Aime Stewart, of Maryland, the owner and operator of Cutie Pies is our Grand Prize Winner! Cutie Pies is an individual single serving pie business. Her Cutie Pies are 4 inches in diameter and she bakes them in standard aluminum pot-pie containers. The idea is to provide an option for folks who love the idea of pie (c’mon, who doesn’t?) but don’t need an entire pie. Our judges thought that Aime’s idea was innovative, creative and well presented. Aime has the beginnings of a successful business: she has a great idea, a plan to make it happen, a team to help her out, milestones for progress and motivation. We think that the prizes and advice that she walks away with will help her reach her goal of getting Cutie Pies into retail outlets, including grocery stores, restaurants and coffee shops.
Our first runner up is Emilie Shoop, of Illinois. Emilie just launched Shoop Fitness on the web at www.shoopfitness.com. Emilie’s concept is a fitness website focusing on the needs of pregnant women and new moms. As the mother of three small children, I can certainly relate to Emilie’s demographic! Our judges felt that Emilie had an interesting concept and a potentially big audience. We thought that some extra press and some marketing advice would add value to Emilie’s already great idea.
Our second runner up is Aaron Emerson, of California. Aaron offers an online marketing service geared towards small businesses hoping to make a big impact. Our judges felt that Aaron had the potential through his experience and enthusiasm to make an impression in a crowded market.
Congratulations to all of our winners!
And again, we offer a huge THANK YOU to our sponsors! Please let them know that they are appreciated!
1 & 1 Internet, Inc.
Entrepreneur Magazine
Freshbooks, Inc.
The entire b5 media Business Channel community:
Behind the Buzz
Brandcurve
Buzz Networker
Common Sense PR
Contract Worker
Copy Blogger
Digital Money World
Franchise Pick
Home Biz Notes
Interview Chatter
Just Make Money Online
Leadership Turn
Life Dev
Linked Intelligence
Pimp Your Work
Property Crossroads
Second Life Pros
Slacker Manager
Small Business Boomers
Start Up Spark
Successful Blog
Taxgirl
The Golden Pencil
Work Boxers
Yielding Wealth
and thanks to Don at Archetype Digital Solutions for designing our promotional badge!
Thanks, too, to the following professionals who have offered advice to our winners:
- tax tips from Kelly Phillips Erb of taxgirl.com
- consulting and marketing advice from Jim Norton of smallbusinessboomers.com
- marketing direction from Rico Masterson of contract-worker.com
- personal finance and blogging information from Miranda Marquit of yieldingwealth.com
- using a range of social media tools in marketing and connecting with a community from Rachel Clarke of behindthebuzz.com
- hiring practices and creating core competencies for positions from Darlene McDaniel of interviewchatter.com
- identifying business purpose and strategy for a blog from Des Walsh of deswalsh.com
- coaching from Miki Saxon, courtesy of rampupsolutions.com
- Linked In makeover from Scott Allen of LinkedIntelligence.com
- marketing and brand identity critique from Sean Kelly of franchisepick.com
- copywriting tips from Brian Clark of copyblogger.com
- home business advice from Mary Emma Allen of homebiznotes.com
- Copy editing, writing, or website usability advice from Eric Eggertson of CommonsensePR.com
- Customer service and community relations advice from Douglas Hanna of ServiceUntitled.com
- tech marketing advice from Sunir Shah of Freshbooks, Inc.
We look forward to offering updates on our winners so check back! Thanks to all who participated and keep an eye out for other exciting contests from our talented folks at the Business Channel.
Thank you so much for the opportunity. It comes at a great time too. Going through some injuries and have had to take some time off so this well definitely help to get back into full swing.
Congrats to the other winners, as well.