Small business. Big Grant. That's the motto of the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. Voting runs from now until February 23rd, 2014. QuiltWoman.com has a chance to win a grant of up to $25,000 partially based on the number of votes we receive. We are asking our blog readers, followers, staff and friends to vote for us every day so that we can make our small business better. Here is our entry. I have been sewing, quilting, and crafting all my life. I have owned a craft shop, a mail order business, my own CPA practice, and a quilt shop. In 2005 I began designing my own patterns. QuiltWoman.com was a company I wanted to emulate. When the prior owner was retiring, I bought the company in order to expand my distribution channels. I then began to help other designers cultivate their passion as well. This business brings together all my past experience into one perfect business for me. [caption id="attachment_2028" align="aligncenter" width="627"]
When we entered the contest I was asked how we would use the FedEx SMB Grant money to make a significant impact on your business and/or on others? I stated that "the potential for this market is as endless as the ideas from creative people. Right now we would like to purchase a color fabric printer to expand our product and service offerings. This will enable us to offer our publishing services to even more independent designers, most of whom work from home while raising a family. Emerging trends in this industry point to many years of growth."
Success means loving what you do and earning a living at the same time. Knowing that I am contributing to my family income while enjoying my work every day and helping other independent small business people is the most rewarding work I could hope for. The quilting community is a warm and friendly place to work and I can't imagine ever doing anything else but staying in a creative business. The services I provide (at no upfront cost) for designers are not offered on this scale anywhere else.
Please take a few seconds each day and visit the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest site to vote for us.
