Top City Small Business Awards | AO Nola Praline Candy
How did you get to where you are today with your business?
ANGELIQUÉ-OLIVIA: I was inspired by the traditional creole pecan praline candies from my hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. My aunt, Sandra Victor, and my cousin Sonya used to make them when I was growing up and I learned how to make them at a young age. I have always made them and other creole dishes for family events and work potlucks. I was encouraged to make it a business, but never imagined doing so.
Not until March of 2020, when my life changed forever. I found my beloved Aunt Sandra dying of COVID-19 in her home.
The week prior to my aunt contracting COVID, she and I had a heart-to-heart talk about my work environment at the time. She advised me that not all money is good money and that I must step out on faith and start a new venture that would empower me. Even then, I was not prepared to start a business.
Just three days after my aunt’s death, I was cleaning her house and found that she had left a piece of a pecan praline candy I’d made tucked under her pillow. That’s when I knew that my dear Aunt Sandra had the last word in death.
She was absolutely right. I needed to move forward and start my long-awaited praline business that she and family members were always encouraging me to do. No longer could I ignore what God had in store for me. That’s when I started planning AO Nola Praline Candy.
What motivated you to open your business in the Topeka area and how has the community impacted your growth and trajectory?
I knew Topeka would embrace my business. I had already introduced my praline flavors to my coworkers at the local VA and they fell in love with them.
Topeka is my new home. I love Topeka as much as I love New Orleans. I relocated to Topeka after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It wasn’t easy at first but once I got out of my depression, I accepted that relocating to Topeka was the best place to raise my daughter and start my career.
The locals welcomed me and my family. That welcoming spirit is what motivates me to continue to grow my business.
My pralines are now a well-known delicacy in the Topeka region thanks to Downtown Topeka Inc., the Breadbasket Farmers Market and Hy-Vee grocery store. I want to expand to other local Hy-Vee stores in neighboring towns. I also want to see my Kansas City Chiefs pralines at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas university stadiums and other local retail businesses.
What sets you apart from other businesses in your industry?
In Topeka, there are no competitors in the field of praline making. Even in New Orleans, there are only two flavors of pralines.
My business offers a total of 13 flavors that include light sugar, vegan and bacon praline treats to accommodate all family members — including furry babies. Three flavors are rum pralines. The rum isn’t for flavoring — it has a kick, but it goes down smooth.
I have been working with attorney Tuck Duncan to propose a new confectionery alcohol bill in the state so that I may become a rum praline manufacturer in Kansas. If this bill is passed, it will help other small businesses in Kansas that want to make alcohol-infused treats.
In New Orleans, rum pralines are just for flavor, and do not have the effect of taking a shot in food form like my rum pralines. I can’t wait to share the opportunity with our community.
What did it mean to you to be a finalist in the Micro Enterprise category of the Small Business Awards?
It took me by surprise! I am appreciative of this award because it means that my hard work and dedication isn’t in vain.
It shows that my dear Aunt Sandra taught me well and was right about this new business venture I was so scared to take.
She always advised me to lead with love, be positive and remember that good food always brings people of all sorts together. I concur!
