Milk House Shakes Named Winner of Downtown Sacramento Foundation’s Calling All Dreamers Competition
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 25, 2017) – Downtown Sacramento Foundation (DSF) today announced Milk House Shakes as the winning business plan in the 2017 Calling All Dreamers competition. After being named one of six finalists announced in May, Kelly Boyles will soon realize her dream of opening a retail storefront in downtown Sacramento with the support of the start-up prize package valued at more than $100,000.
“This competition is designed to launch a big idea into the next big thing,” said Valerie Mamone, Business Development Senior Manager with Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “Milk House Shakes truly exemplified the passion, determination and drive so many downtown small business owners need to be successful.”
“While choosing a winner among so many viable, unique business concepts gets harder every year, we are thrilled for Milk House Shakes,” continued Mamone. “This is a truly special concept and will soon be an exciting addition to downtown’s current ground-floor landscape.”
Combining her insatiable love of milkshakes and passion for U.S. history, Milk House Shakes will offer a fresh twist on a classic treat with every milkshake named after a U.S. President. Featuring tasty flavors that bring presidential stories to life, Milk House Shakes will sell shakes like the “Andrew Johnson,” a creamy vanilla shake blended with sweet, ripe peaches to commemorate the first U.S. President to be impeached, the “Barack Obama,” a blend of shredded coconut and fresh pineapple in honor of his Hawaiian roots, and more.
“I’m so honored to be named the winner of the Calling All Dreamers competition” said Boyles, owner of Milk House Shakes. “This has been an amazing journey and an incredible experience. I am so touched by all the support and encouragement I’ve received and can’t wait to open the doors of my new business in downtown Sacramento!”
Working closely with the DSF selection committee and downtown property owners, Boyles is expected to open a storefront in Old Sacramento in early 2018. Once a location is secured, she can begin taking advantage of the combination of in-kind services and cash donations from competition sponsors to make the dreams of opening Milk House Shakes in downtown Sacramento a reality.
Sacramento will get their first chance to meet the winner tomorrow, July 26, on National Coffee Milkshake Day at the Downtown Certified Farmers’ Market at Cesar Chavez Plaza from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Milk House Shakes like the “Theodore Roosevelt,” with vanilla ice cream, cold coffee brew and chocolate covered expresso beans, bring presidential stories to life. Roosevelt is said to have drunk a gallon of coffee a day and, although never confirmed, many credit him as the creator of the Maxwell House slogan “Good to the last drop.”
Boyles will be on-site sharing her love of history and milkshakes while encouraging marketgoers to visit her Indiegogo crowdfunding page where fans can support her small business dreams.
- The highest donation level, called the “Donald Trump” and priced at $5,000, offers the donor the chance to create and name the “Donald Trump” milkshake, among other incentives.
- Additional themed donation levels range from the top-tier “President” to lower secretary-themed levels like the “Attorney General.” Each include incentives like collector’s cups, milkshakes and apparel.
The Calling All Dreamers competition has continued to turn entrepreneurial dreams like Milk House Shakes into reality by offering a variety of resources and tools to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of their first year in business. Since 2013, Calling All Dreamers has helped 16 new businesses open, created 25 full-time and 66 part-time jobs and leased more than 20,000 square feet of commercial space.
Mamone continued, “every business concept that enters the Calling All Dreamers competition is special. We hope every contestant will realize their dream to open a storefront downtown!”
Other 2017 finalists included:
- Churro Project
- Miscellaneous
- The Kitchen Table
- Vity
- Sacramento Whiskey Co.
The 2017 Calling All Dreamers competition is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors who continue to be champions for the economic growth of the downtown core and Sacramento region: City of Sacramento, SMUD, Wells Fargo, Downtown Sacramento Partnership, Blanket Marketing Group, Consolidated Communications, Golden Pacific Bank, LJ2 Interiors, LP Insurance Services Inc., Marquee Media, MeringCarson, SMP Law Corp., Sutter Builders and more.
For more information about the competition and a full listing of the 2017 prize package, visit www.callingalldreamers.org. Join the conversation on social media using #CallingAllDreamers and #DowntownSac.
PRESS: For interviews with Kelly Boyles, past winners or selection committee members, contact Jordyn Anderson at [email protected].
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About Downtown Sacramento Foundation
Established in 2011, Downtown Sacramento Foundation (DSF) is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 that supports programs that complement Downtown Sacramento Partnership priorities to improve the economic, physical, cultural and social environment in order to foster civic pride.
About Downtown Sacramento Partnership
Downtown Sacramento Partnership is a nonprofit, property-based improvement district (PBID) that serves as the collective voice for the 197 property owners and more than 400 businesses located within the 66-block urban core of Sacramento. Driven by the mission to build value downtown, Downtown Partnership is the principal advocate, champion and steward for those who work, live, visit and do business here. For more information, visit www.downtownsac.org + godowntownsac.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.