Q: Who is eligible to enter the contest?
A: The Contest is open only to female parents, 18 years of age or older, who are the majority owner (i.e., greater than fifty percent (50%)) of the subject business entity residing or carrying on business in the 50 United States and Canada, with the exception of the Province of Quebec and except where prohibited by law. Please review the Official Contest Rules to learn more about eligibility.

Q: How do I find out about updates on the contest?
A: You can register for our newsletter, subscribe to our blog via email or via a reader, or connect with us on Twitter or Facebook. 

Q: What are the Prizes?
A: Please visit our Prizes page for a full listing of prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and the 3^rd place winner. In addition, the first 200 applicants will receive two special gifts. The first is a free download of the popular book PR in Your Pajamasby Elena Verlee (value of $29), and the second is one-month of free access to Care4Hire.com’s database of care providers (value of $9.99).

Q: Who are the judges? What are their backgrounds?
A: Our panel of distinguished judgesinclude Tamara Monosoff of Mom Invented, Stacey Kannenberg of Cedar Valley Publishing and Andrew Morrison of Small Business Camp.

Q: How many times can I enter the contest?
A: You may only enter one (1) Submission per business. Please review the Official Contest Rules to learn more.

Q: What is the deadline for submissions?
A: The contest will run from January 1, 2010 – April 30, 2010 (the “Contest Period”). Entries will only be accepted during the Contest Period. Please review the Official Contest Rules to learn more.

Q: Why enter the contest?
A: The Business Baby Shower Contest requires information from entrants that encourages them to have a clear understanding of their business and the challenges they face. This is a great exercise to go through when starting or growing a business. In addition, winners will receive thousands of dollars worth of prizes and media exposure, which is critical to the success of a business.   In addition, the first 200 applicants will receive two special gifts. The first is a free download of the popular book PR in Your Pajamasby Elena Verlee (value of $29), and the second is one-month of free access to Care4Hire.com’s database of care providers (value of $34.99).

Q: What kind of video types are accepted in the contest?
A: You must upload your two minute video to an online site such as YouTube.com, your website or another video sharing site and then include the direct link to where it is located online. YouTube.com videos are preferred.

Q: How long should my video be?
A: We ask that all videos submitted to the contest are less than two minutes in length. Videos exceeding this length will be disqualified from judging.

Q: Do we need to submit the video at the same time as the application?
A: Yes, it is best to submit everything together so that nothing is lost. If an application is incomplete when submitted then the entrant is disqualified.

Q: How will Business Baby Shower use my entry?
A: All materials submitted to the contest become the property of Business Baby Shower as stated in the Official Contest Rules. Winners agree to allow Business Baby Shower and its affiliates the right to use their name, voice, statements, city and state, and/or likeness, as well as their business’s name, location, photograph, and image in any and all promotional advertising, or media activity or any other promotional, advertising or media materials.

Q: How will winners be selected?
A: After the conclusion of the Contest on April 30, 2010, a panel of judges will decide upon the contest’s three winners. All eligible Submissions will be judged on the following criteria: (i) degree of business solution; (ii) creativity of solution; and (iii) practicality/broad applicability of solution. Please review the Official Contest Rules to learn more.

Q: How will winners of the Contest be notified?
A: Business Baby Shower judges will notify all winners via email and/or phone. Winners will also be announced on the Business Baby Shower blog on or before May 31, 2010.

Q: When will the winners of the Contest be announced?
A: On or before May 31, 2010. 

Q: How will the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place prizes be distributed?
A: All prizes will be delivered directly from donors. Winners will receive a confirmation letter outlining the prizes they have won. Business Baby Shower personnel will help you make contact with each donor in order to claim your prize.

Q: Why is there an entry fee of $25?
A: This is not a popularity contest; therefore we rely on entry fees as opposed to advertising dollars to help us run the contest. The Business Baby Shower Contest is based on an entrant’s genuine need for support to either start or grow their business.

Q: Are there any refunds?
A: There are no refunds once you have submitted your application and paid the $25 entry fee.

Q: My question is not listed here. Who can I contact?
A: Please contact traci@businessbabyshower.com or call (603) 664-3841 with any additional questions.