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Octavia Shamily - Mama’s Makings
Octavia Shamily
Mama’s Makings LLC
By Terry L. Watson
Photos Provided by Octavia Benjamin
When Octavia L. Shamily sets her sights on something, there isn’t much that will stop her from obtaining it!
Octavia L. Shamily is a native and current resident of Detroit, MI, who, like most women, wears many hats. She is referred to as “mother” by countless young men and young ladies, in addition to being the biological mother of one son. She is a go-getter, problem solver, encourager, author, and public speaker. Octavia earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. However, Octavia is delighted that she is warmly known for her delicious brand of chicken salads, and that brand name is “Mama’s Makings”.
Mama’s Makings LLC was founded in 2018 and is certified as a woman (WBENC), minority (NMSDC), and SAM (System for Award Management) owned small business. Originally, Octavia specialized in providing consumers with everyday products that are practical for household and business use. She is thrilled to now offer healthy, ready-to-eat food items as her product.
Mama’s Makings loves producing a variety of grab-and-go chicken salads. Her line of chicken salads includes spicy, mild, dairy-free, and vegan varieties. Her vegan chicken salad is made with jackfruit and soy-free veganaise and is dairyfree. Her newest variety of chicken salad, which she perfected In 2023, is dairy-free chicken salad. Mama’s Makings brands of chicken salads are available in several Meijer grocery locations throughout Michigan; see locations at www.mamasmakings.com. If you don’t see Mama’s Makings chicken salads in your local Meijer store anywhere in the United States, please ask for them. Octavia loves knowing that every variety of chicken salad that they produce is a healthy, delicious, grab-and-go option.
When Octavia was a little girl, cooking was what she wanted to do. Her affinity for cooking first showed itself with the mud pies that she loved making. As she aged, Octavia realized that cooking was more of a calling than a love. “As a young girl, I was always in the kitchen with my godmother and great-aunts. In the early 1990’s, as I tried to figure out
who I was, I began cooking with chefs. However, my journey would take me along a different path. Back then, women were expected to cook at home or for others, but not to become chefs. However, I heard God tell me, “You are going to do food differently.” I didn’t fully understand what He meant,” she says.
As Octavia’s skills as a chef improved, demands for her prepared foods began to emerge. She was often inspired while preparing unique dishes for her family and friends, including the woman she affectionately refers to as her grandmother. “Everything I made was well-received, but the chicken salad and the adult fruit salads were truly exceptional. My grandmother and my girlfriend’s mother both loved the spicy chicken salad especially. They requested it every week and encouraged me to keep cooking. Nearly 30 years later, “Mama’s Makings” was born. Looking back, I now realize what God meant when He said that I would do food differently. My passion for feeding people whether they are picky eaters, have health challenges, or are simply committed to eating healthy – became the foundation of my small business.”
Octavia shares that she truly loves what she does. “I am a servant of God, and I appreciate each opportunity that I have to share God’s love. He has blessed my hands to prepare food that not only nourishes but also brings joy to others through His blessings. I love the process of making the salads. Everything is made with care and intention, from the front label to the chicken salads inside, and even the love under the lid. Every day, I get to relive the joy I had of making mud pies as a child by mixing bowls of chicken salad. Of course, this time, I’m wearing gloves!” she says.
Octavia established Mama’s Makings for three key reasons. The first one is to serve mature adults. “Inspired by my grandmother and other seniors, we aim to provide wholesome, healthy food that can be enjoyed at any time of the day,” she says. The second is to supply a variety of food products that can be used versatilely. The third reason is to empower the community. “Creating jobs and uplifting impoverished communities is at the heart of what we do. Mama’s Makings is committed to stopping the tears of those who open their refrigerators to find no food, as well as those who face utility shut-offs while working two or three jobs just to make ends meet,” she says.
As Mama’s Makings grows, so will their ability to rebuild entire communities by creating jobs, promoting empowerment, and sharing opportunities for everyone they serve to become self-sufficient. Octavia shares that the people she affectionately refers to as her grandparents, who weren’t actually blood relatives, instilled in her the foundations of loving and serving others. “God answered my prayers by placing Mr. and Mrs. Russel and Edith Morgan in my life, who loved me with the same unconditional love that God loves me with. The Holy Spirit inspired me to spend time in the kitchen and to create a dish that Mama could enjoy without needing to use the stove – especially when I was asleep or away. That’s how the Spicy Chicken Salad was born. Over time, it was refined into the delicious dish that it is today,” she says.
Octavia has faced many challenges as a business owner. In fact, most small business owners do face the challenge of acquiring finances and establishing a steady flow of cash. Octavia addresses her challenges with prayer and by seeking God’s guidance and help. She says, “I turn to God’s Word for strength and direction, but most importantly, I keep moving forward. As a business owner, I have learned that the most critical thing I can do is to keep pressing onward while holding my head high. One scripture that has given me great encouragement is Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Things are looking really good for Mama’s Makings. Last year, Octavia added two locations from which her brand of Chicken Salads can be purchased. In October of 2024, she began including a three-word encouraging phrase under the lid of each product as her way of spreading love and positivity to consumers. One of Octavia’s goals for 2025 is to establish a way to quickly and efficiently ship Mama’s Makings chicken salads across the world. Octavia also invites consumers to submit their own three-word phrases, which may be selected in a monthly drawing. This year, she says her company is focused on increasing product awareness by conducting more demos and providing guests with samples of their four products. She also plans to enhance her product visibility on social media, showcasing many ways that Mama’s Makings Chicken Salads can be enjoyed while encouraging consumers to share their own chicken salad creations.
Octavia Shamily
Mama's Makings LLC
313-757-1909
