The Maruva DQ Team

We are often asked what "Maruva" means so here is the "Maruva DQ story." 

In 1995, Marcella Hayes Muhammad took a leap of faith, retired from teaching and moved with her husband from California to Atlanta, Georgia to practice her art full time. Her mother, Ruth Hayes, decided to come also. Marcella soon met Virginia Thompson who encouraged her to start her own business. So the name, (MA)Marcella, (RU)Ruth, (VA)Virginia, was created. Virginia left the company in 1997 when she moved to New York. In 2000, Marcella's sister, Dianne Quarles left her job and joined Maruva. When we incorporated, we added DQ to the name. We also realized that the (RU) encompassed our grandmother who was also named Ruth. Finally a chance incident brought to our attention that our great grandmother, known to us only as "Momma Ginny," had the maiden name of Virginia Thompson . . . the exact same name as our first partner! So "Maruva DQ" represents four generations of strong, creative women; two sisters, our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and an angel who encouraged Marcella to start the company.

Biography:
    Marcella Hayes Muhammad
     Dianne Hayes Quarles