Earlier this year, Blackberry Farm began offering caramels from the Shotwell Candy Co., based across the state in Memphis. And they aren’t the only ones who have taken notice of the up-and-coming operation, an after-hours project for corporate lawyer Jerrod Smith. His chewy, delicately seasoned caramels—available in salted, espresso, Old-Fashioned, five-spice dark chocolate, and craft beer and pretzel varieties—have appeared on shelves from the Delta to the heart of New York City in the six months since Smith launched his company. Below, the time-challenged confectioner shares his story.