As an elementary teacher in Tucson, Cheri taught children about the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert and how Native Americans survived on its bounty. She later utilized this knowledge to preserve many fruits grown on her property to provide her husband and three children with natural, healthy preserves. The excess production was given to neighbors. Soon, the neighbors began sending over unusual fruit grown on their own property for her to preserve for them. Payment for this favor came in the way of special homemade goodies made in their own kitchens. As a result, Cheri learned how to make many different varieties of preserves, some of which she continues to make for her own business today. Since 1985, her homespun hobby blossomed into a national and international business.