More Than Just A Growing Kit: SproutBox’s Story

SproutBox started as a simple idea in February 2025— a class project in Northern Michigan University’s MGT215 Entrepreneurship course. Five students: Tovey Grimmitt, Cayden Smaka, Caydence Sturtevant, Sam Kearney, and Henry Moore — teamed up in their class with the goal of creating something small but meaningful.

The idea was simple: offer an easy, approachable way for people to grow their own plants, while supporting a good cause. As part of the project, all profits were donated to a nonprofit of the team’s choice. They chose Friends of Oredock Boteco, a local organization focused on community and environmental restoration, with a focus on Marquette’s beautiful Oredock. Tovey reached out to Gisele Duehring, the group’s president, and from there, SproutBox began showing up at pop-up shops and local events, slowly building a bit of a following.

By the end of the semester, the class required all projects to shut down. But something about it stuck with Tovey. He’d grown attached to the work— and more importantly, to what it could become. After spending a few weeks figuring out what continuing the business would really take, he decided to go for it.

With the help from a couple close friends, things began to take shape again. Reagan Cattell came on board to help develop a clearer brand and visual direction. Carlos Terrell, who had already helped with a couple of videos, officially joined to handle creative and video production. Then, for the next week, Tovey spent hours every day working— rebuilding SproutBox’s foundation and the website you’re reading right now, from the inside out.

This isn’t just a project anymore. SproutBox has grown into something more personal. We are a small, thoughtful business focused on simplicity, sustainability, and giving back.

We’re proud of where it started, and even more excited about where it’s headed.

TIME TO GET PERSONAL

Tovey Grimmitt

Co-Founder & CEO

Reagan Cattell

Head of Creative & Graphic Design

Carlos Terrell

Head of Video Production & Editing