something tangible. Upgrade to higher-quality products. Reevaluate your packaging. Find little ways to elevate your presentation or service. For example, if a candy apple was $3 last year and now needs to be $5, at the very least, add a bow or some extra detail to justify that change. In my opinion, the idea that price increases are inevitable or should be done just to match others is misleading. If you must raise your prices, do the work, research and be honest with yourself and your customers! A price increase should reflect real growth, improvements, and value, not just trends.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I were to shut down shop and retire tomorrow and trust me, I’ve considered it a few times before LOL! I believe my customers would miss two things the most: me and my treats. My repeat clients always tell me how much they appreciate not just the quality of my products, but also the care and thoughtfulness I put into every detail.

From crafting each treat with love to carefully packaging and individually wrapping them, I take my time to ensure everything is just right. My clients notice and value this effort, along with the personalized customer service I provide. They know they can count on me to deliver something special every single time. So, based on what I’ve been told, I think what they’d miss most is the consistent quality, care, and the connection we’ve built over time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.opalsgemz.com
• Instagram: @opalsgemz