During their Making It in Michigan conference on Nov. 11, 2009, the Michigan State University (MSU) Product Center also presented awards to some pretty impressive entrepreneurs. The awards are given annually to Product Center clients who are innovative and successful in marketing and distributing their goods.
Take a look at these success stories:
Harry Clark of Cherry Bowl Gifts & Goodies was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Product Center. Clark started Cherry Bowl Gifts & Goodies to complement the Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre. Located in Honor, the Cherry Bowl is a restaurant and gift shop carrying old-fashioned northern Michigan products. The restaurant has a full menu and cooks up “homemade food at a reasonable price.”
Sue Spagnuolo won the Best Barrier Buster award with her company Dolce Vita Goat Dairy, which she launched in April. Spagnuolo worked with the Product Center to start the Dolce Vita out of Greenbush Farms in St. Johns. Dolce Vita specializes in goat dairy products, especially cheese, which can be found in area grocery stores and the MSU Dairy Stores on campus.
Marion BioEnergy of Belmont was awarded with the Best Innovative Business Idea. In an mLive.com article, founder and president Dan Blackledge said he collaborated with MSU researcher Dennis Miller on studying canola as a renewable fuel.
The Start-up to Watch award was presented to Judy, Lynda and Sue Herkner of Herkner’s Foods. Herkner’s Foods specializes in cherry topping and spread and is based out of Traverse City.
In addition, the Product Center teamed up with Lansing-based L&L Food Centers to select two Michigan entrepreneurs’ food products to be shelved at the chain’s eight stores.
Martha Levandowski, L&L brand manager; Rick Zahm, L&L general manager and a team of specialty food experts selected Johnny B’s Cookies’ dessert products and Muschie’s Baked Goods’ granola products as part of a contest during Making It in Michigan. Read more here.
Congratulations to the winners, and to the staff members at the MSU Product Center for helping make these dreams come true.
