Buy Blue This Holiday Season
This year has presented a series of challenges for our entrepreneurs. With the COVID-19 global pandemic, many have moved their storefronts completely online, offered curbside pickup, or completely changed their offerings to meet the needs of customers. To show our appreciation for their pivots and perseverance, we’ve created a list of holiday gifts from University of Michigan students and alumni:
TASTE
GoNanas 
is a women-owned, vegan, gluten free, and top allergen free banana bread company at the forefront of the #1 comfort food trend. Co-founded by Annie Slabotsky, BSI ‘19, and Morgan Lerner, BA ’19.
Just Enough Wines are consciously crafted to meet the high quality standards that you deserve. Just Enough aims to make quality wine more accessible for all to enjoy. Founded by current student Kaitlyn Lo, MBA ’21 (expected).
Kojo Jerky a plant-based jerky company that allows you to still savor the meaty jerky taste you love, without sacrificing your values. Founded by Allyson Stewart, MBA ’17.
Savorista is caffeine conscious coffee! Savorista offers fantastic tasting decaf and low caf coffees for coffee lovers who are intentional about their caffeine. Founded by Kait Brown, MBA ‘14.
SMPL snack bites are infused with functional ingredients such as collagen and charcoal inside grab-and-go resealable packaging. Founded by Ellis Fried, BA ’17.
WEAR
Aurora Tights creates
athletic apparel for dancers and ice skaters in all shades and sizes. Founded by current student Imani Rickerby, MHSA ’21 (expected).
Thawra, parent company to Dearborn Girl, aspires to be the largest and most impactful media company representing Arabs and Muslims through authentic content. Founded by Rima Fadlallah, MBA ’20.
Holly Keith Lingerie is a luxury lingerie brand, focused on providing high-quality lingerie to large bust sized women through a new, innovative sizing system. Founded by Holly Meyers, MBA ’19.
Sahi Cosmetics boasts good for you luxury cosmetics for any undertone. Every product contains skin nourishing ingredients and it’s all cruelty-free and paraben-free! Founded by Shelly Sahi, MBA ’17.
State and Liberty Clothing Co. features athletic fit, athletic fabric dress clothes for men – providing more room in the upper body with a tailored waist. Founded by Steven Fisher, BS ‘13.
MOVE
FUSE45 hos
ts Fuse Live is an on-demand workout library that updates with new workouts daily. It gives participants access to an interactive online community and a 12-week wellness program. Founded by Sam Friedman, BBA ’10.
MySwimPro is a mobile application that delivers custom workouts, training plans, and coaching to help swimmers and athletes of all levels achieve their goals. Co-founded by Adam Oxner, BE ‘14.
Pickup Sports is one of the first companies for parents and other adults to introduce a variety of sports through an easily implemented program. Founded by Lakshmi Jayanthi, MBA ’09.
Revolin Sports, headquartered in Holland, Michigan, designs high-performance, eco-friendly pickleball paddles for the competitive, fun-loving player. Founded by Hugh Davis, MS ’20.
Wrestle Boutique, featuring Funky Flickr Boyz, is the world’s fastest growing designer, marketer, and distributor of authentic wrestling footwear, athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories for the sport of wrestling. Founded by Connor Boike, BBA ‘20.
READ
Build What Matters: Delivering Key Outcomes with Vision-Led Product Management, by Rajesh Nerlikar, MBA ‘10. Rapid iteration, A/B testing, and growth hacking– while these buzzwords dominate the current discussion, something even more significant has been lost in their limelight: long-term value creation for the customer.
Am I Being Too Subtle?: Straight Talk From a Business Rebel, by Sam Zell, JD ‘66. The traits that make Sam Zell one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs also make him one of the most surprising, enigmatic, and entertaining mavericks in American business.
GO BLUE
Lenny & Lee knows college is a HUGE transition. The goal of this startup is to help students decorate your room the way you want and make the new space feel like home. Founded by Danielle Mandelblatt, BBA ’20.
The Bo Store and Underground Printing boast all of your University of Michigan gift giving needs this holiday season. Shop unique apparel for your favorite Wolverine. Co-founded by Rishi Narayan MSE ‘05.
This holiday season, use your dollars to support a University of Michigan entrepreneur. Whether purchasing for a loved one or treating yourself, these gifts are certain hit the mark. Back your fellow Wolverines this holiday season – buy Blue!