SAN DIEGO, Jan. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the second year, The UPS Store, Inc. and Inc. Magazine are joining forces to find the country’s most knowledgeable small business owners through an exciting national business competition. Entrepreneurs and innovators from across the country are invited to enter the second annual Small Biz Challenge, a contest that offers eligible entrepreneurs a chance to win up to $25,000 and an editorial feature in an upcoming issue of Inc. Magazine and Inc.com.
With more than 4,800 independently owned and operated franchise locations across the United States, The UPS Store, Inc. understands the hard work and know-how needed to run a business. The nationwide, live business competition will seek out and reward the most outstanding, well-rounded small business owners who can handle anything that comes their way.
“Our national network of The UPS Store locations serves small business owners in communities across the United States, and every day we see incredible entrepreneurs walk through our doors,” said Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store, Inc. “ The Small Biz Challenge is an opportunity to unite, recognize and reward the best and brightest in a very lively competition.”
During National Small Business Month in May, the contest’s finalists will play against one another in a competition in front of a live audience, showcasing their small business smarts. Robert Herjavec, investor on ABC’s hit TV show “Shark Tank,” and Founder & CEO of Herjavec Group, will serve as an expert to offer feedback and advice throughout the event to finalists and business owner attendees.
“As an entrepreneur, I understand the hard work, dedication and risk it takes to run a business and run it well,” said Herjavec. “I am thrilled to participate with The UPS Store once again to recognize some of the most talented small business owners in the country, and help provide an opportunity for them to succeed on a high-profile stage testing their skills, poise and business acumen.”
The UPS Store, Inc. encourages small business owners from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to participate in this challenge. To enter the contest, eligible business owners and entrepreneurs need to complete a brief entry application online.
The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge is now open for submissions. Here are the details:
- Visit www.inc.com/theupsstore and complete the online entry form.
- The online entry submission period is open from Jan. 27 to Feb. 23.
- Once the online entry submission period closes, 10 semi-finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges.
- A public online vote will take place between Mar. 23 and Apr. 19 to narrow the 10 semi-finalists down to six finalists.
- The six finalists will be split into two groups with three finalists competing in a live business challenge competition in San Diego and three competing in Boston. There will be one final winner named at each of the events.
- In addition to a cash prize based on performance in the challenge competition, the grand prize winner at each event will receive an editorial feature in an upcoming issue of Inc. Magazine and Inc.com, showcasing the winner and their business story.
- For full official rules and guidelines on how to enter The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge visit www.inc.com/theupsstore.
RULES & REGULATIONS:
No purchase necessary. Open only to individuals (U.S. residents, 18 or older) who own and operate an independent (non-franchised) small business (50 or fewer employees) in the U.S. Entry Submission period: 12:00am ET 1/27/2020 - 11:59pm ET 2/23/2020. Up to six (6) finalists selected to compete must attend 1 of 2 business challenges events. Cash prizes awarded to finalists based on score in each business challenge (up to $25,000 in total prizes for each event). Visit inc.com/theupsstore/rules for complete official rules, including eligibility and judging criteria. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by The UPS Store, Inc., 6060 Cornerstone Court West San Diego, CA 92121 and Mansueto Ventures LLC, d.b.a Inc. Magazine, 250 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007.
About The UPS Store
With approximately 5,000 locations across North America, The UPS Store® network comprises the nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers. The UPS Store locations in the U.S. are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS). Services, products, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. For additional information on The UPS Store, visit theupsstore.com.
In 2020, The UPS Store ranked #5 overall in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 and #1 in the Postal & Business Centers category for the 30th consecutive year. For information on franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location, visit https://www.theupsstorefranchise.com/. Follow The UPS Store on Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like The UPS Store on Facebook at facebook.com/theupsstore.
About Inc.
The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including web sites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.