UPS: Small Business Contest - Win up to $10,000 in cash or shipping !

Small Business Contest

Think your company is the Best Out-of-the-Box Small Business? Tell us why. Submit a 500-word entry outlining why your business should be recognized.

Criteria

All entries will be judged based on three criteria: originality (50%), business implementation (25%) and business results (25%).

The essay entry should describe how your business is original either in its products/services or because of your overall business concept. Also tell us about creative ways in which you have implemented resources (people and money) for best results. While financial results are important, they're not the only results we're looking to recognize. Excellent business results can also include expanding your geographic reach, improving your community or even achieving a better work-life balance for your employees. Here are some examples to show you what we mean.

Mannequin Madness is a great example of a company with originality. Judi Henderson-Townsend founded Mannequin Madness after she impulsively bought 50 used mannequins from a dealer who was closing up shop. Judi's business now ships more than 95 new and gently used mannequins a month to customers ranging from artists to clothing stores and eBay sellers to lawyers with a need to demonstrate gun or knife wounds in court.

The product line (T-shirts and apparel) for David & Goliath is certainly not an original one. However, this small business has succeeded through outstanding implementation of a creative line of edgy, fun characters, such as "Trendy Wendy," on their products. One shirt that reads "Gold Digger" was even worn on the television show, "The Bachelor."

Small businesses can also achieve great results. Gotham City Online is an example of a company showing business results by doubling its sales year over year and just recently expanding its geographic reach to include international sales.

Prizes

The first place winner will receive:

$10,000 cash or $10,000 in free UPS shipping
A Hewlett-Packard computer equipped with UPS shipping and tracking tools
UPS consulting services valued at $5,000
Participation in a national UPS publicity campaign

The second place winner will receive:

$5,000 cash or $5,000 in free UPS shipping
A Hewlett-Packard computer equipped with UPS shipping and tracking tools
Participation in a UPS publicity campaign

The third place winner will receive:

A Hewlett-Packard computer equipped with UPS shipping and tracking tools
Participation in a UPS publicity campaign

Thank you for your interest in the Best "Out-of-the-Box" Small Business contest. Good luck!!