Central Michigan University

Parties and wild game drive success for graduating CMU entrepreneur

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Topics in this story: Business, finance, jobs and the economy, College of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship

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Media Contact(s):

Heather Smith
989-774-1702

Program Contact(s):

Cason Thorsby
810-223-3087

Central Michigan University senior Cason Thorsby won't be looking for a job after graduation this May, as he will be using his extra time to run the two businesses he started as an undergraduate entrepreneurship student.

After taking an introductory course in entrepreneurship as a freshman at CMU, the Davison native developed the idea to earn extra spending money renting out a tent owned by his father for parties and other gatherings. With the money his parents had saved for his college education and help from CMU LaBelle Entrepreneurial Center faculty and staff, he launched Elite Tent Rental, which has grown from a tent and chairs to a full party rental business, with plans for further expansion in 2008.

The ideas didn't stop there, however. After tasting pheasant noodle soup at a restaurant near his home, he developed the idea to make, can and sell soups made of various species of wild game. He presented the business idea at the LaBelle Entrepreneurial Center Make-A-Pitch contest, where he received the first place prize of $500 and the encouragement to act on his idea. It prompted him to make an unexpected stop to meet chef Dave Minar, also known as Dixie Dave, owner of The Old Dixie Inn in Birch Run.

"I went out on a limb by stopping by his restaurant and he agreed to talk to me about my idea," said Thorsby. "Two and a half hours later, we had an agreement that I would run the business and he would do the cooking."

Thorsby and Dixie Dave have launched "Dixie Dave's Wild Game Soup Company," which currently consists of eight different types of soups, with names that include Gator Gumbo, Venison Stew, Elk Tips and Red Wine, Buffalo Barley, and Wild Boar and Black Bean. The soups are free of antibiotics, hormones, MSG, and gluten and also are low in sodium, cholesterol and calories, making them not only unique soup options but also healthy ones. Dixie Dave's plans also include the production and distribution of wild game frozen entrees, sauces and possibly an organic soup line.

Some of the top outdoor, sporting goods and food retailers in Michigan have already agreed to carry Dixie Dave's soups, including Cabela's, Bass Pro Shop, Gander Mountain, Frank's Great Outdoors, Jay's Sporting Goods, Spartan Stores and Meijer.

"I had a passion to own my own company, and CMU is the only place that would allow me to do that," said Thorsby. "You can learn in a classroom, but until you get that hands-on experience at CMU, you haven't gotten the best of both worlds. I wouldn't trade my CMU education for the world, its invaluable."

Elite Tent Rental, can be found online at http://www.elitetentrental.com and Dixie Dave's Wild Game Soup Company can be found at http://www.wildgamesoup.com.

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