2023 Entrepreneur of the Year — Groovy Donuts: Andrew and Monica Gauthier Prove to be Business Trailglazers

It’s staggering to think how many ideas and dreams have been hatched over a coffee and a doughnut. 

Perhaps former Wall Street investment banker Andrew Gauthier was conjuring the words of wisdom from Jedi master Yoda when he was enjoying his morning ritual at a local shop: “Do or doughnut. There is no try.” 

His idea gave rise to a business plan within weeks — and by mid-March 2015, the concept for Groovy Donuts LLC had come full circle. Securing funding through the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan and a location in Williamston, Groovy Donuts was poised for a September opening. The icing on the plan? Wife Monica Gauthier, formerly the head of an animal disease laboratory at Michigan State University, was also on board as general manager. 

A second location in East Lansing came a year later in September 2016, and in the years that followed, the business racked up more than a baker’s dozen of accolades: Rising Micro Entrepreneur, Best Donuts in Michigan, Best Doughnut in the Lansing Area and more. 

The list just got a bit longer. 

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