Meet Pecan Amor

Where are you from and does that affect your work? I’m born and raised in Inglewood, and I’ve always stayed close to my roots here. LA has this energy that pushes you to build something real, not just talk about it. You’re surrounded by people who are creating, taking risks, and turning ideas into businesses. That definitely fuels how I approach Pecan Amor. I still sell at farmers markets (Inglewood every Saturday!) & I talk to customers face-to-face, getting constant real-time feedback from the community I’m so proud to be part of.

How did you get your start? It began with a family recipe given to me from my mother. For years, she made candied pecans for holidays and gatherings, and friends would always tell me, “You got something good here. ” When she passed the original recipe to me, we started making small batches in different varieties and explored with flavors not expected on a pecan. We started selling at local farmers markets & specialty events and the response was immediate — people connected not just to the flavor, but to the story. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a snack — it was something meaningful I wanted to build.

What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process? Scaling while staying true to the craft. Everything we make is still small-batch and handmade, and that takes time. This is especially true when you consider that we currently offer seven flavors: Cinnamon Crunch, Peppermint Crunch, Sweet & Spicy, Smoked Honey BBQ, Chili Lime, Garlic Parm & Simply Salted. As we grow, we place an emphasis on ensuring each batch is roasted to perfection just like the very first one.

What is your favorite item that you have created and why? Our Smoked Honey BBQ pecans. This one took the most work to get right — we tested batch after batch

until we nailed that potato-chip level crunch and bold, smoky flavor that keeps you coming back. It hits sweet, savory, salty, spicy and smoky all in one bite. A lot of people don’t expect a pecan to taste like that, and that’s exactly why I love it — it represents what we’re trying to do as a brand: take pecans somewhere new.

What do you love most about Pasadena? Pasadena has this perfect mix of creativity and community. There’s a real appreciation here for craft — people value handmade work and want to know the story behind what they buy. Places like the RoseBowl Flea, indie storefronts on Colorado St, and events like Jackalope allow makers like us to feel seen and supported.

What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect? I’m bilingual — I speak English and American Sign Language. I started learning ASL over two decades ago and still use it regularly.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? We see Pecan Amor on shelves nationwide but still proudly from Los Angeles, with a growing line of products that expand what’s possible with the pecan. We’ll also continue our efforts of giving back to the communities that have given us so much. 

Any advice for someone just starting off on their own?
Start small and start now. Don’t wait for perfection. You don’t need everything figured out before you begin. Just focus on making something people love, tell the story behind it, and keep showing up. Consistency beats perfection every time.

Anything special that you would like to share? We’re on a mission to reimagine the pecan — bold flavors, clean ingredients, and snacks that don’t taste like everything else on the shelf.

Find Pecan Amor at Jackalope Pasadena on November 15th & 16th.

Website: https://pecanamor.com/

Instagram: @pecanamor