For the next 14 years, he worked for several dry goods merchants in San Francisco and Oakland. During this time he met and married Marion Ellion Wilder, who was truly a woman ahead of her time. When they met, Marion was the private secretary to one of Berkeley's founders, and conducted much of his business. Marion was born April 13, 1866 in Oxford, Massachusetts, and died October 05, 1945 in Berkeley, California. She was the daughter of Lloyd Wilder and Martha Tourtellott.

In 1905, having a good grounding in the mercatile business, Andrew and Marion opened their own dry goods store - The Berkeley Lace House - at 2205 Shattuck Ave. The business expanded, and in 1920 or 1921 they started a large department store, in The Donogh Arms building, across the street from their original store. They retired from this business in 1934.

Instrumental in the growth and development of Berkeley, both Andrew and Marion's deaths were reported on page 1 of the Berkeley newspaper. The report of Marion's death was headlined "City Pioneer Leader Passes" and continues "Mrs. Marion E. Donogh whose adventurous pioneer spirit, progressive ideas, and far sighted planning did much toward the development of Berkeley, died yesterday in her home. She died as she had lived, her active mind still directing business matters, still planning for the future of the city she loved."