More About Us
MMMJerky was just an idea.
“Mmm!” is the sound of what people make after taking a bite of MMMJerky. The thin premium cut of crackling beef paired with soft, flavorful fat melting in your mouth is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s beefy, sweet, and sometimes spicy in all its crispy and fatty glory.
Lena and Thao put a lot of love into MMMJerky to ensure that everything is carefully crafted with the highest food standards and quality ingredients. After all, the idea of MMMJerky was inspired by their own wedding, when they wanted to make homemade jerky as their wedding favors. Lena always hated how thought-out wedding favors were left behind or forgotten. She wanted to give something that would be savored, literally. So what better way than with candied jerky?!
After months of trial and error, they finally had something delicious to share with friends and family. There was so much excitement and so many “Mmm’s!” - word of mouth spread quickly and everyone wanted more! It was then that MMMJerky was created.
What initially began as a side experiment, passionate hobby, and small hustle in their own kitchen (eventually spilling into the garage), has grown into a gourmet treat with a manufacturing setup of its own. Something they never intended to sell was, quite literally, talked into existence by their friends and family. After being featured by The Wall Street Journal following the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show, it became clear they had something bigger on their hands; and what began as a fun project has now grown into a small local business ready to be shared and enjoyed everywhere.
Who is MMMJerky?
Registered Respiratory Therapist and Flavor Alchemist
Thao
Thao works full-time at the VA, primarily caring for Military Veterans. One of the most meaningful parts of his job is the immense gratitude he feels from the Veterans he serves. When he isn’t working 7 days a week, you can probably find Thao testing his luck at the casinos. But don’t worry—he’s hit a few jackpots along the way, though not quite enough to retire just yet!
In his earlier career, Thao was a digital photographer. Today, he uses those skills to capture amazing culinary photos through his phone.
Registered Nurse and Jerky Craftswoman
Lena
Lena, who enjoys the occasional handful of gummy bears and almonds, continues to work at the hospital with a deep passion for her nursing career. She views her job as an opportunity to "exercise her brain," as it always challenges her and keeps her alert. Her favorite part of the job is dressing surgical wounds, which she lovingly refers to as her "arts and crafts time" — a source of true satisfaction.
Did you know Lena was an extreme couponer? Her knack for saving knows no limits, and now she's learning the art of travel hacking!
A few quick MMMJerky updates
Spring 2026:
- We’ve been working with our co-packers since Fall 2025 to enable resale, and the process is still underway. Building the right foundation takes time, but it ensures quality and long-term success. Our goal is to get our products into retail stores, make them widely accessible, and expand into wholesale as we continue making steady progress.
- We’re currently reformulating our recipe from the ground up, focused on simple, recognizable ingredients we can truly stand behind. This has been a priority for us since early 2025, and while we’re getting close, we’re taking the time to make sure it meets our standards before making the switch. Once we’ve finalized the recipe, we’re also working towards offering a gluten-free, soy allergies, and halal meat options.