On March 17, 2023, Michigan Celebrates Small Business announced that Saddleback BBQ had been named one of Michigan's 50 Companies to Watch — an award that Travis Stoliker had also received 18 years earlier, in 2005, when Liquid Web won the same recognition. Travis marked the moment with genuine wonder: "It's kinda cool to win it again 18 years later in an entirely different industry."
The Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award, presented as part of the Michigan Celebrates Small Business program in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, recognizes Michigan companies that demonstrate exceptional growth potential, innovation, and community impact. Winning it once is meaningful; winning it across two completely different industries — managed hosting and barbecue restaurants — separated by nearly two decades, reflects something unusual about how Travis approaches building businesses.
Travis thanked Drew for handling the award submission on Saddleback's behalf — crediting the people around him rather than taking full credit, as is his habit. The double win, spanning a career arc from Lansing tech company to Michigan barbecue institution, is one of the most concise proofs of his range as a builder.
