Day 11

Groovy Donuts: Opening the Door to a New Kind of Donut Shop

When Andrew Gauthier couldn’t find a donut worth the calories, he wrote a business plan that same night — and Groovy Donuts was born. What started as a nostalgic, old-school donut shop in Williamston quickly grew into a second location in East Lansing, now celebrating 10 years of handcrafted, joy-filled treats.

Getting financing wasn’t easy. Traditional banks weren’t willing to back a food startup run by a first-time bakery owner. But Michigan Women Forward saw Andrew’s vision — and provided the capital that helped him open his first shop and later expand.

“MWF believed in the business even when others wouldn’t,” Andrew says.

Not convinced? Read more about how Jane is growing her business. Plus, come back every day this month to discover the stories and stats of Michigan Women Forward’s impact in our 2024 Season of Giving Advent Calendar