Minnesota-based activist, WCCO Radio host and entrepreneur Sheletta Brundidge’s community impact has earned her recognition for her small business, ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com. Brundidge won the North American Banking Company (NABC) and Gopher Sports Properties’ Small Business Game Changer contest, which includes a marketing package prize of $20,000 to use towards raising visibility for her small business platform.
As part of her prize, she chose to have ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com featured on a banner at Huntington Bank Stadium throughout the University of Minnesota Gophers football 2024-2025 season. It will debut at the team’s season opener on August 29, where Sheletta plans to make a brief appearance on the field alongside the team’s cheerleaders.
“So often, small businesses don’t get this type of exposure to try to generate new partnerships, new streams of income and new connections,” said Brundidge. “It’s progressive that NABC is making this available for small businesses — oftentimes that marketing element is what we need to elevate our business, and I’m so grateful to Gopher Sports Properties and NABC because this is an amazing opportunity for small businesses,” she added.
ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com creates content for and promotes businesses and organizations committed to positive community impact. Sheletta and her team produce podcasts, initiate one-of-a-kind marketing campaigns, create audio, video and digital content, publish books and build partnerships.
“I met Sheletta after it was announced that she was the winner of the contest, and her energy, enthusiasm and passion to uplift others is contagious,” said Tim Martinson, Assistant Vice President of Marketing for NABC. “The team at Gopher Sports Properties worked with Sheletta to create a custom marketing package just for ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, and we’re excited for it to launch at this season’s football opener.”
In the Small Business Game Changer contest, participants were asked to nominate a local business that was active in their community and could benefit from the marketing package being offered. Sheletta’s entry was from a co-worker who outlined everything that Sheletta has been doing in our community to help others.
Gopher Sports Properties manages the contest, including the winner’s marketing package, through radio broadcasts and digital signage in and around Huntington Bank Stadium and other University of Minnesota campus venues.
NABC has sponsored Gopher Sports Properties' Small Business Game Changer contest since 2021. This year, they received close to 100 small business nomination entries from across the state.
“The idea was to help a local small business making a big impact in our community with a marketing package through Gopher Sports Properties,” said Martinson. “As a locally owned and operated community bank founded by two University of Minnesota alumni, it was a perfect fit for the goals and mission of our bank, and it’s our pleasure to sponsor this contest.”
“This is an entrepreneurship journey, and a faith walk, and every now and then God will send you a miracle and this just dropped in my lap,” said Brundidge. “It’s so great that NABC and Gopher Sports Properties are doing this for small businesses - this opportunity will have a lasting impact on my business for years and years to come,” said Brundidge.
To be able to market to and reach thousands of fans at the stadium creates new possibilities for Brundidge and her business, who is excited for the added visibility, and for her phone to start ringing with new connections. Visit ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com for more information to learn more.
Local News
Comments / 0