Finalists named in Momentum Business Plan competition

Finalists named in Momentum Business Plan competition

LUDINGTON — Five finalists have been named in the Momentum Business Plan Competition, set to take place on Thursday, May 25 at Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S. Harrison St. The local business owners will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and a live audience during the “Shark Tank-style” event in hopes of taking home a cash prize to help fund their business ventures.

Any Mason County for-profit or non-profit venture with a viable business idea, plan or invention – or existing organization or company with less than $250,000 in sales or revenue annually – was eligible to apply for this competition, administered by the Chamber Alliance of Mason County. The finalists were chosen from a pool of applicants and have a chance to win $15,000 in cash and $10,000 in business support services. Attendees at Pitch Night will have the opportunity to also choose their favorite and vote for the $5,000 People’s Choice award. 

Chosen from 14 contest applicants, the five finalists who will present their pitches on May 25 are:

• State and Main Coffee, Scottville: Owner Lisa Cooper hopes to offer a place where the community can come together for the best cup of coffee in the historic People’s State Bank building at the crossroads of State and Main streets at 101 S. Main St. in downtown Scottville. She plans to serve local professionals, neighbors, and travelers.
• Common Grace Birth Support: Owned by Maggie Butler and Abigail Butler, this business is born out of a desire to increase perinatal care for families in Mason, Oceana and surrounding counties. The duo plan to provide birth education classes, birth doula services and postpartum doula care. 

• Hassle Free Restaurant Cleaners: This company, owned by Jeff Patterson of Ludington, hopes to serve as a one-stop-shop for restaurants when it comes to cleaning and maintenance needs. The four principal services offered will be recurring janitorial, window clearing, hood-vent cleaning and maintenance, and floor care/carpet cleaning. 

• Side Step Farms: This is an 80-acre farm south of Scottville, owned US Marine Corp veterans, Molly Guthrie and Megan Marsteller. The goal of the farm owners is to provide organic produce that is grown with contemporary lean waste-reduction initiatives to increase production and promote operational sustainability.The 2023 market garden will include an intensive planting of 52 varieties of produce and 42 varieties of Michigan native perennials, as well as eggs, honey and hay. It is the only no-till and regenerative-focused farm within the surrounding market areas.

• Wave Nutrition: This new business will be located alongside More Cottage Works in downtown Ludington. It will offer healthy protein shakes, energizing tea bombs, loaded coffee, pre- and post-workout refreshers and protein oats. It is owned by Dann and Julie VanDyke.

The Momentum Business Plan Competition is funded by Pennies from Heaven Foundation.