Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte didn't want to be overly ambitious when launching a business in New York in 2014. Some items feature "a fun twist," Marshall says: The salted chocolate cookie sandwich with white chocolate ganache resembles a fancier, French version of an Oreo. Sormonte and Marshall didn't know how much launching a cafe in New York would cost, and ended up spending $250,000. The praise brought in waves of customers, and Maman brought in roughly $2 million in revenue during its first full year. And it was great," Marshall says, adding: "Next thing you know, we're the hottest cookie in New York."

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Persons: Elisa Marshall, Benjamin Sormonte didn't, Marshall, Oprah Winfrey, Sormonte, — Marshall, childhoods, Armand Arnal —, Sormonte's, Marshall didn't, Maman Organizations: CNBC, Michelin Locations: New York, SoHo, Toronto, France, Montreal, Ibiza, Spain, New, Tribeca