Charlevoix Cheese Company recognized with 2025 Start-Up to Watch Award at Making It In Michigan Conference
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EmailPersistence pays off for farmstead cheese entrepreneurs.
Charlevoix Cheese Company was awarded the 2025 Start-Up to Watch Award on May 7 at the Michigan State University Extension Product Center's Making It In Michigan Conference and Tradeshow in Lansing. The award is given annually at the conference to MSU Product Center clients who demonstrate consistent business excellence, innovation, and growth within the past five years.
Given the challenging economics of small-scale dairy operations, it is almost unheard of to have adult children come back to the farm to make it their vocation. But in 2012, Mandy and Matt Thompson did just that, returning to work with her parents Wilson and Judy Boss on their fourth-generation family farm. Highly motivated to beat the odds and stay in business, over the next 10 years the couple spent countless hours researching business model options and landed on a dream to own and operate a farmstead creamery.
As part of their due diligence, Matt attended MSU Extension’s Artisan Cheese Workshop, where he gained critical knowledge of the cheesemaking process. The couple also began to form a network of advisors and peers, including working with a world-renowned artisan cheesemaker along with MSU Extension dairy and farm management educators, who provided industry specific information and expertise. Additionally, the Thompsons reached out to MSU Product Center Innovation Counselor Wendy Wieland, who has 20+ years' experience assisting small farm and food businesses with achieving their business goals.
“Wendy was helpful in discussing our business plan and providing input on aspects we had not thought through, as well as resources that could be useful as we continued to move forward,” remarked Mandy. “As we worked on obtaining funding, she was instrumental in helping find data to support our business case; sharing her expertise played an integral role in our success. As we moved towards our 2023 launch, the MSU Product Center provided support with labeling, signage, best practices and more.”
Charlevoix Cheese Products can now be found in 95 retail stores throughout Michigan and Ohio, as well area restaurants, farmers markets and festivals. The Thompsons are continually expanding their product line, which ranges from cheese curds and signature cheddars to their much-anticipated Gruyere, which is due out later this year. Matt is especially excited about this newest addition, as it was this cheese that led him to becoming a cheesemaker.
“Matt and Mandy have been a pleasure to work with,” stated Wieland. She points out: “Not every business plan works (in fact most don’t) and certainly there are twists and turns along the way. But for those that are committed to keep going, it can bring many levels of success. And for me, nothing is better than helping a farmer achieve their dreams. It is a gift that keeps on giving…kind of like Christmas over and over again.”
MSU Product Center
Michigan State University Extension and the MSU Product Center assist entrepreneurs and businesses to develop products and services in the food and agriculture markets. Its team of expert Innovation Counselors located throughout Michigan consult with clients on a one-on-one basis, helping new entrepreneurs navigate from concept development to launch and beyond. The MSU Product Center also offers specialized services such as labeling, packaging, and nutritional analysis.
In 2024, the Product Center held approximately 3,300 counseling sessions throughout the state with 655 clients, in addition to capital formation, including owner investment, other capital investment and loans, totaling more than $2 million.
If you are interested in business counseling from the MSU Product Center, please visit our website.
