Meet Shauna Ahmadian Owner and CEO of Pronutz

I met Shauna Ahmadian earlier this year when I attended the LA Cookie Con where she was showcasing her new product at the show. Pronutz is a pistachio product that comes in two flavors, milk chocolate coated & yogurt coated. Having tried both flavors, I have to say that I like them both equally! However I’m probably more inclined to the yogurt covered ones, but that’s just me.

Not only is Shauna a Valley businesswoman, but she is also a law student. Although she does not have children, her brand new business is like her baby – so in my mind, she qualifies for a Real Mom of the SFV spotlight. 🙂

Please meet Valley business owner, Shauna Ahmadian!

How/why did you begin your business?
Shauna: My business began out of a craving for a healthy light snack. I wanted some nuts, but then I also wanted something slightly sweet. I was looking down at a bowl of pistachios we’d just brought in from the farm and thought, “wouldn’t these be delicious coated in chocolate!”

That’s where the idea first began. From there I expanded my vision with a second flavor – yogurt – and added probiotics. My vision took form as Pronutz, a delicious and healthy snack that provides healthy fats, probiotics, and a delightful satisfaction that could only come from eating something you can trust and that is wholesome.

What is one tip or piece of advice that you would give to other female entrepreneurs?
Shauna: The most important thing I’ve learned so far, that I would tell to any aspiring female entrepreneur, is that it doesn’t matter your background or education, pursue your ambitions. If you have a vision and you can back it up with a solid plan (and there are many online resources that can help you create one), don’t let insecurity or self-doubt hold you back.  Go for it, because by not even trying, you’ve already failed. And you’ll always wonder, what if…

What do you like best about having a business in the San Fernando Valley?
Shauna: I grew up and went to school in the Valley, so I’m a valley girl through and through. Mostly, I love how safe and diverse it is here. Every city has its own unique charm, and anything you could ever need is available somewhere in the Valley. In other cities there’s a certain sense of alienation and decay, whereas in the valley, it’s almost like having a friendly neighbor everywhere you go.

If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
Shauna: I wish I could have known, and thus prepared myself, for how much time and effort actually went into starting your own business because once the ball gets rolling, you can’t slow it down without the risk of losing momentum. While I’m busy building and expanding Pronutz, I’m also hard at work as a law student. As you can imagine, law school is exhausting and time-consuming. Trying to juggle both has left me with little personal time and few nights of sleep. I wish I could have been more prepared for the time commitment starting and running the business would take so that I could have arranged my other activities to accommodate it. Nevertheless, I have no regrets!

I love Shauna’s statement – to just go for it because “by not even trying, you’ve already failed.” That’s so true! Sometimes I second guess myself but I have to remember to not let fear hold me back & as long as you persevere, things usually work out in the end. Shauna has a refreshing, no regrets attitude. From one Valley girl to another, I hope her business continues to be healthy & flourish!

Check out the Pronutz website for more info & don’t forget to “like” their Facebook page so that you can get the latest updates!

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The image shown in this post is used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.