A Southwest Michigan teen business owner is among the first in the state to capitalize on a recent rule change allowing high school athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
Zoey Heyn, a high school senior and owner of Zo’s Mini Donuts in St. Joseph, is announcing she’s signed eight local student-athletes to NIL endorsement agreements following the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s decision to permit such deals starting Jan. 28.
Heyn said the move aligns with the youth-focused foundation of her business.
“We let them try our donuts in front of the film, and then we also allowed them to post us and tagging us and all that. So that was their contract,” said Heyn.
“It was the Instagram post, trying our donuts, wearing our merch, and they also got gift cards. And then after that, we were up for more athletes as well.”
The athletes, selected with assistance from local high school basketball promotion platform Michiana Hoops, will serve as brand ambassadors for the mini donut shop. Those signed include Brayden Holok and Sydney Thomas of Lakeshore High School; Brayden Favors of Niles High School; Kesean Hobbs and Zameir Clayton of Benton Harbor High School; Mackenna Price of Brandywine High School; Brady Belasco of Berrien Springs High School; and Lainie Dorows of St. Joseph High School.
“We were just excited to take advantage of this opportunity. At the end of the day, it was just something that we just thought was a great opportunity for local high school students, and we really just wanted to be a part of it.”
Zo’s Mini Donuts is a youth-owned business specializing in made-to-order mini donuts and has developed a following in the St. Joseph area for its fresh-made treats and community-focused atmosphere.
