Meet Lola Marie | Owner and Baker of Chocolate and the Chip

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lola Marie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lola, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My senior quote comes to mind when I’m asked about risk taking which was “Failure is the test of true greatness.” I’ve failed a lot but I don’t necessarily consider any of it actual failure. It’s either steered me in a new direction or allowed me to sharpen my focus and see whatever it is I’m doing in a new light. I feel like everything I’ve chosen to do in my life has been a risk in one way or another. Whether I’m being a full time singer songwriter or now running my own chocolate chip cookie business, I’m constantly taking risks creatively and financially at every single turn all with the mindset that I have no idea what I’m doing. And sometimes that’s true and sometimes I know more than I think I do. Taking a risk is just part of the process and dare I say an integral part. The more I live and try new things, the more I realize most people all feel the exact same way that I do and that’s mostly reassuring. We’re all just trying to do our best at whatever it is. Waking up everyday and living your truth and passion is the biggest risk you could ever take so if you’re on that journey, you know you just gotta keep showing up.

What should our readers know about your business?
I began Chocolate and the Chip a little over two years ago as a little Etsy shop. I had been perfecting my chocolate chip cookie game for many years at this point and finally decided to put them out into the world. Quickly becoming a best seller on Etsy, I realized I might have something pretty special here. Once I started popping up in Los Angeles in the beginning of 2020, things quickly snowballed. Getting recognition from Eater and being accepted as a seller on Goldbelly, things picked up pretty quick! There are a lot of delicious cookies here in Los Angeles and it would be ridiculous of me to say MINE ARE THE BEST so I’ll just tell you that they are pretty dang good. I specialize in a brown butter, soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie made with the best ingredients, responsibly sourced chocolate and the best of intentions. My dough has a delicious vanilla-cinnamon flavor which sets it apart from maybe what you’re used to. I ship my cookies nationwide and they can be found in local markets and coffee shops all around Los Angeles. I have a lot of delicious treats and collaborations coming this year and can’t wait to share them with you! Follow us on instagram and stay in the know!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d have to spend a Saturday over on Palms and Sepulveda! Starting the morning off with an incredible breakfast sandwich at AM Smash and some coffee from Likuid Element. Then I’d satisfy my sweet tooth with my favorite mango sticky rice from My Mango Sticky Rice and stroll into lunch with a smash burger from the King of Smash burgers, Tripp Burgers. That’s a whole morning and afternoon in one delicious sweep! After that, I gotta grab a few cocktails at the Mandrake bar in Culver City and head to dinner at the famous Bootleg Pizza for some pepperoni pizza. If that’s not a perfect day into night, I don’t know what is.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My friends over at Sara’s Market in East Los Angeles deserve all the love they get. Sara and Steven run a little market are such a staple to their community and it shows. They dedicate their shop to supporting small businesses around Los Angeles and even nationwide and have such a knack for curating the best, most delicious products.

Website: https://www.chocolateandthechip.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chocolateandthechip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chocolateandthechip

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chocolate-and-the-chip-inglewood?osq=chocolate+and+the+chip