Andrew Chmielewski

Andrew Chmielewski knew he didn't so much want a business degree as he wanted a business. And the perfect product was waiting for him in his dad's kitchen.

Chmielewski's father (and his product's namesake, Dave) is a retired Detroit firefighter known at the station for his homemade toffee. It was such a hit that friends and family who had received the toffee as gifts started placing orders. Chmielewski, who was attending Oakland University, realized: "I don't need a degree; I have a product."

With an initial investment of $10,000 in 2010, Chmielewski launched Dave's Sweet Tooth, making the toffee in his dad's kitchen and selling the product at local craft shows. Dave's Sweet Tooth has grown to a 5,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Harrison Township and sales in more than 2,000 stores in 14 states including Whole Foods Market, Busch's Fresh Food Market and Fresh Thyme Market. The toffee business employs 12 and is projected to surpass $500,000 in sales this year.

One thing Chmielewski learned with Dave's Sweet Tooth is that the best way to sell a product is by getting people to try it. This led to the launch of Mitten Crate, a subscription box company highlighting food products from Michigan. Each month, five to six local food products are selected and sent to subscribers across the country. Each box is $35.

Since its inception in 2013, membership has grown from 52 subscribers to more than 1,500. What started with less than a $1,000 upfront investment will break the $500,000 mark this year.

Mitten Crate donates $1 for every box sold to Gleaners Community Food Bank; so far, this donation has purchased 100,000 meals for people in need in Southeast Michigan.