Parisian Dreams, American Cafe Success: How Maman Captured The French Vibe & Oprah’s Heart

Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte were young professionals when they met and fell in love in Montreal in the early 2010s, but both of them had dreams of something bigger.

Elisa had a passion for baking, but was stuck working a 9-5. Benjamin was a corporate lawyer who wanted to branch out to something new. They combined their knowledge of business and their passion for baking to found Maman, a Parisian-style café that started with just one location. Now, they do nearly $50 million in sales a year.

Maman Founders Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte talk to Liz about how their shared passion became a multimillion-dollar business, how they were able to expand the company to over 30 locations in just over a decade, and how Maman sticks out in a crowded industry.

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