Sister Bees wins Epworth 5×5 Momentum prize.

Sister Bees wins Epworth 5×5 Momentum prize.

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Sister Bees, makers of all natural skin products made from beeswax, was awarded the $5,000 Momentum 5×5 Night prize Wednesday evening. The event was sponsored by Epworth Church Association and held at Epworth Heights.

Sister Bees is owned by Kimberly Ambrose, Amber Boerema and Kelly Bonnema. Products from the company can be purchased on the company website, www.thesisterbees.com, local fundraisers, and markets.

Other presenters included: Art by Mary Case, Cosmic Canine Creations, Humani-tea, and Ludington Manufacturing. The presenters pitched their business idea for five minutes, each in front of four judges and a live audience. The Sister Bees partners will now qualify for the Momentum Competition’s Top 10 where they could win $50,000.

The fourth annual Momentum Business Plan Competition will take place at Ludington Area Center for the Arts on Sept. 21. Competitors will give a pitch in front of judges and a live audience.

Past winners of the Momentum Business Plan Competition include Starving Artist Brewing Company, Kandy Land Dairy, and All Occasions Events & Floral.

The Momentum Business Plan Competition was spearheaded in 2015 by the Pennies from Heaven Foundation to foster and grow the entrepreneurial spirit of Mason County where its founder, John Wilson, made his business mark.

The Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce administers the program to encourage new businesses to come to Mason County through the competition and to demonstrate that the region is a ripe environment for small businesses to grow and thrive. A case in point – 65 percent of the 500 Chamber members are small businesses with less than five employees.