WiseChoice Foods’ WisePies Pizza won the 2020 SMSDC Minority Business Enterprise Idol competition developed by the certifying agency, Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council (SMSDC), a regional affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). WiseChoice Foods showcased its development and 2020 launch of the retail WisePies Pizza brand. The clean-label frozen pizza line had recent successes earning frozen shelf space in major retailers across 10 states in more than 550 grocery stores to include Costco Wholesale, Whole Foods, Albertsons Market, United Markets and Kroger brands – Smiths, Fry’s, Ralphs, King Soopers and City Market.
“We are incredibly thankful to be a member of the SMSDC and for our Hispanic-owned, female-led company to win the title of 2020 Minority Business Enterprise Idol. We will hold this award in the highest regard and are grateful to the group that organized the competition. Our team is focused on a successful 2021 with our eyes set only on the positive growth of this strong New Mexican company,” said Season Elliott, president of WiseChoice Foods.
“We’re very proud of our MBEs. They hit a home run out of the ballpark on their presentations. Congratulations to WisePies Pizza,” said Karen Box, president and CEO of SMSDC.
MBE Idol 2020 is a competition where SMSDC’s certified minority members pitch their business strategy in a series of three virtual presentations to a panel of judges including representatives from Dell, Toyota North America and ConocoPhillips. Each round becomes more challenging with a rising level of competition and a smaller field of participants. As the winner, WiseChoice Foods will gain exposure to Dell business partners and the entire SMSDC network. Criteria for success in this competition includes having a clear business strategy, key product differentiators, a well-rounded marketing plan, strong and concise messaging, sustainability and diversity efforts as well as a passion for business and a demonstrated commitment to success.
Albuquerque, New Mexico-based WiseChoice Foods will be working with Dell over the next few months to grow through strategic business partners and have the honor of addressing the council membership at a speaking engagement at the SMSDC’s 2021 Stakeholder’s meeting on Feb. 25.
