Northwest Arkansas is Sweet on Markham & Fitz Chocolate

About the Show:We sat down with Lauren Blanco, the Co-Founder, and CEO of Markham and Fitz Chocolate in Bentonville.  Lauren shared her origin story and how she found success with making Chocolate. Hear how time spent in war-torn parts of West Africa introduced her to the Cocoa Bean.  Learn how they developed the Markham & Fitz name - hint, they wanted a solid trademark.Discover how Lauren’s mom's baking skills influenced her.  Learn why Dark Chocolate is good for you and why Markham & Fitz uses organic ingredients simply to make their chocolate stand out in the crowded candy bar market. The higher the percentage of chocolate in a bar, the less sugar is involved.  According to Lauren, the health benefits of chocolate started in bars with 70 percent or more chocolate.  You can visit their Dessert Bar and Cafe at the 8th St. Market in Bentonville to sample their goodies.  You can also order their chocolate bars and confections online for delivery on their website - MarkhamandFitz.com. And, if that is not enough on Friday afternoons, you can stop by the shop and try out new chocolate offerings before they release them to the public.In addition to ordering the chocolate bars online and at the 8th St. Market, you can also find Markham & Fitz Chocolate Bars at Ozark Natural Foods, Whole Foods, and Snack Labs.All this and more on this “SWEET” episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Connect with Lauren BlancoWebsite for Markham & FitzMarkham & Fitz on InstagramMarkham & Fitz on FacebookThe video we did for Markham & FitzWebsite for Onyx Coffee LabMention the Discount Code: IAMNWA10 for 10 Percent off your Chocolate purchase online at Markham & Fitz. This episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026