 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
|
ABOUT
Donya Marie’s, began in 2005. Owned and managed by
Donya and her husband Dr. Jason S. Schweizer. Starting with
chocolate truffles, chocolate sauces, and rum cakes, the
business quickly evolved into what Donya Marie believes
unequivocally, and that is, “a balanced diet is chocolate in
everything”. Donya also believes that DARK chocolate is the
ONLY chocolate.
Jumping from Arizona public official and legal career, to
successful food product designer and entrepreneur, was a
slightly circuitous route for Donya Marie. “Before leaving my
career, I rarely – if ever – cooked a gourmet meal. My
penchant, however, definitely included enjoying fine food and
quality restaurants back in Arizona. That love for distinctive
table fare, was definitely a sign of how things have evolved
into my becoming a closet food designer!” Donya started her
business at her husband’s urging her to start a business that
they could run in their retirement years.
Donya Marie’s, began in 2005. Owned and managed by
Donya and her husband Dr. Jason S. Schweizer. Starting with
chocolate truffles, chocolate sauces, and rum cakes, the
business quickly evolved into what Donya Marie believes
unequivocally, and that is, “a balanced diet is chocolate in
everything”. Donya also believes that DARK chocolate is the
ONLY chocolate.
Jumping from Arizona public official and legal career, to
successful food product designer and entrepreneur, was a
slightly circuitous route for Donya Marie. “Before leaving my
career, I rarely – if ever – cooked a gourmet meal. My
penchant, however, definitely included enjoying fine food and
quality restaurants back in Arizona. That love for distinctive
table fare, was definitely a sign of how things have evolved
into my becoming a closet food designer!” Donya started her
business at her husband’s urging her to start a business that
they could run in their retirement years.
While toying around with several ideas for a business that could grow quickly, she had a family get together and decided to
make something different for them: hand rolled chocolate truffles! They were, as one might imagine, a very big hit and Donya
Marie’s business was founded! A few Farmer’s Markets later, with hardly enough money grossed to have lunch on, she realized
the business model would have to change or they would starve to death in retirement! Rum cakes, chocolate ice cream sauces,
and biscotti were added. While revenue was better, it was not what Donya Marie envisioned. Knowing that combining chocolate
with certain spices brought out flavors that are usually lost, Donya thought, “Why not put chocolate in everything – it does belong
in everything?”
Four years of recipe development, production, and selling that led to a multi-state wholesale business, an on-line retail outlet,
and multiple retail venues at markets and shows finally led Donya and her husband full circle with their retirement dream of
owning and running Donya Marie's Beyond Chocolate on the Coast of Oregon.
Chocolate has a magical quality of making everything taste good. Some ingredient combinations may not allow the “taste” of
chocolate to come through, but if the chocolate is taken out, you are then left with an ordinary morsel with an all too usual taste.
All the products are produced in a commercial kitchen by Donya and her staff, with Donya Marie’s own recipes. Donya Marie’s
strives to keep many of the products natural, using only the finest ingredients.
make something different for them: hand rolled chocolate truffles! They were, as one might imagine, a very big hit and Donya
Marie’s business was founded! A few Farmer’s Markets later, with hardly enough money grossed to have lunch on, she realized
the business model would have to change or they would starve to death in retirement! Rum cakes, chocolate ice cream sauces,
and biscotti were added. While revenue was better, it was not what Donya Marie envisioned. Knowing that combining chocolate
with certain spices brought out flavors that are usually lost, Donya thought, “Why not put chocolate in everything – it does belong
in everything?”
Four years of recipe development, production, and selling that led to a multi-state wholesale business, an on-line retail outlet,
and multiple retail venues at markets and shows finally led Donya and her husband full circle with their retirement dream of
owning and running Donya Marie's Beyond Chocolate on the Coast of Oregon.
Chocolate has a magical quality of making everything taste good. Some ingredient combinations may not allow the “taste” of
chocolate to come through, but if the chocolate is taken out, you are then left with an ordinary morsel with an all too usual taste.
All the products are produced in a commercial kitchen by Donya and her staff, with Donya Marie’s own recipes. Donya Marie’s
strives to keep many of the products natural, using only the finest ingredients.