Back in early April 2011, around the same time I entered the Startup Nation Women in Business Competition, I also entered Blanket Statements in the IdeaCafe.com 11th Annual $1000 Small Business Grant Competition.



The Application Stage was from April 13th to June 12th. According to IdeaCafe.com over 2,000 small businesses entered the competition by submitting a written application on their businesses, what they would do with the grant money if they won, and what they will do to "pay it forward." From those initial applications, 150 finalists were chosen to compete in one of three monthly competitions. 50 businesses in July, 50 in August, and 50 in September will vie for $500 in advertising credits and the chance at the $1000 cash grant prize.

I am thrilled to announce that Blanket Statements was chosen as one of those 150 small business finalists. We are in the July voting month. The business owner who has received the most votes at the end of the month will be awarded $500 in advertising credits and make it to the final round where Idea Cafe's panel of judges will select the ultimate grant winner.