Founder Spotlight: Lola Marie (Chocolate and the Chip)

Meet Lola Marie

Chocolate and the Chip

Woman-owned and operated bakery specializing in all-natural edible and ready-to-bake chocolate chip cookie dough.

Location:

Los Angeles, California, USA

When did you launch the business?

2019

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Startup Stage?

Bootstrapping

What led you to where you are today?

After working on my recipe for years and years, I opened a little Etsy shop as a side hustle. When it became a best seller in just a few short months, I knew I had something special on my hands. Over time, the recipe evolved with my customers in mind, and this final version is my best yet—an all-natural, gluten-free, and vegan chocolate chip cookie dough that doesn’t taste like you’re missing out on a thing.

What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?

I wish I knew how much of entrepreneurship is about learning as you go and being okay with making mistakes. It’s not just about having a great product; it’s about building systems, managing the unexpected, and staying resilient through challenges. If I could go back, I’d remind myself to trust the process and lean into the lessons—it’s all part of the journey.

What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?

The most difficult decision I’ve had to make is learning when to shift gears and take my foot off the pedal. It was a necessary step to adjust my recipe and bring it to the level I always imagined, while also reworking the packaging to truly reflect the quality and care behind the product. Sometimes, you have to make tough calls when something isn’t working, even if it means slowing down for a while. Taking that time allowed me to refine everything, and now everything has fallen into place, and I’m ready to scale back up stronger than ever.

What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?

From perfecting recipes to navigating the challenges of packaging and scaling a food business, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned along the way. I’d also love to connect with others, exchange ideas, and collaborate to support this incredible community of plant-based entrepreneurs.

How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?

The VEGPRENEUR community can help by being a space to connect, collaborate, and share experiences. I’m always looking to learn from others who’ve navigated similar challenges as I continue to scale my business. More than anything, I want to be part of a network that supports and lifts each other up, so we can all grow and make an even bigger impact together.