Nancy Bruns on Building a Modern Business from Ancient Salt

I got to chat with Nancy Bruns, president and co-founder of J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works in Malden. Her family has been tied to salt making since the early 1800s. They bought the land in 1813 and started producing salt in 1817. The Kanawha Valley once had over 50 producers, making it the largest salt-producing area in the country at the time.

Nancy explains that their operation taps into the ancient Iapetus Ocean, buried beneath West Virginia. The salt is over 400 million years old and contains a wide range of minerals that make it distinct in flavor and character.

She runs the business with a team of 12. About half of them are salt makers, and the rest support their growing event business, including weddings and private gatherings. They also ship salt across the globe, which brings challenges—especially rising shipping costs. Competing with companies that offer free shipping is tough for a small business like theirs.

Their farm-based venue hosts weddings nearly every Saturday from April to November. They also organize farm-to-table dinners that feature local produce and proteins prepared by guest chefs. They promote everything through their website and on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

When I ask for advice for other entrepreneurs, Nancy keeps it simple—love what you do. She says passion matters more than money because it’s what gets you through the hard days.

To learn more, Nancy invites everyone to visit www.jqdsalt.com