Times are tough for many small businesses. And that’s bad for everyone as small businesses are seen by many economists as the driver of much new job growth.
American Express and NBC Universal are working to help out American small businesses. Their “Shine A Light” award is designed to spotlight the exemplary work of some new small businesses and to promote innovative business plans.
And you get to cast a vote on which small business gets this year’s Shine A Light award, which comes with a $100,000 prize and ongoing marketing support from American Express. So far, the many nominated businesses have been narrowed down by a team of judges, including Ellen DeGeneres, to three finalists: Beacon Paint and Hardware, Sacred Wind Communications and Happy Baby Foods.
Each of the finalists is showcased in separate video segments on the site. You can register there to vote on your favorite. The site also features a question and answer section where small business owners can get advice from business experts. Voting ends on October 16.
Photo courtesy of Alan Light, via Flickr