If you’ve spent any time in Point Loma, you know it’s more than just a neighborhood—it’s a tight-knit community that takes care of its own. At San Diego Pepper Company, Point Loma is where our story really found its legs. From the early mornings at the market to the shelves of local staples, this community has been the “secret sauce” behind our growth.
Our First Big Break: Jensen’s Foods
When it came time to hit the grocery aisles, Jensen’s Foods was the very first store to stock our hot sauce back in 2023. We owe a huge thanks to their grocery manager, Mark, who was such an early supporter of our vision. He loved our 805 sauce and decided to take a shot on us as a budding company, giving us that crucial first spot on their shelves.
Being in a place that feels like the heart of the community was a massive milestone. Since then, we’ve become a recurring presence at their annual Taste of the Holidays event. We’ve moved past being just a vendor; we know the team personally and truly feel like neighbors.
Jensen’s support gave us confidence that we could actually reach our goals as a business, and we make sure to recommend them (and their hot food bar) to all of our friend’s and family.
Our Roots at the Market
Back in 2025, we were a staple at the Point Loma Farmers Market. It was there that we met the market manager, Chef Brady, who became another one of our biggest supporters. While we eventually made the tough call to downsize our market footprint to focus on retail, we’ll never forget the kindness shown to us during those early days. Chef Brady’s belief in our brand helped give us the confidence to take the next big step.
You can also find us at Seahive Station at Liberty Station. They actually discovered us at the farmers market, and it’s been incredible to have a dedicated presence in another one of Point Loma’s community pillars.
The Sea Lion Connection
Point Loma isn’t just a business hub for us; it’s where we spend our time. My wife, Jacklyn, has been coaching at Point Loma Nazarene University since 2019. After serving as an assistant coach, she stepped into the Head Coach role for the PLNU Sea Lions cheer program in 2024.
She’s been the engine behind our operations here at San Diego Pepper Company while simultaneously building an incredible competitive program. Keep an eye out for them—they’ll be hitting the mat for competition cheer in 2027!
Having Jacklyn’s strong ties to the community has kept us anchored within Point Loma. We’ve run 10ks around Liberty station and had some of our best memories as a business while driving past the orange glow of Sunset Cliffs as a long day winds down. It is almost as if our iconic San Diego Pepper Company logo is staring back at us.
A Community Effort
We feel the love every time we drive through the Peninsula. Whether it’s grabbing a slice at Oggi’s, visiting the Point Loma Fish Shop, or heading over to Ocean Beach to see the crew at Surfside Deli, the support has been constant.
Even at the civic level, we feel connected. Since Clairemont and Point Loma share Council District 2, we’ve had the chance to speak with our representative, Jen Campbell, at town council meetings. Hearing her excitement about our vision for “San Diego’s Hot Sauce” makes us even more proud to represent this area.
Let’s Connect
Point Loma was one of the first communities to not only embrace us but actively help us build something special. If you’re a local resident who has picked up a bottle of our sauce, please reach out. We love meeting our neighbors and hearing your stories.
Thanks for being part of the journey!
San Diego Pepper Company’s connection to Point Loma is rooted in early community support and personal ties. The journey began at the local farmers market and reached a milestone in 2023 when Jensen’s Foods became their first grocery partner. Additionally, co-founder Jacklyn’s role as Head Cheer Coach at PLNU further solidifies their deep, active presence within the Peninsula.
“Point Loma’s Hot Sauce” refers to San Diego Sauce. The slogan represents San Diego Pepper Company’s identity as a brand embraced by the local community. It is defined by its presence on the shelves of neighborhood staples like Jensen’s and Seahive Station. It’s a homegrown product backed by residents and local businesses alike.