Bougie Breakfast Jam has been named the winner of the Start Garden 5x5 North Pitch Competition, earning a $5,000 investment after competing against four other finalists and pitching before a live audience and panel of judges at Birch & Blossom in Hart. The company was selected from a field of more than 30 applicants.
Owned by Lisa and Royce Zook, Bougie Breakfast Jam creates specialty jams and spreads featuring alcohol-inspired flavors and a variety of fruits, delivering unique products for breakfast, charcuterie boards, baking, glazes and cocktails. The business partners with local distilleries to create distinctive flavor experiences that help set its products apart in the marketplace.
The annual competition brings together emerging entrepreneurs from across the region, with finalists receiving business coaching and the opportunity to compete for startup funding by presenting five slides in five minutes.
"We are incredibly excited and grateful to receive this investment," said Lisa Zook. "Winning the 5x5 competition is a tremendous honor and comes at the perfect time for our business. This funding will help us continue growing, expanding our reach and preparing for new opportunities. We're thankful for everyone who has supported us along the way and believed in what we're building."
The award comes as Bougie Breakfast Jam prepares for another significant milestone. From Nov. 18 through Dec. 23, the company will operate at the inaugural Studio Park Market in Grand Rapids, bringing its gourmet jams and spreads to shoppers throughout the holiday season. The seasonal market location positions the business in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids and provides an opportunity to introduce its products to thousands of new customers.
"Bougie Breakfast Jam exemplifies the type of entrepreneurial innovation we want to encourage in the county," The Right Place Economic Development Director for Newaygo County Mark Kraus said. "Lisa has built a unique brand with strong market potential, and we're excited to see how this investment helps accelerate the company's growth both locally and throughout the region."
The Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership’s mission is to drive sustainable economic growth in Newaygo County and surrounding areas.
The Start Garden 5x5 North Pitch Competition is a collaborative effort between the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership, Oceana County Economic Alliance, Lake County Economic Development Alliance, Chamber Alliance of Mason County, The Right Place and Start Garden. The competition is designed to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural communities by connecting founders with capital, mentorship and business development resources.
The Right Place, Inc., is a regional nonprofit founded in 1985 with the mission to drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids Region. The Right Place works to achieve this mission by focusing on three core areas: People, Place, and Prosperity. The Right Place is an Accredited Economic Development Organization as designated by The International Economic Development Council.
For more information about future entrepreneurial programs and volunteer opportunities, please contact Kraus at krausm@rightplace.org or Curtis Burdette at burdettec@rightplace.org.
