Charly Meredith, co-founder of Fool’s Gold Honey, has received UNC Greensboro’s Jerry McGuire Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Meredith, a UNCG junior psychology major, started Fool’s Gold Honey in 2020, during the pandemic. In its first year, the company has successfully sold products nationwide.
“Our award is presented to a UNCG student or student team exhibiting exceptional entrepreneurial spirit,” said Sam Seyedin, interim director of University innovation hub LaunchUNCG. “Charly was selected for their innovative approach to sourcing, distribution, sales, and sustainability.”
The award, which is administered by UNCG’s NC Entrepreneurship Center, includes a $1,000 scholarship.
“Fool’s Gold Honey was founded on the notion that people need high quality, locally sourced honey free from additives and harmful chemicals,” says Meredith. “We take meticulous care to ensure our honey remains raw. This preserves the natural taste and nutritional enzymes made by the bees.”
The company centers the health of pollinators and the environment. Meredith and their partner also manage their own apiary and offer training classes on the importance and profitability of beekeeping.
Finalists also recognized by the NC Entrepreneurship Center
Aaron D. Graham, English, Creative Writing
Graham is a graduate student pursuing a MFA in Poetry. His curriculum design established the Veterans’ Writing Project at UNCG as well as a four-part creative writing initiative called “Writing the Military Experience.” The initiative facilitates dialogue between service members, veterans, military families, and the broader community centered on understanding and communicating the military experience. Learn more about Graham’s work at arabicwitharedneck.com.
Abigail Fernandez, School of Nursing
Fernandez is a junior nursing student. She is the owner and creator of Whatever Is Lovely Designs, a small business that sells custom water-color greeting cards and hand-crafted paper goods. Fernandez has used her business to support healthcare workers during the pandemic, including partnering with the community to make and donate over 50 handmade cards to encourage healthcare workers in the Triad.
Joanna McCoskey Wiltshire, School of Music
Wiltshire is a Minerva Scholar on an Alumni-Hayes Excellence Fellowship pursuing a doctorate in clarinet performance. She currently teaches at the UNC-SA Community Music School in Winston-Salem, Upbeat Music Company in Lewisville, and St. Mary’s Music Academy in High Point, and she maintains a studio of her own. Learn more about Wiltshire’s work at joannamccoskeyclarinet.com.
Kassandra Ormsby, School of MusicOrmsby is a doctoral student studying bassoon performance. She is passionate about community outreach and entrepreneurship, and is an active performer and teacher. In 2019, she secured a grant to provide youth with the opportunity to experience live music from great composers and to give students hands-on experience with musical instruments. The program launched in 2020 – with a full set of new instruments, volunteer uniforms, tables and station supplies, sterilization equipment, and banners – and has reached over 4,600 children and their families. Learn more about Ormsby’s work at kassandrabassoon.com.
Finalists are typically honored each year at the NC Entrepreneurship Center’s Awards Banquet. However, due to COVID-19 this year’s students are being honored virtually.
Learn more about the NC Entrepreneurship Center, a part of the LaunchUNCG initiative, at startup.uncg.edu.
