Milk Money is powered by VSECU through its wholly owned, independently operated, subsidiary, Vermont Heritage Financial Group, Inc. Investments made through Milk Money are not federally insured by NCUA, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the credit union.

It all started on January 12th, 2012, when The Burlington Free Press put Janice and her company True Body Products on the cover of the Innovate section with the title "It worked for Farmers" - "Community Supported Enterprise' seen by female Vermont entrepreneurs as path to building businesses.

At the time Louisa had started a blog called Moogle Vermont which promotes all the cool stuff that's going on in our state. This article and in particular Janice and her innovative thinking caught Louisa's eye. She had to call and talk to Janice and learn more about True Body and Janice's creative and brilliant approach to startup financing. 

Over an hour later, after chatting all things startup, crowdfunding, crowdsourced the two agreed they could talk for hours about ideas and should meet for coffee. At the end of that first coffee date at Muddy Waters, the two knew they were going to go into business one day.

Hundreds of coffee and lunch dates later in the early fall of 2014, Janice came across the DFR's press release outlining VSBOE and immediately her entrepreneurial mind started spining and she realized this was the opportunity she and Louisa had been waiting for. 

This was it. Yes, of course - we were going to create a way for Vermont entrepreneurs to be able to take advantage of this new legislation. After meetings with lawyers, the supportive guys at the DFR and more meetings with the Mamava team (who were originally going to be the first campain), Milk Money VT was born.

And yes, "Milk" is a nod to Mamava, without whose help and drive to want such a platform we wouldn't be where we are today.

About Louisa Schibli

Louisa is a risk-taker who thrives on the ability to find creative solutions to any problem. Full of energy, ideas and connections, she makes things happen.

She brings her enthusiasm to her many passions whether it's volunteering, technology, photography, Vermont or a variety of sports. Louisa lives in Charlotte with her three children and dog Bailey.

• Entrepreneur with 15 years experience in high tech and business development
• Startup consultant/business development director for fashion/sizing app
• Founder of Moogle Vermont “promoting Vermont one cool thing at a time”
• Founder/CEO of first web platform & database for expatriates living in Switzerland
• International commodities shipping specialist at Glencore

 About Janice Shade

Janice loves the definition of entrepreneur as “pathological optimist.” She sees obstacles as opportunities. Creating order from chaos in the pursuit of environmental and social improvement is her passion.

When she’s not trying to change the way the world does business, she co-chairs the Four Winds Nature Program at Jericho Elementary School and is vice president of Browns River Soccer Club. She’s an avid skier, hiker, cyclist, triathlete, youth soccer coach, and experimental cook. Janice lives in Jericho, VT, with her husband and two daughters.  

• Entrepreneur and marketing/finance professional with 20 years experience in brand management, strategic planning, and financial analysis
• Founder/CEO of TrueBody Products
• Founding board member/Executive Director of Local First Vermont
• FO/VP Operations of Mamava, Inc.
• Management level positions with Procter & Gamble, Welch’s, Nelson Bach USA and Seventh Generation