Olga’s Kitchen Announces Grant Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs

    LIVONIA, Mich. — Olga’s Kitchen, owned and operated by Livonia-based TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants announced the opening of grant applications for women entrepreneurs building businesses in Michigan through the Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation.

    The Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation, which was created by Olga’s Kitchen and TSFR, will dispense grants of up to $10,000 in honor of the brand’s late founder and female food pioneer. Continuing through May 6, women entrepreneurs can apply for the grants at olgas.com/foundation-form/. Recipients will be announced on May 20 to commemorate Olga’s Loizon’s birthday.

    Grant applicants must live in the U.S., identify as a woman, be actively building their business in Michigan, show financial need and provide a formal business plan as part of the process. Those interested in supporting women entrepreneurs who might otherwise be unable to attain the resources needed for their business to thrive can donate to the Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation at olgas.com/donate

    “Olga Loizon overcame countless obstacles as she built one of metro Detroit’s most beloved restaurant concepts more than 50 years ago,” said Loredana Gianino, director of marketing at Olga’s Kitchen. “We hope that the next generation of women business owners are inspired by her passion, ambition and vision. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, Olga’s wants to support these aspiring leaders as they craft the next iconic Michigan business.”

    In 2022, the Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation awarded Sticky Spoons Jam, LLC, and U-Plant Landscape Designs, LLC, two women-owned businesses, with grants totaling $20,000.

    Founded in 2016 by U.S. Navy veteran Aiyenede Akhigbe, Sticky Spoons Jam specializes in the production of jams, jellies and syrup using locally-sourced produce and packaging from Michigan farms and small businesses. Creating more than 100 unique flavors such as Lunar Eclipse, Summer Solstice, Winter Jelly, and Blueberry Lavender, Sticky Spoons sells products at local Michigan and Indiana markets. Akhigbe used the grant money to seek out profitable partnerships with shops in Michigan and beyond.

    Founded by Sandy Jonick in 2019, U-Plant Landscape Designs assists homeowners eager to create beautiful landscapes with the necessary elements to complete the project themselves. By providing digital landscape designs, a detailed plant list and labeled images, U-Plant Landscape Designs helps turn do-it-yourself homeowner’s dreams into a blueprint reality. Jonick, who has designed more than 300 landscapes for West Michigan homeowners, used the grant money to fund U-Plant’s marketing program and expand into new markets.