My name is Beth (Barton) Shaub. My parents started the Hartville Chocolate Factory over 30 years ago, when I was still in middle school. While we have been making chocolate for several years, that is not all we do. We also manufacture chocolate making equipment, plastic molds and custom logo creations. I tell people that we do more with chocolate than Hershey does. I consider myself to be the "goodwill ambassador" of the company. I manage our Marketplace store, speak to groups such as yours and give tours at our new visitor's center, Cocoa Concepts. In addition to working at the chocolate factory, I am also involved in children's ministry at the Celebration Worship Center. To work with chocolate and children, both, is a glorious thing. I am almost always surrounded by happy people, which is a wonderful blessing.
I was born and raised in Akron, attended college and lived in Pennsylvania for 16 years, then moved back to the area 12 years ago. I have a degree in French and Spanish, and hope to one day be certified to teach English as a Second Language. I have 3 children. Hannah, age 23, is a Moody Bible Institute graduate, with a degree in Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation. She has traveled to India 3 times in the past 5 years, but currently works at a safe house for trafficked women here in Ohio. Benjamin, 19 years old, is studying Civil Engineering and performs with Rhythm and Roos, an acapella group, at the University of Akron. He just returned from Costa Rica a week ago. (On a side note, Ben was selected to attend RYLA camp in 2015 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!) My youngest, Mary, is almost 16 years old and she attends Lake High School. She enjoys drawing, acting, writing and singing, as well as playing the flute and piano. The four of us love to take small trips together, albeit only for a day or two. We always seem to have fun!
One day, I would like to open my own business, one that creates an awareness, provides training and offers hope for "women in transition" around the world. It would feature homemade baked goods, chocolates, pastries and coffee, as well as handmade goods from organizations which reach out to women in the struggle. This business would be a culmination of my life experiences, as well as a testimony to God's grace.