Welcome to the Anna Shea Chocolates blog! I want to use my first post to tell you about the people behind Anna Shea Chocolates. And to acknowledge some of the key people who helped to make this company what it is today.

Of course I must start with Tim and Anna Shea. Without Anna’s creative mind and brilliant aptitude for combining flavors, Tim’s marketing savvy and both of their incredible knowledge of chocolate, there would not be an Anna Shea Chocolates. Together they laid the foundation that I have been given the privilege to build upon. I thank them both for this opportunity and trusting me with their company.

Albert Schweitzer once said: ”At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
After a major life change in 2007, I found myself looking back over the last 30 years and realizing I had been living someone else’s dream, that my light had gone out. I kept asking myself, what is my dream, what is my passion? What do I want to do that will bring joy to my life? So when my sister Laurel or Dordi as I call her, invited me to spend some time with her in NY I decided to go. The day I walked into Anna Shea Chocolates in Katonah New York, I knew that I found that passion. From that point on things began to fall into place. Along with introducing me to a lot of really good restaurants, my sister introduced me to her best friend, Janet Carrus. During one of our weekly dinners, Janet told me that she wanted to be my partner! I thank her for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to live in a life surrounded by chocolate everyday!

As you all know, the economy was not the best in which to start a new business. During my year of preparing for the retail store opening I had a lot of doubt and fear. During that time, I had the total support and love of my sister, Laurel Lancaster. Her faith in me and my dream was unwavering. In more ways than one, without her, there wouldn’t be an Anna Shea Chocolates. Without her encouragement and her total belief in me I would not be living my dream. There are no words to express the deep appreciation that I feel for the doors she opened and the hours we have spent discussing chocolate!

This first blog posting is really to pay tribute to the people I have already mentioned, but I want to acknowledge the team that keeps Anna Shea Chocolates running smoothly today. Their dedication to the Anna Shea standards, customer service, quality control plus their contagious enthusiasm for the chocolate in general makes each and everyone of them a wonderful asset to the company. For that I am grateful and thankful.

Finally, to my family, Tommy, Lauren, Ashley, Emily and baby Elle, thank you for all you do to help me to keep on track everyday!

It’s a great day at Anna Shea!