What Jiffy Cornbread Tells You About Life

Jiffy Cornbread Mix is a household staple. Chances are you have a box in your pantry right now. But think about this. When is the last time you saw a TV commercial of Jiffy Cornbread Mix? Don't worry if you can't recall. The Chelsea Milling Company doesn't advertise Jiffy Cornbread Mix on TV.

There is surprising little advertising for Jiffy Cornbread Mix. Yet, it has endured for the last 77 years as one of the most recognizable brands in North America. In our media-driven society, how does a product survive without TV advertising and a minimal web presence? The one-word answer is quality.

Chelsea Milling Company is faithfully reproducing Mabel Holmes' original 1930 recipe in thousands of blue and white boxes every day. Chelsea Milling controls every step of the process from milling to mixing. They even make the boxes. So what does this have to do with you, me, or the price of tea in China?

Lesson One: Quality counts.
This is a simple lesson. I first learned it as "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going" (Ecc 9:10). This is just a less pedestrian version of, "Give it your all." When you find something you love, something you do well put your being, your soul into it. The result is quality.

Lesson Two: People seek quality.
When you produce quality people seek it. The lack of advertising has not hurt the sale of Jiffy Cornbread Mix one iota. If Chelsea Milling spent millions on an advertising campaign, it is probable their sales would increase slightly. But do they have to? No. The quality of their product speaks for itself. People buy it because they know it produces a consistent, quality product.