SAN ANTONIO — A batch of Tio Pelon's Salsita starts with only the most perfect jalapeno peppers.
“I've totally had to send back peppers because they are not the right color," owner Oscar Perez said.
Oscar Perez or Tio Pelon as he's known these days is literally the face of his company.
This fairly new business owner is still surprised to see himself of jars of salsa.
"If you would have told me five years ago. Hey, you're going to have a jar of salsa with your face on it and it will be on HEB shelves soon. I would have been like ok,” Perez said.
Three years ago while working as an architect, Perez decided to take a step back from returning to school.
That’s when salsa became a side hustle.
"I decided to start making some salsa because I was usually good at it,” Perez said.
"Some of the oldest memories I have is just going to my grandparents' ranch down in Mexico. And she, my grandma, would always have a large quantity of dishes with different salsas,” Perez said.
His red salsa is a family recipe and homage to his abuelita.
"Salsita Emma it's our red jalapeno salsa. That is my grandmother's recipe," Perez said.
However, it wasn't an easy recipe to master since grandma never wrote anything down.
But the salsa met her standards
"It was grandma Emma approved," Perez said.
A way to have a bit of his family in San Antonio.
"Just bringing those roots down from northern Mexico into San Antonio is really satisfying and gratifying as well," Perez said.
Now he’s sharing a flavorful message with anyone who may be at a crossroads in their career path.
"Don't give up. The only way you are ever going to know you best potential is if you don't give up…If you follow your dreams then you actually know how great you are," Perez said.