The UPS Store, Inc. and Inc. Magazine are teaming up to celebrate small business ownership by inviting entrepreneurs to enter for a chance to compete in a lively national business competition in New York City. Small business owners from across the country are invited to enter 2023 The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge.
This meeting of the minds offers eligible entrepreneurs an opportunity to win up to $25,000, one-on-one mentoring with a business expert, an editorial feature in an upcoming issue of Inc. Magazine and Inc.com, and a trip to the final event in New York City.
With more than 5,100 independently owned and operated franchise locations across the United States, The UPS Store, Inc. is dedicated to promoting the success of its small business owner customers. Small Biz Challenge has been recognizing the inspiring business skills and expertise of entrepreneurs since 2019.
This year’s competition will require entrepreneurs to demonstrate their unique problem-solving skills, innovative thinking and how they run their businesses in the most unstoppable ways.
“Our goal for this competition is to find the most unstoppable business owners across the country. Every day we see entrepreneurs overcome obstacles on their path to success”
Michelle Van Slyke (Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, The UPS Store,Inc)
“Our goal for this competition is to find the most unstoppable business owners across the country. Every day we see entrepreneurs overcome obstacles on their path to success,” said Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store, Inc. “As a supporter of small business owners, The UPS Store community creates the space for owners to grow while providing the necessary resources for them to thrive and challenge themselves.”
How to Enter the Competition
Phase 1:
Beginning March 17 through April 10, small business owners can enter The UPS Store Small Biz Challenge by visiting inc.com/theupsstore and completing the short online entry form.
Phase 2:
From the initial online submission phase, The UPS Store, Inc. and Inc. Magazine will determine nine semifinalists. Each of these semifinalists will be partnered with a motivational, entrepreneurial-minded mentor to help them through the next phase of the Small Biz Challenge. These mentors stem from a wide variety of skill sets and backgrounds, including professional life coaches, brilliant business owners, podcast hosts, creative directors and bestselling authors.
The nine semifinalists, partnered with their unique mentor, will compete in various social media challenges. Topics may range from a variety of common business matters, such as marketing, staffing, operations, and company culture.
Voting Phase
After each challenge, the semi-finalists will share their answers for the public to view and then cast a vote. The vote will run from May 1 to June 12.
Final Phase
Following the public voting phase, the top three contestants will compete at the in-person final event in New York City. The three finalists will be given complex challenges to present in front of a celebrity host and two guest judges. A winner will be announced for the ultimate prize of $25,000. In addition to the prize money, the participants will also win an editorial feature in an upcoming issue of Inc. magazine and Inc.com.
The UPS Store, Inc. encourages small business owners from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to participate in this challenge. For full official rules and guidelines on how to enter The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge, visit www.inc.com/theupsstore.
Rules & Regulations
Here are some of the rules:
- No purchase is necessary
- Open only to individuals (U.S. residents, 18 or older) who own and operate an independent (non-franchised) small business (9 or fewer full-time employees) in the U.S. Entry submission period: 12:00 am ET 3/17/2023 – 11:59 pm ET 4/10/2023.
- Up to nine (9) semi-finalists will be selected to compete in virtual challenges and voting.
- Three (3) finalists will be selected to compete in live challenges in New York.
- The cash prize will be awarded to one finalist based on the score in the finals in New York.
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 more than 5,100 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. (although one or more may be company owned), 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.
