And the winners are…
We’re excited to announce that Sweet Lee’s Teas took first place at the 2024 Michigan Good Food Fund Business Pitch Competition! Our judges were blown away by business owner Kahleea Washington’s commitment to creating delicious products that prioritize health benefits and environmentally sustainable practices. Washington plans to use the $5,000 cash prize to elevate Sweet Lee’s Teas’ marketing strategies — from creating fresh labeling and packaging to implementing new customer outreach software.
But Sweet Lee’s wasn’t the only winner at this exciting event. We awarded $3,000 to second-place winner Aiyenede Akhigbe, owner of Sticky Spoons Jam, and $2,000 to third-place winner Fernando Rios of Guac and Roll. Akhigbe also won a $5,000 technical assistance award.
Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you to our judges and partners who made this event possible!
Meet the Winners
 Kahleea WashingtonSweet Lee’s Tea Lansing, MI |
 Aiyenede AkhigbeSticky Spoons Jam Niles, MI |
|
Meet the Judges
We’re grateful to our stellar lineup of judges for lending their time and expertise to make this event a success. In addition to participating in the live event, our judges reviewed over 30 applications to select this year’s finalists.
Jazmin Anderson, Director of Equitable Economic Development at Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)
With a passion for fostering prosperity in underserved communities, Anderson spearheads business programming aimed at empowering entrepreneurs from all walks of life. At LEAP, Anderson collaborates with community partners to ensure that the most marginalized individuals have access to resources and opportunities necessary for economic advancement.
Terri Barker, Economic & Community Development Analyst at Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
As the food and agriculture lead for South and Southeast Michigan, Barker works with food processors in all sectors. Barker also supports communities with developing equitable access to food entrepreneurial resources.
Theresa Dubiel, Chief Experience Officer at Lake Trust Credit Union
Having worked at Lake Trust for 18 years, Dubiel is a credit union advocate and leader with a passion for helping people and partnering on community impact. Having seen the impact small business owners can have on their communities, Dubiel is also a proud supporter of entrepreneurship.
Jorge Gonzalez, Co-Director at Start Garden
Before joining the team at Start Garden in 2017, Gonzalez served as the Executive Director of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Director of Economic Development at LINC UP. Gonzalez also boasts 15 years in the banking industry, complete with five years as a Vice President of Community Development.
David Rhoa, Executive Director at Small Business Association of Michigan Foundation
A serial entrepreneur, Rhoa (pronounced “Roy”) has pervasive experience in small business and enterprise management. Rhoa is a strong advocate for his industry, having served as a three-time delegate to the @National Small Business Association’s Small Business Congress and participated in White House briefings on small business issues.
About the Event
Kicking off the MSU Product Center’s Making It In Michigan tradeshow and conference, the 2024 Michigan Good Food Fund Business Pitch Competition gave three food product-makers the stage to tell our esteemed panel of judges about themselves, their businesses, and why they should take home the big prize.
This year, each finalist walked away with a cash prize provided by Michigan Good Food Fund lending partners Lake Trust Credit Union and Fair Food Network, and one business received a $5,000 technical assistance award, powered by Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Pure Michigan Business Connect.
Missed this year’s pitch? Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay in the loop with all things Michigan Good Food Fund.