Alumni Spotlight: Terrence Jones '14 '20

Alumnus Terrence Jones is taking his passion for creating candies and turning it into a flourishing Louisiana business.

 

Jones '14 '20 is Louisiana Creole Pecan Candy's founder and chief operating officer. The business focuses on preserving and protecting Cajun and Creole heritage through its many products, including its sweet staples – pralines and pecan candy bites. 

 

Since its inception in 2021, Louisiana Creole Pecan Candy has grown its footprint in the state substantially and has even become an official Certified Louisiana business. The company has also expanded its product line under its "Cajun-ish" and "Creole-ish" sub-brands. Under this umbrella, Jones has increased his product line to include tumblers, candles, barbeque sauce, and apparel. 

 

Jones started making his grandmother's tried-and-true recipe for pecan candy while he was a student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. "I just started doing it as a pastime or for holidays. I never initially thought about turning it into a business," Jones said. 

 

As a student, Jones made sure to immerse himself in his studies while also getting involved with many organizations on campus. He studied business administration as an undergraduate student, and he later went on to earn his MBA from the University as well. Jones always knew that one day he would use the knowledge he learned in school to start his own business, but he never imagined that his path to entrepreneurship would turn him into a candy connoisseur.

 

After several years working in the corporate sector, Jones decided to pivot his career. He wanted to focus on helping small businesses grow, but he needed to show them that he had the skills to operate a company of his own. So, what better way to do this than by starting one from scratch.

 

"I wanted to show that I could actually operate a business instead of just being a consultant. That's when the idea of making pralines and pecan candy popped into my head and creating a whole brand from the ground up. This way, I could show firsthand how I could run a business on my own in order to help others," Jones said. 

 

Once he had the idea, Jones didn't waste any time before starting Louisiana Creole Pecan Candy. "Within 24 hours of thinking of this business idea, I had my website built and Facebook page ready to go," Jones said. From there, the company quickly grew through its e-commerce store and pop-up events. Eventually, it launched its products in select stores throughout Louisiana.

 

Jones is excited to expand his business even further this year. Louisiana Creole Pecan Candy was recently accepted into a small business accelerator program with Amazon. As of February 1, 2023, all Louisiana Creole Pecan Candy products will be sold nationwide through Amazon. "Now, alumni around the country will be able to purchase our products," he said.

In the next five years, Jones hopes Louisiana Creole Pecan Candy will be available in a large grocery store chain and have its own production facility. "The goal is to build that in Lafayette," Jones said. As his business continues to evolve, Jones plans to grow alongside it. However, he'll always stay true to himself, his culture, and his Louisiana roots.

 

Main Photo Caption: Terrence Jones brings Louisiana Creole Pecan Candy to the UL Lafayette Homecoming Block Party. (Photo Credit: Courtney Bergeron - UL Lafayette) Top Photo: Cajun•ish packaged Louisiana Creole Pecan Candy (Submitted) Bottom Photo: Headshot of Terrence Jones '14 '20, the founder and COO of Louisiana Creole Pecan Candy (Submitted)