Make a real impact this holiday season and use your dollars to support University of Michigan entrepreneurs. Buying from fellow Wolverines is a simple and effective way to reinvest in your U-M community. From books to beauty products, these student and alumni startups have a gift to fit any occasion!
TASTE
Brassi is on a mission to provide you with good food that makes you feel great. Together we set out to build the perfect bowl to share with the world; it’s healthy, tasty, and convenient to make. Co-founded by alumni Taylor Hurley, BBA ’21, and Jacqueline Sun, BBA ’21.
Ember offers uniquely-formulated energy chews designed to combat the infamous mid-afternoon crash. Each gummy contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, or the equivalent amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee. Founded by current student Alec Kremins, BBA ’22 (expected).
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 alumni Kaitlyn Lo, MBA ’21.
WEAR
Birdie & Claire is an apparel brand dedicated to designing and curating a collection of clothing for women as they age, challenging outdated representations of older women in fashion. Selected pieces and accessories from other independent brands are currently available, and the Birdie & Claire designed collection will be available this coming spring. Co-founded by alumni Julie Corwin, MBA ’18.
PARDINGTON COLLECTIVE is a collaborative art, fashion, and lifestyle label that brings different talented minds together to collaborate on multimedia collections for curation, as well as for sale. Items are currently available for presale and immediate sale. Founded by current student Claire Pardington, Weekend MBA ’22.
Virgo Beauty understands just how hard it can be to find toxin-free hair care products for black and ethnic hair types. Virgo Beauty is a line of clean hair products working to change how Black women view their natural hair. Founded by current student Madison Bates, BBA ’23 (expected).
MOVE
Aurora Tights is a niche performance athletic brand that produces and sells shade and size-inclusive tights for women of color, and athletes in performance sports such as ice skating, dance, cheer, and gymnastics. Aurora primarily sells tights D2C in five shades, two styles, and seven sizes. Founded by alumni Imani Rickerby, MHSA ’21.
The DWNTWN Run Bra is a revolutionary new sports bra featuring 3 strategically-placed pockets to stash your phone, cards, keys, AirPods, mask, chap stick, and other small essentials. While the bra was built specifically for runners, the bra also crosses over nicely to gym-goers, hikers, walkers, travelers, and any woman on-the-go. Founded by alumni Kristen Shenk, BFA ‘08, a former Nike Designer, DWNTWN Run Co. merges function and style for the modern female runner.
Revolin Sports, provides conscientious athletes with high performance, sustainable sporting equipment. They utilize cutting edge, renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable materials and sustainable manufacturing processes to create equipment that performs as well or better than existing products. Founded by alumni Hugh Davis, MS ’20.
READ
Build What Matters, co-authored by Ross 2010 alum Rajesh Nerlikar, is a book for anyone building a SaaS product: In it, Nerlikar and his co-author, Ben Foster, explain how to use their Vision-Led Product Management framework to ensure your digital product is delivering 10x outcomes to customers and that your roadmap balances between progress towards a long-term vision and near-term priorities.
From Startup to Exit shares the knowledge that pioneering, serial entrepreneur Shirish Nadkarni (BSE ’82) has gained from over two decades of success, detailing the practical aspects of startup formation from founding, funding, management, and finding an exit.
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.
Whether you need a treat to take to a gathering or a last minute gift, our University of Michigan entrepreneurs have you covered this holiday season. The team at the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies wishes you a happy and healthy New Year. Buy Blue!