From learning how to make fudge as a child, Pam Sawyer has turned her knowledge of chocolate sweets into a profitable business.

She and her husband Tim are longtime entrepreneurs, having first operated a Pepperidge Farm bread franchise which is now being run by another family member. “It was after we moved to Mathews,” Pam explained, “which is what my husband wanted to do. I’m a Newport News native and really a city girl but we decided on Mathews in 1991 because of the school system (we had two children in school at the time) that we ventured into retail business.”

In 1998 the Sawyers went into the landscaping business, finding a spot in White Stone. Due to health reasons Pam had to make some changes, including their location. They bought an existing landscaping and garden center and gift shop in 2001 which Pam operated with Tim’s help. They named their business Country Cottage.

Always looking to make improvements and new products available, Pam o...