Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Marmion.
Hi Olivia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
C ZNL Treats, pronounced: “Sea-sonal” Treats, is named for my three daughters: Chloe, Zoe and Nora Lee. For years, I have loved making these delicious, chocolate-coated treats for my family, but it wasn’t until I became a new stay-at-home mom in 2020 that I decided to turn this “seasonal” hobby into a business and fully go after my social-entrepreneurship dreams! While social distancing, it was important for me to stay in touch with friends and family and continue to celebrate special occasions with them from afar. So, I did what most people did and scoured the internet to find versatile, delicious and unique treat options to gift; treats that could satisfy sweet and savory cravings for any occasion. But where were the fun, fancy desserts that could be given on birthdays AND also anniversaries? Where were the original salty/sweet treats that could be paired with milk AND wine? It was then that I realized C ZNL Treats needed to make its debut because cookies could never! This business idea that I had, and the ability to put my plans into action to create C ZNL Treats LLC, would not have been possible without my faith in God and the loving support of my husband and family.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? No. I’ve had and still have a few struggles. One of my main struggles has been finding the time to do it all! As a new business owner, I’m still learning a lot as I go and I have so many grand ideas, but it can be difficult finding adequate time to devote to the business (in the way that I’d like) when I’m also a full-time mom to a young adult, a toddler and a baby (two of which are at home). So, how do I manage? Well, the biggest thing I’ve learned is how to pace myself, understanding that my business is a long-term journey, and I really don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Additionally, I have big goals and many exciting, creative ideas for my business, but I don’t have to launch them all right now either— this gives me some peace. Another obstacle that I face and still struggle with is perfectionism. I’m the type who wants to have everything figured out, understood, perfectly executed and running efficiently before I even start! But I’m learning that this mindset kept me stagnant for years— constantly putting off my entrepreneurial goals. So, I’m proud of myself for starting, even with all my unanswered questions.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
C ZNL Treats is a girl-powered family business that specializes in salty-sweet, fun, fancy treats! We currently offer chocolate-coated, layered, crispy cracker treats that are filled with following nostalgic flavors: peanut butter, campfire, coconut, chocolate cherry, peanut butter pretzel and chocolate hazelnut. Our delicious treats and flavor combinations were all developed in my home-kitchen right here in Austin, TX and are available for local delivery (to Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock and Georgetown, TX). There are two things that set us apart from others: one is that we pride ourselves on being the “fun, fancy” treats, so we’re perfect for any occasion! Our flavors are what keeps us “fun” and able to hang out at birthday parties, while our elegant exteriors are “fancy” enough for wedding day dessert tables. We’re versatile like that! The second thing that sets us apart is that we’re a cracker-based dessert. Because of the savory cracker and the sweetness of the fillings and chocolate coating, our treats can be paired with almost any beverage: from milk to even wine! While I’m so very proud of our delicious treats that are wonderfully unique, I’m most proud of dedicating this business to my girls and of our mission. My mission in business and in life is to inspire my three daughters and other girls too: dream big, do good and take up space! We “dream big” by looking beyond our circumstances and setting audacious goals. We “do good” by giving back to our communities and supporting others. We “take up space” by using our voices to speak up for what is right and by bringing our full selves to the table, unapologetically! A portion of our profits will be donated to charitable organizations whose missions align with ours, with a focus on empowering young women of color with entrepreneurial dreams! My hope for what I’m building here with C ZNL Treats is for a successful business that goes beyond selling a delicious product, my hope is for impact.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice would be to put yourself out there and try pushing yourself beyond what you’re comfortable with. I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s a part of intentional growth and stretching professionally as a business owner. What works well for me is researching ways in which I can connect with others and simply going for it, even if that means I’m going alone. I look for networking events with fellow entrepreneurs and small business webinars, I register for them, and I show up! Attending small business events and meetups has worked wonders for me in terms of learning what it takes to run a business and networking with business-minded, passionate people to connect with. Surrounding myself with fellow entrepreneurs inspires and challenges me to keep growing!
Pricing:
- $15.00/half dozen treat box
Contact Info:
- Email: cznltreats@gmail.com
- Website: www.cznltreats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cznl_treats/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cznltreatsllc?lang=en
Image Credits:
Karla Hernz, KollectiveLuv Photography
