The kiddies are back to school and I’m back into my routine.  I just dropped them off and while we all had a great spring break, they were happy to see their friends and teachers and I am happy to get some structure back into our lives.  By the end of the week, with all the quality time we were all spending together, the girls seemed to fight quite a bit towards the end.   

I got some exciting news over spring break.  Every year the Charleston Regional Business journal recognizes the top 40 business/entrepreneurial type people under the age of 40 and this year I was nominated (thanks mom!) and was chosen!  The business journal does a big spread on the winners and their companies.  There is an awards banquet which is really nice too.  I’m so excited!!  This is a good example of the things you can do for your company during those “off hours”.  If I happen to be in the office during normal business hours, usually I am in full-on sales mode, but after hours, weekends etc.. there are TONS of things you can be doing to promote your business.  Marketing NEVER stops and since a Mompreuenur’s® hours don’t fall into the usual M-F 8-5 category; I do have to work on my business at some crazy times.  One great off-hours activity and a way to get your name out there is to apply to various business or entrepreneurial contests.  You can either nominate yourself or ask a friend or family member to nominate you.  Most contests are an annual thing, so even if you haven’t launched yet, you can research the ones that would apply to you and made a list for next year! Look for local as well as national contest and awards you might apply for. 

Here are just some examples of the kinds of things I’m talking about 

http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/events/40under40nomination.html 

http://www.stevieawards.com/ 

http://www.forbes.com/2007/08/01/small-business-contest-ent-fin-cx_bn_0801byb07_land.html 

http://www.athenafoundation.org/ 

And there are TONS more, you just have to do your homework, look online, read your local business publications, stay in touch with your local SBA and SBDC and also look to your local Chamber of Commerce.   

Leslie Haywood, Founder and President of Charmed Life Products, Inventor of Grill Charms™  www.grillcharms.com 

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