The UPS Store and Inc. Magazine Salute Small Businesses with a National Pitch Off Contest

The UPS Store, Inc. together with Inc. Magazine, invite entrepreneurs and small business owners from across the country to enter the Small Biz Salute Pitch Off, a contest that will reward one small business owner with $25,000 and an editorial feature in Inc. Magazine.

To enter the contest, eligible owners and entrepreneurs of qualifying small businesses need to submit an entry sharing how $25,000 would help them grow their business. Part of The UPS Store annual month-long initiative, Small Biz Salute is dedicated to honoring and supporting small business owners in their communities.

“Are you an entrepreneur that wants to grow your business? We are here to listen and help you take your small business to the next level,” said Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of sales and marketing for The UPS Store. “Go out on a limb, show us who you are and how you want to grow.”

 The Small Biz Salute Pitch Off is open for submissions. Here are the details:

• To enter visit www.theupsstore.com/smallbizsalute  
• Submit a 60-90 second video or a 100 -word essay responding to the questions “what makes my business unique” and “how would I use the prize money to grow my business.” All entries must be received by May 4, 2018.
• A panel of judges will select the top ten semi-finalists and these entrepreneurs will be presented for an online public vote from May 18 to June 29, 2018.
• The top three finalists (based in part on public votes) will be invited to attend and compete in the live Small Biz Salute Pitch Off event this August 2018 in Detroit, MI.
• The top three finalists will pitch their business to a panel of celebrity judges and audience for the grand prize of $25,000, along with a feature in the October 2018 issue of Inc. Magazine.
• The grand prize winner will be announced at the live Small Biz Salute Pitch Off event.

Thinking of entering the contest? Don’t forget that in addition to a video or essay submission, finalists will also have to pitch their business in front of a live audience. Whether it’s during this contest, at a networking event or at a coffee shop, having a polished business pitch ready is always a good idea for an entrepreneur. To ensure potential customers or investors remember your business, always have a business card handy. During the month of April, The UPS Store is offering 500 premium business cards for $9.99 Visit wwww.upsstoreprint.com/500 to learn more and order.

For more information about The UPS Store Small Biz Salute and how to enter the Small Biz Salute Pitch Off and for full official rules, visit theupsstore.com/smallbizsalute.

RULES & REGULATIONS: Open to owners of small business owners only. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Grand prize of $25,000 and editorial feature in Inc. Magazine. Must be 18 or older as of 3/21/18 to enter. Contest entry ends 5/4/18. Visit inc.com/theupsstore/rules for complete and official rules. Sponsored by The UPS Store, Inc., 5050 Cornerstone Court West San Diego, CA 92120 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. 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. Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders.  Winner of Advertising Age’s “The A-List” in January 2015, and the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 40,000,000 today.  For more information, visit http://www.inc.com/.

Tracy Spahr
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