Marie Sharp: Made in Belize (The Authorized Biography)

Deborah Wagnon's Marie Sharp: Made in Belize (The Authorized Biography) tells the story of an extraordinary woman from Belize who overcame societal barriers, as well as personal and professional setbacks, to build a hugely successful worldwide business, Marie Sharp's Fine Foods, Ltd.

The book traces Marie's life from her early years in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and Dangriga, Belize, through her 50-plus years of marriage, the creation of her first habanero pepper sauce, the development of her business, and her ongoing advocacy of and support for efforts to empower the young women and girls of Belize and Central America. The book describes how Marie overcame devastating events throughout the course of her career, including the loss of her first trademark, betrayals by business partners, the loss of her husband, and the murder of her eldest son. Through it all, she persevered and continues to serve as a shining example of what is possible with hard work, passion, and the will to succeed.

Marie Sharp: Made in Belize is a powerful and highly personal story that not only recounts an incredible life, but also highlights the ways in which Marie and other women like her are helping their cultures and societies evolve into more inclusive and supportive spaces for woman entrepreneurs and leaders.

Deborah Wagnon is a practicing entertainment and intellectual property attorney with her own firm, Portia Entertainment Group LLC, tenured full professor in the Department of Recording Industry, College of Media & Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University, and founder and faculty leader of the International Classroom Initiative promoting creativity and innovation in developing regions. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School, her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Goddard College, and her Bachelor of Science in management from Georgia Tech.