Our family’s story began in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1932, with a young boy named John, raised in a family of horticulturists and entrepreneurs. Their flower shop, one of only two in the entire country, instilled in John a strong sense of discipline. Each morning before school, John was given a plot of land to tend—a lesson from his father about the value of hard work.

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John fell in love with a girl named Yvonne, a churchgoer who was charmed by his freckles. He, in turn, was captivated by her “fat ankles”—the detail that, he claimed, let him know she would be his wife. They married at 18, and soon after welcomed their daughter, Judy.

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In the 1950s, John immigrated to Toronto, where Yvonne and Judy soon joined him. Yvonne became a savvy businesswoman, opening and running a successful fashion store in Scarborough. Meanwhile, John excelled as a manager at one of Toronto's largest construction companies, contributing to the building of landmarks like the airport and the CN Tower. Together, they were a dynamic team.

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As their granddaughters, we remember John as someone always immersed in his garden, meticulously tending to it. The property was filled with apple, apricot, cherry, and mulberry trees, alongside a pond he built by hand. But among the greenery, the Jamaican scotch bonnet pepper was the crown jewel—tended to with care and always in abundance. Today, it brings us joy to see our nieces enjoying fruit from the same mulberry trees.

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Our grandparents were the heart of every social gathering, their home constantly filled with friends and laughter. We carry those fond memories with us, as their love for socializing and gathering with loved ones and celebrating with food became a foundation of who we are today.

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Yvonne’s magic truly shined in the kitchen, where she created delicious dishes, and her pepper jelly was a family favorite. Made from our grandfather’s prized scotch bonnets, this sweet and spicy spread became a staple at family gatherings. With an abundance of scotch bonnets during harvest, my grandmother would make batches of her famous pepper jelly. We’d eagerly grab cheese and crackers, slathering on the jelly and savoring every bite. It was addictive and perfectly balanced with just the right kick.

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As we grew older, we began making the pepper jelly ourselves and gifting jars of her pepper jelly during the Christmas season. The demand for more grew quickly, as it rarely made it to the cupboard before being devoured. After five years of family and friends pleading for more, we knew it was time to share our grandmother’s incredible pepper spread with the community.

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Our grandmother was a rare gem—vibrant, a bit feisty, and full of life. She always made an impression, reminding everyone to dance and live life to the fullest. With impeccable fashion sense and the brightest colors, she was and still is an icon in her own right.

When we decided to bring our family tradition to market, we knew we had to honor her spirit. That’s why we designed our bottle in the shape of an orange sapphire, the rarest gem in the world—just like her. Our mission is to keep our family’s story alive and honor the legacy of Jamaican immigrants who laid a beautiful foundation for their future generations. We’re deeply honored to create this family business, building something for the next generation in tribute to the ones who gave us life.