Get to know Us
Danee’ Williams has worked in marketing and retail for over 20 years. She has extensive knowledge in the fashion industry, much of it working in small boutiques in Georgia and Florida. You could almost say Danee' was born into the business, as her mother, Lorna, raised her around the profession as a district manager with multiple large Women's Fashion focused clothing companies.
Upon moving to Ave Maria in 2015 with her husband, Matt, and children, Cole, Peyton, and Reese, Danee' had the pleasure of meeting Jeanne Weber Rush, the founder of the Secret Ingredient in the La Piazza. Jeanne and Danee’ became fast friends and Danee' soon found herself as the Manager for the Secret Ingredient here in Ave Maria.
While Danee' loved working for Jeanne at the Secret Ingredient, as well as the relationships she developed with the residents of Ave Maria, she had a calling of entrepreneurship. In 2017, along with husband Matt, and with the assistance of Matt's parents, Mark and Deeda DeLillo, the family opened Oil Well Craft Beer, a small taproom, and current brewery, in the Ave Maria Park of Commerce in 2017.
In 2020 Jeanne expressed interest in retiring and turning the Secret Ingredient over to someone special, that she knew had the passion and drive to maintain the Secret Ingredient as a staple in the Ave Maria community. Jeanne asked Danee' if she would be interested in purchasing the business and, as you know, the rest is history.
As the current owner of The Secret Ingredient of Ave Maria, Danee' maintains the high level of customer service and fashion know-how her patrons have been accustomed to over the years. She works tirelessly to keep pace with the ever changing fashion industry to bring the best clothing and accessories to the wonderful people of Ave Maria, and surrounding communities, at a fair price.
She is forever grateful to Jeanne for the opportunity, and to her amazing customers for their ongoing support.
