Half of the profits from the sale of products from U.P. Authentic will go toward charities in the Upper Peninsula. Invent@NMU student employees helped with launching the company. (Photo courtesy of Invent@NMU)

MARQUETTE — Bill Leisenring has created the company U.P. Authentic to provide a selection of curated products from Upper Peninsula artisans and businesses, and will give 50% of the profits to U.P. charities.

Invent@NMU student employees assisted in the launch. U.P. Authentic is collaborating with Sayklly’s Candies from Marquette, Shabby Chic Rustic from Gladstone and other artisans across the Upper Peninsula.

For example, Sayklly’s products, which include Snappies, Yooper Trail Mix and Sayklly’s Fudge, ship directly to the consumer from its factory in Escanaba.

“As I reflect on my career, I firmly believe that the traits of being a Yooper were very instrumental in my success,” Leisenring said. “Honesty, genuine, hard-working, etcetera. I believe I can help by creating a sustainable platform that helps U.P. artisans and charities.”

U.P. Authentic will be in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula, a collaboration of eight affiliate organizations that promote U.P.-wide philanthropy.

In the spring of 2021, U.P. Authentic will begin investing in the youth of the U.P. with scholarship awards of $906 to aspiring high school seniors.

Invent@NMU student professionals provided marketing consultation and assistance to help launch U.P. Authentic.

“The Invent@NMU team was a great addition to U.P. Authentic,” Leisenring said. “The team’s energy and creativity were very impactful.”

U.P. Authentic’s store is now open at upauthentic.com. If interested in working with Leisenring, reach out to info@upauthentic.com.

Invent@NMU specializes in helping people bring their concepts to market. Inventors, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs and educators work with clients to turn passions into processes.

For more information, like Invent@NMU on Facebook or visit https://invent.nmu.edu/.

In October of 2014, Invent@NMU opened as a program of Northern Michigan University to provide an experiential learning opportunity for students, as well as to help regional inventors and entrepreneurs take their initial product ideas to market launch.

NMU funded the pilot program for the first three years and continues to offer support, with Invent@NMU using the expertise of NMU students and local professionals to make a positive impact on regional economic development.

In early 2017, Invent@NMU expanded its services and capabilities to help community members throughout the U.P. with opening and operating small businesses.

Later that year, Invent@NMU partnered with Innovate Marquette SmartZone to enhance the organization’s connection to the community and offer even more business resources.

This partnership is made possible by funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the city of Marquette and NMU.