Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: John Ehlke "We are taking very small baby steps right now," said Davison senior Cason Thorsby about the big-game soup idea that won him the "Make-a-Pitch" contest in the spring of 2005. Thorsby and his partner, certified chef Dave Minar, plan to introduce meats such as wild boar, venison, pheasant, beaver and elk into soups. [Click to enlarge]

He tried some soup.

He got an idea.

Then, Davison senior Cason Thorsby took that idea to Central Michigan University.

Thorsby, who owns a party rental store, said he developed the idea, "Hunter's Choice Soup," after his cousin treated him to pheasant noodle soup after donating tents for his wedding.

"It was so good my dad and I just couldn't stop talking about it," he said. "My dad said, 'If you could just sell this, you'd be a millionaire.'"

Thorsby isn't a millionaire, but his idea did earn him $500 in the March 2006 "Make A Pitch" competition.

His idea would offer canned soups and gravies featuring wild game meat, such as deer and duck, Thorsby said.

"I know that if you want a healthy meal," he said. "Wild game is a lot more healthy for you. It's significantly higher in protein."

Thorsby is one of a handful of student entrepreneurs who still are working on their ideas, first debuted at a campus Make A Pitch competition.

Thorsby said he has met with an attorney to discuss getting his idea copyrighted or trademarked.

He has researched the market and met with the proprietor of Dixie Dave's Old Dixie Inn and Wild Thing Catering in Birch Run for support.

"It's definitely a market for a state like Michigan that's pretty hunter savvy," he said. "You can't get that anywhere."

Although Mount Pleasant senior Meighan Fitzpatrick did not win $500 for her pet mall idea at the Oct. 26 Make A Pitch, the entrepreneurship major is continuing to pursue her dream.

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