IN MEMORIAM
“ She wanted to know the people she was doing business with personally , which can be a lost art in today ’ s day and age of technology as a communication means .”
IN MEMORIAM
Remembering Marnie Carabell
A devoted mother , grandmother and business owner , Marnie Carabell was a longtime Buffalo Wild Wings ® franchisee and FBS member .
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2016 Issue 3 | THE SCORE
Hard work , honesty and good business relationships were at the core of Marcia Janie “ Marnie ” Carabell ’ s business practices . As a pioneer for female franchisees of Buffalo Wild Wings ® , she applied those philosophies without compromise .
Honing her skills as a stock broker , financial planner and rental property owner , Marnie ’ s courageous spirit led her to embark on a journey as a franchisee in her late 50s . She believed strongly in the BWW brand , paving the way as one of the only female multiunit owner / operators . Almost 20 years later , Belle Holdings Inc . operates nine B-Dubs ® locations in central Virginia .
“ She wanted to know the people she was doing business with personally , which can be a lost art in today ’ s day and age of technology as a communication means .”
– Kevin Donham , Belle Holdings president
“ She was very proud to be one of the first women franchisees and loved the fact that Sally , Mary and Judy were such great leaders of the Buffalo Wild Wings brand ,” said Belle Holdings President Kevin Donham of the legacy Carabell leaves behind . “ In 1997 , she was willing to take a risk in her 50s opening the first Buffalo Wild Wings in Virginia ( Charlottesville ).”
As a businesswoman , Marnie operated with a high level of honesty and integrity , but it was her personal approach to developing relationships that guaranteed her success as an entrepreneur .
“ She was bold , opinionated and courageous in that she was unwilling to bend on her core principles . She had a high tolerance for risk and thrived in the face of a challenge ,” Donham said . “ She was an excellent negotiator and took stock in building relationships to accomplish business tasks . She wanted to know the people she was doing business with personally , which can be a lost art in today ’ s day and age of technology as a communication means .”
Born in Akron , Ohio , Marnie graduated from Old Trail School and Mount Vernon College . She was a member of the Junior League of Akron and Franchise Business Services . A devoted mother and grandmother , she enjoyed family , friends , gardening , horses and needlepoint , and she had a great passion for the game of bridge and the friends with whom she played .
“ Marnie was one of those characters you meet in life and never forget . She was extremely loyal , and I owe a lot to her and her family for the trust and opportunities they have given me ,” Donham said . “ We spent countless hours talking about everything from business and politics to general personal life topics like friends and family over the years . She was one of the most interesting people I ’ ve ever met , and I truly miss the time we spent together .”
Marnie lost her battle with cancer on May 2 , 2016 , at the age of 77 . She is survived by her son , Christopher Sinclair Carabell ( Samantha ) of Charlotte , North Carolina ; her daughter , Marcia Agnes Carabell ( Richard Cain ) of Rochelle , Virginia ; her daughter , Katherine Sanford Kagler ( Robert ) of Hudson , Ohio ; and her three grandchildren , Jack and Maggie Carabell and George Kagler . S