Make Your Small Business Better in 12 Weeks

Here at SUCCESS, it's hard not to catch the entrepreneurial bug while writing about successful business owners day in and day out. We have bookshelves full of the latest business books. We write about the skills you need to launch your own small business. We correspond with exciting business owners every day via Facebook, Twitter and Google+. The entrepreneurial spirit is all around us.

When we first thought of creating the Start Small, Win Big contest for entrepreneurs to help them take the individual steps to successful taking their business to the next level, we were stoked. Many of the editors here are solopreneurs--freelance writers, blog owners, artists, photographers and graphic designers, so we could use a weekly boost of enthusiasm and mentorship to keep our individual ventures going. And now entering Week 6 of the SUCCESS Start Small, Win Big Entrepreneurial Challenge, we're thrilled to report many hundreds of you have joined us in this 12-week contest.

It's not too late to get started. Visit SUCCESS.com/winbig to register for the contest and create your three small business goals (Write them down! You'll need them later). The last day to register is March 27. Then head over to the SUCCESS Blog to catchup on weekly action items and share your responses with other readers who are participating in the contest as well. 

Here's a sample of what's being discussed:

What's your WHY? --from Week 1

"I retire in 10 years, and want to be able to hit the ground running doing something I love. A career as active duty military has motivated to be my own boss."

"My why. Because I simply HAVE to. I feel it in my bones, in my blood, in my heart & soul."

Ask yourself, what worked, what didn't work and what could you have done differently. --from Week 2

What worked "I developed my own website, did my own SEO, connected it to my social media, created RSS feeds, and linked it all together."

What didn't work "Ive been too worried about 'offending' others that Ive gone the other way. It's a problem when people say, 'Oh….I didn’t know you sold…'"

What could be done differently "I should have honored my creative self and my God given gifts many many years ago."

Consider your competitors' slogans, and brainstorm slogans that describe you. --from Week 4

“For my candle business, 'Enjoy your Memories.'"

"For my music business, 'Classy Traditional Irish Harpist/Music.'"

The grand-prize winner for Start Small Win Big will be the subject of a feature-length article in our August 2012 issue and will receive lunch and a one-on-one business consultation with Tory Johnson, plus lunch and/or a personal coaching session from Darren Hardy.

Two runners-up will be the subjects of a short story accompanying the feature article.

Additional prizes will be revealed as the contest continues. Our currently featured prizes include:

• Free credit card processing for up to $50,000 in charges from Intuit GoPayment. Increase sales by offering credit card acceptance anywhere your business takes you. Intuit’s GoPayment is a mobile payment solution that allows you to swipe credit card payments on the go using its card reader with your smart phone.  Winner will save up to $1,850 in fees.  (There are no set up or cancellation fees for anyone using this service.)
• A year-long free Constant Contact account including all products: Up to 10k contacts– Email marketing, Event marketing, Online survey, NutshellMail, Social campaigns. In addition, the winner will receive a dedicated coach for the length of the year to maximize the experience for the winner and their business. (Estimated value: $1,500-2,000, depending on how many email contacts)
• SurePayroll will provide one year free (up to 15 employees) of its easy-to-use online payroll service. It automatically calculates, files and pays all local, state, and federal taxes. (Valued at more than $1,000; estimated value increases with number of employees)