Order a 'Glee Box," support a local business
Released: December 12, 2007
It's the holiday season and nothing makes a better present than a packaged gift box filled with Wisconsin's finest meats and cheeses. The true spirit of Wisconsin, a holiday treat from "Glee Boxes" promises to be the best present for friends, family and co-workers.
The idea for Glee Boxes started as a new business venture for a class project, but transpired into a successful holiday startup by two University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, Nicholas Gleason and Michelle Brummel.
A general business major with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and a certificate in geography, Gleason always had an interest in start-up businesses and was given yet another opportunity to use his strong entrepreneurial skills with a class project. In early September, Gleason partnered with local farmer, Dan Malone, to open Dan's Meat Market in downtown Whitewater. Together with Brummel, a senior graduating with a degree in Marketing and Spanish, the two soon developed Glee Boxes, an extension of Dan's Meat Market, using Wisconsin's finest quality meats and cheeses for packaged gift boxes.
"Working with a real company has been an amazing experience, and I am using what I have learned in class to run and operate a successful business," Brummel said. "Eventually, we hope to incorporate Glee Boxes into the everyday business of Dan's Meat Market and expand it for possible university fundraisers."
Gleason is a founding member and executive board member of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO), an organization on campus for students interested in owning their own business. Both Gleason and Brummel are actively involved in the organization, Gleason as the director of competition and Brummel as the vice president of communications. With their involvement in CEO, both students have an entrepreneurial sense for business challenges and avidly encouraging others to pursue their visions and take risks.
"With our experience we are helping not only the university, but our community by increasing downtown traffic and business. Months ago I would have never imagined I would be doing this, but it's a great feeling to have started these businesses," Gleason said.
Orders are being taken now for the holiday season. All orders must be received by Dec. 15 and corporate orders of 25 boxes or more are also available. For more information or to place an order, contact Gleason at Gleasonnd28@uww.edu or (262) 391-8346 or visit the Web site http://www.gleeboxes.com.
- Patti Schenker,schenkerpl07@uww.edu
