When the Forbes 30 Under 30 list dropped this year, two names from Hudsonville, Michigan, stood out: Michael Meadows and Paul Reiss, the 23-year-old founders of Protein Pints, a rapidly growing high-protein ice cream brand now in nearly 8,000 stores nationwide.
For many young entrepreneurs, the accolade is a career milestone. For Meadows and Reiss, it was also something deeper — a moment of validation for a journey rooted in Midwest grit, hometown support and an unwavering sense of Michigan identity.
“We are very grateful to have been named to Forbes 30 Under 30,” they said. “It’s incredible recognition that is testament to not just our efforts, but everyone that has supported us on this journey, and our small but mighty team at Protein Pints. Upfront, it’s a personal award, but truly it’s really a mark of accomplishment for our entire organization.”
Small-town roots, big Michigan values
Before Protein Pints was a national brand, Meadows and Reiss were two kids growing up in Hudsonville, a place where ice cream isn’t just dessert — it’s part of the culture…