Entrepreneur magazine and The UPS Store to hunt business pioneers

IRVINE, Calif.- Entrepreneur magazine and The UPS Store today launched the “Entrepreneur of the Year” contest. Nationwide, the business community is being called upon to find those who best exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit.

“Without entrepreneurs, there would be no business community; these are the people who represent 99.7 percent of all employers,” said Rieva Lesonsky, director of Entrepreneur magazine. “Their passion fuels America’s economy. This contest is truly a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to celebrate their own.”

Eligible business owners are invited to submit an online entry at the contest’s Web site, www.entrepreneur.com/eoy. Nominations will be accepted through June 30, 2008. Businesses with no more than 100 employees and gross sales revenue of at least $3 million in 2007 will qualify for the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award. “Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year” is open to companies that have been in business for less than five years with less than five employees and which posted at least $500,000 in gross sales revenue for 2007.

An expert panel of judges will choose the finalists, including representatives from Entrepreneur’s editorial department and Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE), the franchisor of The UPS Store, along with Entrepreneur columnist Robert Kiyosaki (“Rich Dad, Poor Dad”). The panel’s decision will be based on several criteria, including business growth in terms of number of employees and annual gross sales revenue as well as impact on an industry, the community, employees and customers.

Once finalists are chosen, the public will select its winners by an online vote at www.entrepreneur.com/eoy. Voting will take place from July 21 to Aug. 20.

“The UPS Store franchisees are entrepreneurs and small-business owners, so it’s our privilege to acknowledge peers who have created and sustained their own successful business endeavors,” said Stuart Mathis, president of MBE. “Many of our customers are everyday entrepreneurs and small-business owners; we make it our goal to help see their businesses grow and succeed.”

The two winning business leaders will be profiled in the December 2008 issue of Entrepreneur magazine and honored at an awards luncheon and ceremony in December 2008 in Long Beach, Calif. Additionally, the winners will receive two roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the United States, a gift certificate for free services at The UPS Store, a three-year subscription to Entrepreneur magazine, and a selection of Entrepreneur Press books.

For complete rules and regulations for Entrepreneur®magazine’s 2008 Entrepreneur of The Year Contest Presented by The UPS Store®, visit www.entrepreneur.com/eoy.