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Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
September 18 - October 1, 2020
WINNERS
2020
Page 23
manufacturers
E X P O R T E R S FOOD/beverage
functional product ARTS
supporter BUSINESS
Spotlighting this year’s MADE Awards
T
he Greater Wilmington Business Journal is publishing the winners of the fifth annual MADE Awards competition again in this issue because the coronavirus pandemic’s spread to the U.S. in March postponed the WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo, which would have included this year’s MADE Awards Nunn winners. But there is some good news. Several of this year’s MADE win-
MADE Great Goods from Greater Wilmington
ners will participate in the upcoming virtual WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo. They will be featured during one of the conference’s Roundtables talks that takes place 12:30-1:30 p.m. Oct. 1. For the Roundtables schedule, turn to pages 14 and 15. Those chosen by the judges this year covered a wide range of products being conceived and produced in the local market. The Greater Wilmington Business Journal launched the MADE Awards to spotlight makers, manufacturers, artisans, designers, small businesses and the business that support them
in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. Nominations poured in from businesses vying in five categories: Manufacturers, Exporters, Functional Product (examples include tools, gadgets, beauty products, furniture and industrial/medical devices), Arts (such as apparel, accessories, textiles, home goods and stationery), Food & Beverage and Supporter (examples include patent law firms, manufacturing associations, SBA lenders and retail markets that carry primarily local products). Outside of the annual awards, the
Business Journal wants to continue to spotlight the MADE focus year-round. Each month in the print edition we’ll feature a company making goods and products in the Cape Fear region. To be considered for the feature, email newsroom@wilmingtonbiz.com. Congratulations to this year’s winners. - Cece Nunn, assistant editor cnunn@wilmingtonbiz.com For more information about the MADE winners and their companies, go to WilmingtonBiz.com.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
BLUE SHARK VODKA bluesharkvodka.com Year founded: 2019 Number of employees: 5 Top official: Mark Bloomquist, founder Company description: A family-owned and operated vodka company based out of Wrightsville Beach Target market: “Adults (21+) with an affinity for an exceptionally smooth tasting spirit.” Company growth: “After launching last summer, we expanded across the great state of North Carolina. Our family is continuing our focus on the dilemma of blue sharks. Blues are among the most docile of all shark species, so we are working on ways to preserve this misunderstood member of the shark family.” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “Each year our family travels around the world. Our idea for Blue Shark Vodka grew from our fascination with spirits, especially those with unique packaging and exceptional quality. Most importantly, we sought to create a clear spirit like the waters we love to dive – with a smooth, clean taste.” What are your future goals for the product? “We will organically grow our customer base and dive deeper; expanding strategically.”
LYSSA CAKES
SWEETS AND SPIRITS BAKERY
lyssacakes.com Year founded: 2019 Number of employees: 3 Top official: Alyssa Grace, owner and manager Company description: Cakes, cupcakes and custom cake art bakery Target market: “Anyone who likes sweets and anyone needing dessert for an event” Company growth: “We’re still fairly new, but business is growing steadily.” How has your product helped impact the region’s economic development? “We're still fairly new, but we look forward to increasing our workforce and bringing more business to this area of Mayfaire [Town Center, where the shop is located].” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “My parents owned a bakery and ice cream shop while I was growing up, so I’ve been baking as long as I can remember. I became interested in custom cake art by watching shows like Ace of Cakes with Duff Goldman. It’s unique and not something that everyone can do.” What are your future goals for the product? “To increase business and be able to add additional cake artists. I’m also starting to add cake and cupcake decorating classes so I can share my passion with everyone.”
sweetsandspirits. com Year founded: 2017 Number of employees: 3 Top official: Melanie Smith, owner/baker Company description: “Making memories with food to help our customers achieve a healthier lifestyle by providing ketogenic, gluten-free and sugar-free options” Target market: “We have identified health conscious, obesity, low carbohydrate, ketogenic, celiac disease, gluten sensitive, autoimmune issues and diabetics as our target audience.” How has your product helped impact the region’s economic development? “We have been able to provide our product to several local small businesses and restaurants. We continue to seek more businesses in our region.” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “I began keto two years ago and quickly realized that I could use food to help others achieve a healthier lifestyle.” What are your future goals for the product? “We hope to expand our shipping and as always we are working on new exciting products. Recently we launched our Noatmeal and Keto gluten-free sugar-free granola.”
