Lecia Colette Duke has distinguished herself as an entrepreneur, applying years of experience to her work with Quintessential Chocolates. For her contributions to the food and confectionery industry, she has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who with induction into its biographical volumes. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Duke has built a lasting legacy through the love of chocolate.
Intern Architect Before Chocolatiér
Before entering the confectionery industry, Duke pursued an education in architecture. In 1980, she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Houston. Upon earning her degree, she began her professional career as an intern architect and designer for Morris Aubrey Architects. Following this, she served as an architectural and graphic director with R.C. Mathews Construction Co. from 1981 to 1985 and Architectural Alliance Inc. from 1985 to 1986.
While completing her architectural degree abroad, Duke fell in love with great chocolate. Within a few years after her return to the US, she began blending her penchant for design with culinary skills to create something new. Initially, she created elaborate custom fundraising items, personalized, corporate, “thank you” or product-launch gifts. Duke earned certification through the Wilton School of Cake Decorating and Confectionery Art in 1984. She founded Quintessentials Inc. in Nashville the same year to allow for these artistic and culinary creations.
Finding a New Path Forward
Soon, an unbelievable opportunity presented itself. Intrigued by the liquor-filled chocolates she experienced in Europe, Duke had the opportunity to speak with the team at Jack Daniel’s about creating the first American-made liquor chocolate.
Inspired by the potential of this collaboration, she sought professional training with a Swiss master chocolatier. She presented these whiskey-filled chocolates to Brown-Forman Beverages in Nashville in 1987 and licensed with them to get the product branded and distributed nationwide.
The European Liqueur Baton was unknown in America. It faced some legal opposition in certain states and required modification. Duke redesigned the piece to be bite-sized, reduced the sugar shell structure, increased the volume of liquid inside, and relocated it to a legal state. Reflecting these changes, she re-branded her company as Quintessential Chocolates Co. Inc., which as of 1998 is now located in Fredericksburg, Texas. Today, she excels in her industry and continues to oversee a significant portion of the company’s day-to-day operations.
Awards, Accolades, and Reasons for Success
For her work as an entrepreneur and in the field of chocolate making, Duke has earned several awards and accolades. Some of the most notable include the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for Innovation from the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2001, as well as the American Tasting Institute’s American Taste Award for five products in 1998 and for six products in 1997.
Personally, Duke attributes her current success to the moments of failure in her life. When failure causes her to doubt her own way forward, something inside her tells her that she can leave a greater legacy. She is always able to remind herself of her capabilities and pursue long-term success. She has written a book on this subject and her career, called “Lone Star Chocolatiér: Personal Perspectives on the Divinity of Life.”
Plans for the Future
Duke has already changed the corporate structure of her artisan business to prepare for “the girls” — her daughter and two staff members she considers close enough to be her daughters — to inherit the business. She continues to be proud of the business she has created and the daughter she raised. She is the oldest and only chocolatier in America to create and nationally distribute American-made liqueur praliné, known as liquid liquor-filled chocolates.
