WOTW: Donna, when did you get started down this career path?
Donna: I am a 1988 graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI and I have degrees in Hotel & Restaurant Management and Hospitality Management. My original plan was to be in the Hospitality industry in some form or fashion. I realized pretty quickly that the Food and Beverage side of the business was not for me at the time. I decided to be a Sales Manager for Hyatt Hotels for a few years and then I left the business altogether. Eventually, I became a computer software trainer and technical writer for my mother's company PC Consulting & Training, Inc. A long way, it seems, from my formal education, but it was a move that would prove to be instrumental in starting my/our own business.

WOTW: What made you decide to start your own business?
Donna: In 2003, I suffered a very serious, near-death illness. I contracted ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, was in a medically induced coma for a month, and was eventually diagnosed with a disease known as B.O.O.P., Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia. The doctors told my parents on August 31, 2003 that they should begin preparations for my funeral because I was not likely to survive through the day. Through the grace of God, and the deep faith and prayers of my family and Church family, I made it. The road to recovery, however, would take over 2 years. Because I was immobile for 3 months, I was literally a quadriplegic. I had to undergo intense therapy to regain the skills and mobility I had once taken for granted. I had to learn to speak, swallow, walk, write, and even go to the bathroom, all over again. During my recovery, it was clear that I would not be able to return to being a trainer. I had lost my voice because of the tracheotomy I had, and my endurance would not allow me to travel as I once had. My mother and I would talk for hours about what I would do to support myself and my son once I got back to some semblance of normal. It was then that we started talking about opening a café and selling crafts and coffee and baked goods. Then one day in April 2005, my mother, the ultimate entrepreneur, Lorraine, said, "Since we are in the computer business anyway, why not open an Internet Café?" I thought it was brilliant, but feared that there were already a plethora of Internet Cafes in the area, and that we would never be able to compete. I did some research on the Internet and found out that there were no Internet Cafes in Montgomery County. That lit the fire. Even though I was unable to walk unassisted, I took advantage of the computer and the Internet and did about 85% of the work, research and filing of paperwork it took to get our café open. With the support of my Mother and family, Mother and I opened Sweet Bytes, etc. Internet Cafe in October, 2006. The first Internet Café in Montgomery County, PA.

WOTW: How do you account for the fact that as sick as you were, you were still able to push on and open Sweet Bytes?
Donna: It truly is a miracle that I am here today. It was the grace of God, my Mother's unshakable faith that I was going to live, and the prayers of literally hundreds of people all around this country, many of whom I don't even know. I always give a nod to the caring medical staff at Chestnut Hill Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for their loving care and dedication, and my ability to lean on the Lord and the will and strength He gave me and still gives me to push on to create Sweet Bytes and accomplish everything I do.

WOTW: What would you say you like best about having started your own business?
Donna: The ability to share the gifts I believe God gave me: making people feel welcome and special and comfortable. Watching them enjoy our food, and sharing it all with my best friend, my mom!!

WOTW: How important is it to have the help of your family, in particular your Mother?
Donna: If you know us for any length of time, the bond my Mother and I share is no secret. One of the most important things that came out of the ordeal of my illness was that everyone else got to see what an extraordinary mother I have. Her faith is unwavering, her love for me is unfathomable, and she has uncompromising integrity. I found out how blessed I am with a loving and supportive family. There is no doubt in my mind, that without them, my miracle would have been incomplete, and I would not be here today.

WOTW: Day to day, what is the hardest thing for you to accomplish?
Donna: It is very difficult for me to realize that I cannot do everything. I believe that being able to accept that I have to make choices and not be everything to everyone is most difficult for me. I must remember that my health comes first, and sometimes that means not doing everything I want to do or think I need to do.

WOTW: Aside from your extraordinary tale of survival, of what are you most proud?
Donna: It's difficult to choose one thing. So, I must say that if it is a person, it my son, Christopher. He is a loving, intelligent, wonderful young man who is turning out to be the special human being I'd always hope my child would be. I am also proud of the business my Mother and I have lost blood, sweat and tears over. Sweet Bytes is a place that makes people feel something very special when they walk through our doors, so special; in fact, that not a week goes by that someone doesn't say they feel a special "spirit" in this place. What started as a business and source of income has turned out to be something we didn't quite expect; a place where people not only enjoy our home cooking, but also are nourished body, mind and spirit. It is our ministry.

WOTW: Describe your philosophy and how you utilize it with your responsibilities at work.
Donna: I believe I speak for my mother when I say my philosophy is to offer the best of us first and foremost. That means not only being of service, but forging relationships with our customers. Secondly, we always want to serve delicious, comforting food, like Mom's Baked Macaroni and Cheese or North Carolina Pulled Pork, using the best ingredients in a place that makes you feel at home. That's why most of our food and baked goods are homemade. We put a lot of love into our dishes and hope that people feel it and taste it.

WOTW: What advice would you share to someone starting out?
Donna: Find people who are successful in the business and ask lots of questions. Be a sponge and always get more than one opinion about everything. Don't ever give up on your dream if you believe in it no matter what anyone says to discourage you.