(Livonia, Mich, May 10, 2016) –  MI Ice Pops is the Grand Prize winner of Buy Michigan Now’s (BMN) latest entrepreneur contest. The competition was designed to help people learn about new products that are made in Michigan. It is part of the campaign’s 8th Annual festival in August. MI Ice Pops will receive marketing tools worth over $1,000! That includes a booth at each of three upcoming BMN events.

About MI Pops

The winner, MI Ice Pops from East Lansing, makes frozen treats. They are naturally gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free. Each is also under 100 calories. They are free of dyes, preservatives and coloring, and are made primarily of locally grown or produced ingredients.

“I am so excited to have been chosen as the Buy Michigan Now’s 2016 Up & Coming Entrepreneur Contest Winner!  I do everything I can to source all ingredients from fruit and sweeteners to cocoa powder and lemongrass from Michigan businesses,” said owner Danielle Welke. “It has been a blast to support other Michigan businesses and I hope others will support me when they see me at the events throughout Michigan,” she added.

Grand Prize Details

MI Ice Pops will receive lots of marketing tools as the Grand Prize winner of the contest, including at events. First up, MI Pops can sell at the Michigan Market & Mayhem in Frankenmuth on Jul 16-17. Secondly, they can sell at the Buy Michigan Now Festival in Northville from Aug 5-7, and thirdly, at the Buy Michigan Now Fall Fest in Jackson on Oct 22-23. In addition, public relations efforts highlighting their company will be provided throughout each of those events.

The prize bundle also includes a free Premiere membership at BuyMichiganNow.com for one year. The company will be included as a Featured Business on BuyMichiganNowFest.com, as well as in the BMN monthly newsletter. Lastly, each of those opportunities will include links to the MI Pops website to aid in the company’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Runners Up

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, two other Michigan companies were recognized as Finalists in the contest.  They are Natural Red (Orion Twp, MI) and DyeCut & Color, LLC (Northville, MI).

Karen Guilmette, owner of Natural Red, designs and produces natural, organic personal care products ranging from lotions to sunscreen sticks to lip balms, and even lice prevention spray.

The other Finalist, led by entrepreneur Mary Aviles and Becky Young, designs custom bleached-out tee shirts, stadium blankets, and hoodies for men, women, and children, as well as designing accessories like laser-cut jewelry and metal-frame clutch purses.

“Each year our winners have told us that the opportunity the contest provides to garner exposure and gain new customers is invaluable,” said Buy Michigan Now founder Lisa Diggs. “We’re extremely proud to be able to help businesses like these grow. We know that as small companies like these prosper, our local economy will continue to rebound,” added Diggs.

Buy Michigan Now Festival

Additionally, the contest has become a popular tradition at the Buy Michigan Now Festival in Northville. The 8th annual event takes place August 5-7 in downtown Northville. In addition to teaming up again with downtown Northville to host the upbeat celebration of Michigan, Henderson Glass, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, The Catalyst Company, and Mousetrap Mobile are sponsors of the event.

Contact Buy Michigan Now at 248-390-0974 or Fest@BuyMichiganNow.com for information on vendor or sponsorship opportunities. A full list of events for the weekend will be announced at a later date. Visit www.BuyMichiganNowFest.com for the most up-to-date event information.

Contact Jeanne Micallef of IMJ Communications at 248-547-5576 or Jeanne@imjcommunications.com for press inquiries.

Author: bmnadmin