{"id":1453,"date":"2024-08-05T11:01:15","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T15:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miwf.org\/?page_id=1453"},"modified":"2024-09-30T23:45:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T03:45:16","slug":"womanup-pitch-2024-winners-and-finalists","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miwf.org\/business-programs\/womanup-pitch\/womanup-pitch-2024-winners-and-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"WomanUp & Pitch 2024 Winners and Finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our 2024 WomanUp & Pitch finalists worked on their business plans and pitches to compete for the $10,000 first-place prize, $5,000 second-place prize and $2,500 third-place prize in four distinct competitions held in March 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to our sponsor Consumers Energy Foundation<\/a>, we awarded $140,000 in cash prizes to local businesses to help grow their entrepreneurial dreams, improve their communities and invest in our state. Find out more about our WomanUp & Pitch competitions, including eligibility requirements. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out our amazing 2024 finalists and winners below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WomanUp & Pitch Statewide Food Winners and Finalists \u2013 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Renata<\/figure>
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First Place \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Renata Fernandez Dominguez and Bek Ostosh, Madre Masa & Tortillas<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Madre Masa & Tortillas produce local, organic, nixtamalized, stone-ground corn masa and tortillas. Our products are freshly made using Michigan heirloom whole corn kernels.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"christina<\/figure>
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First Place \u2013 Established Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Christina Coden, Red Hots Chili<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Red Hots Chili started in 1921 as a family-owned brick and mortar Coney Island located in Highland Park. Knowing my parents would retire, I began figuring out how to package and sell the chili. In July 2021 the Coney Island closed, and Red Hots Chili made its debut in grocery stores.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Gabrielle<\/figure>
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Second Place \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Gabrielle Reed, Detroit Berry Company<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Detroit Berry Company creates handmade chocolate-covered treats specializing in chocolate-covered strawberries. We don\u2019t just create treats, we cultivate memorable experiences that bring people together one berry at a time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Lisa<\/figure>
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Second Place \u2013 Established Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Session, DA BOMB TACO<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DA BOMB TACO features explosively flavorful tacos and more! Our brand combines authentic Mexican flavors with expert craftsmanship and genuine hospitality to provide an experience that is guaranteed to blow you away!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Third Place \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Anna June, Super Cookie<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Founded in Michigan in 2023, Super Cookie offers premium, healthy cookies targeting health-conscious shoppers, families and snack lovers. My unique product caters to three emerging trends: less sugar, plant-based, and allergen-free, filling a huge market gap.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"shinia<\/figure>
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Third Place \u2013 Established Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Shinia Malloy, Plenti Pastas Plus More<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Plenti Pastas Plus More delivers delicious and innovative pasta dishes, crafted with high quality ingredients plus MORE! We offer a variety of food services including full-service catering, private chef experiences, food by the pan and individual meals.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"dymond<\/figure>
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Finalist \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dymond Hill, DK Sweet Shop<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DK Sweet Shop crafts soul-satisfying sweets, putting a unique spin on your favorite desserts. We offer traditional favorites like cupcakes, cakes and banana pudding plus unique creations, like our best-selling dessert egg rolls.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"charisse<\/figure>
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Finalist \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Charisse Mills, Modern Maison Co.<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Modern Maison Co. provides artisan and aesthetic charcuterie boxes and grazing tables for corporate clients and event planners in the Metro Detroit region.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"maneeka<\/figure>
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Finalist \u2013 Established Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Maneeka Beasley, Cakes By the Jar<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cakes By the Jar offers single serving cake jars to save time, money and reduce waste. Our goal is to provide a convenient dessert solution for an on-a-go lifestyle. We offer four signature flavors Straw buh-buh berry Shortcake, Chocolate High Toffee-mel, Lemon Crunch Cake, and Vanilla Milkshake and a new flavor every quarter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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WomanUp & Pitch 2024 Statewide Food Competition Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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WomanUp & Pitch Southeast Michigan Winners and Finalists \u2013 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tiff<\/figure>
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First Place \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tiff and Riss Dezort, Eastside Roasterz<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eastside Roasterz is a coffee roaster and soon-to-be coffee shop based in Detroit! While we currently supply freshly-roasted specialty coffees and Detroit-inspired clothing to consumers and businesses throughout the U.S., we will be opening East English Village\u2019s only coffee shop in Summer 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Shayla<\/figure>
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First Place \u2013 Established Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Shayla N. Johnson, Scarlet Crane<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scarlet Crane is a dedicated micro-batch textile printing house in Detroit that specializes in sustainable hand-printed fabrics and creates home d\u00e9cor products and lifestyle accessories. We offer a variety of DIY print making workshops along with our handmade goods. We believe strongly in building community and sharing the love of screen-printing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Zienethe<\/figure>
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Second Place \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Zienethe \u201cZina\u201d Adewole, The Damage Zone<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Damage Zone will be Detroit\u2019s first premier rage\/smash room offering an alternative therapy for emotionally reactive adults and children. The Damage Zone allows the individual the opportunity to rage out destructively in a controlled, safe, and nonjudgmental environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Allison<\/figure>
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Second Place \u2013 Established Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Allison Jordan, FDN-P<\/strong>, Better Belly Therapies<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Better Belly Therapies heals women from gut health issues like bloating, constipation, acid reflux and IBS. The Better Belly Method also helps whole body health including hormone, skin, sinuses, sleep, focus, memory, and mental health.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ayesha<\/figure>
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Third Place \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ayesha Qureshi, Cultured Cuties<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cultured Cuties promotes diversity and inclusivity through our line of peelable magnetic dolls, enabling kids to explore different cultures while indulging in imaginative play. Each doll represents a different country with culturally-appropriate outfits and accessories, a recipe card to learn about the food from that country and a passport filled with fun facts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"satara<\/figure>
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Third Place \u2013 Established Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Satara Holliday, First Love Tours<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First Love Tours is a Detroit-based motor coach company specializing in state-to-state and local travel for family, community and corporate groups.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"christian<\/figure>
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Finalist \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Christian Moon, Mom Wellness Cave<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Mom Wellness Cave is a Wellness Center that supports moms in their motherhood journey through wellness products, self care and mental health services and interactive workshops.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Tamara<\/figure>
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Finalist \u2013 Startup Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tamara Lincoln, Lincoln Stone Paper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lincoln Stone Paper is a sustainable stationery company with a focus on stone paper notebooks, greeting cards and sketchbooks. We strive to preserve the Earth as well as preserving people\u2019s thoughts to help push people forward with mental health.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"laura<\/figure>
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Finalist \u2013 Established Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Laura Luchtman, L Sharp Productions<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

L Sharp Productions is a full-service entertainment company that offers karaoke, bar games and DJ services for all occasions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Roniesha<\/figure>
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Finalist \u2013 Established Business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Roniesha Love, R Love Extensions<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

R Love Extensions offers high-quality 100% single-donor human hair wigs, bundles, extensions, and all-natural haircare products. Our mission is to fight alopecia and provide support to our customers throughout their hair journey.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Watch the 2024 Southeast Michigan WomanUp & Pitch competition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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