kellys last blog post..Do I have big ears???

My coaching practice will open in May
And the name I’ve selected is Cachet

The HP Upline storage would bring lots of smiles
For storing all of my documents, presentations, and files

The Lexmark machine can print, scan, copy, and fax
About the only thing it can’t do is make a plate of snacks

This would help me in working with clients old and new
It would be useful when marketing my new business too

The Fellows shredder keeps your discarded documents confidential
When working with coaching clients, this is something essential

I’d use the Toshiba Notebook to communicate, create, and record
It would be the ultimate small-business working-hard reward

My practice will help clients achieve greatness in their lives
And experience regular wins that are worthy of high fives

If I’m the winner, I’ll feel extremely blessed
Thanks Brandie, for this cool contest!

Kim Parkinsons last blog post..Will I see YOU?

We’re developing an online resource for connecting people with purpose called Project Stand. We interview people who’ve made a difference, find out what inspired them to action and put those interviews online. We’re currently working with people and organizations at reach from Seattle to places like Mali and Vietnam.

You can check out one of our videos at: http://snurl.com/df58t

The uses of this office equipment would be of great benefit. Among other things it would allow us to dedicate a machine to video editing. To edit video well, and to deliver the strongest message takes many hours of computer time. There is a lot more to this project than meets the eye at our small blog at projectstand.com. We have a team of 6 people who have donated many, many(!) hours to editing video, design work for the new site coming out in a couple weeks, working with non-profits and different community leaders to help them acheive their various goals.

It’s been an inspiring journey, and a journey we invite you to be a part of. The equipment benefits anyone associated with Project Stand. We would be glad to provide all sorts of promotions and “props” back to Office Depot and your blog.

Gratefully-

Val

I’ve been doing some video editing for the past 3 years, but I’ve only been doing it as a volunteer/helping effort. My boyfriend and I are looking into starting our own videography business, however, being 1200 miles apart and with little to begin with, we really can’t afford to do videography professionally. We do enjoy helping out with creating and editing video for the volunteer organizations, as well as for family reunions and occasions. If we do become lucky enough to win this Office Depot Small Business Startup Kit, we could have a computer more powerful than ours (at the moment) to help us render our video a lot faster! We could also utilize the shredder to ensure that our client’s info won’t get stolen; and being that it’s cross-cut, that’s even better than using a pair of scissors and cutting each page into pieces (very time-consuming, trust me). The Lexmark All-In-One would be so helpful for us to get our ideas and storyboarding on paper when communicating with clients. And lastly, the $100 certificate would be such a huge help towards a video camera purchase that’s better than our old miniDV.

The reason my boyfriend (of 8 years) and I really want to do videography is because it’s fun for us to edit videos, but we noticed that a lot of wedding videos we see are all templated and we want to help couples (at a low cost) to capture moments that are meaningful to them through a storyboard. We want our videos to be personalized and we are not looking to just make money, but we want them to have the ability to share their love with the people that watch their video. We haven’t tied the knot because we feel our love story is special and we haven’t found the right videographers who can help depict our story…

Thanks!

I’ve got a small residual-income source, one trademarked product to begin with, a new blog to tie it all together, a couple of mentors to keep me on track, and a determination the size of Jupiter.

And, of course, everything seems to be on the edge of chaos and “how the h*ll am I going to pull this off?!” My six-year-old laptop is on its last legs, and I’m broke. And though any of the other prizes would be a real godsend, a new laptop would—symbolically and functionally—open the floodgates of my long-deferred talents, and you, Brandi, would go straight to Heaven!

To help things along, I’ve written a little haiku for you, and it probably should have been the only thing I said. See below my signature, and thanks a million for not only the opportunity, but for your big heart and valuable expertise!
Caroline

Haiku Pitch

Many years of work.
Dream smiles at me in doorway.
Laptop beams it in.

The cross-shredder would be extremely useful as I shred old invoices, credit card numbers and other confidential information. And the printer would be especially wonderful to have to help me create professional looking exhibitor packets and press releases. I currently do not have a fax machine and I am asked almost daily by exhibitors, if they can fax their contract to me. Every small business owner should have one and I am desperate for one! The data back up and storage service would be invaluable as I try to manage documents and files for 2 shows in 2 different cities.

My children have watched me start a new business and they are learning that anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it. I love what I am doing and I’m having a lot of fun! My goal is to make the Baby Bonanza Expo an anticipated yearly event not only in Columbus but also in Cleveland. Winning this great prize package from Office Depot would help make that a reality.

Thank you for offering such a wonderful prize! I subscribed to your blog too!
-Kendra

Hello, my name is Kendra Nicastro. I am a wife and proud mother of 2 great kids. I created the Baby Bonanza Expo, a maternity, baby and toddler show that features exhibitors, entertainment, educational seminars, a fashion show, a Dad’s Challenge, a NICU Reunion, diaper derby baby races, plus so much more.

Having a baby takes a lot of planning so I wanted to create a “one-stop shop” environment to allow parents and grandparents the opportunity to gather a wealth of information from a variety of local and national companies and organizations as well as have some fun!

While planning this event, I work closely with the March of Dimes, an organization that is special to our family. And each year I donate a portion the proceeds from the Baby Bonanza Expo to the March of Dimes in memory of our daughter.

I’ve added you to my google reader, am now following you on twitter and am about to retweet you. Thanks for this amazing opportunity.

My background :

I’m a full time university student majoring in biology and am enrolled part time in several other study programs (including paralegal studies & fashion construction) which I do to broaden and diversify my knowledge base and employment opportunities in the future. I feel like I can never learn enough! I really enjoy taking these extra courses, but as a result I spend an average of 8 to 11 hours a day on campus. This schedule has made it extremely difficult to coordinate business related activities since I‘m away from home during most of the day and often arrive home at around 11 PM. I think this is a HUGE pity because a lot of the time I spend on campus is idle time between classes (sometimes up to 4 hour stretches)! I currently use the computers provided on campus but they have so many limitations (no .exe downloads, no photoshop, etc.) that its been very frustrating to work with them. One of the other downsides to spending so much time on campus is that it makes it nearly impossible to find a part time job. My tuition is quite hefty, so having a small business would be great way to generate a little bit of income to help pay those hefty college fees.

My business plan:

I’m currently in the process of building a website/blog with my business partner (a good friend of mine) which we plan to launch in a few months. The general idea for the website is a unique trendspotting blog aimed at 20 and 30 somethings with a few unique twists (which I can’t disclose just quite yet ). We both have a keen eye for good design, moderate art skills, and most importantly, work amazing together on a creative level. We are taking our endeavors very seriously. On an individual level I would like to start my own small business from home dealing in selling my artwork and handmade clothing & accessories. I have wanted to launch a webstore for some time, but have lacked some of the resources to do so up until recently. I just purchased some new equipment for my workspace (sewing machine, fabric, tools, etc.) so I am ready to get things happening and am so excited about it!

Why this package would help me:

One of the major difficulties I have had so far with planning the new website is geographics – I live on the West Coast, my business partner lives on the East Coast. Not only can we not meeting in person, but both of us are full time students with very different schedules leading to huge coordinating difficulties. We are both very resourceful and are able to manage, but owning a laptop would be an HUGE advantage to the progression of the business! I have a PC at home, but would love to finally own a laptop to I use with the WiFi available on campus. That way I could accommodate to my friend’s schedule (she is usually available during daylight hours when I’m on campus), rather than her having to accommodate to me. Also, in the rare chance that I do win, I would also love to share some of the items in this package with my business partner. I think it would be great if I could send her the Office Depot card to purchase supplies of her choosing and also the Fellowes® PS 79ci 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Shredder. I didn’t tell her that I’m entering this contest, so if I win it will be a nice surprise!

Wrapping up an entry that is way too long (!):

Despite some of the problems we encounter in the planning of our website, my friend and I remain highly motivated, excited and optimistic about our future endeavors. I’m happy to have found I’ve a business partner in a friend who is reliable and trustworthy and that my business partner ended up to be someone I’ve known for years! Likewise, Office Depot has been a company that I’ve trusted and relied on for nearly all my life, I know they endorse quality products and wonderful customer service and would love to document the progression of my business endeavors with both you & them. I love to write so it will be an absolute pleasure to do so!

I understand the struggles of small business owners and entrepreneurs and know that having a resources like Office Depot and your blog make owning and running a small business so much less scary and stressful. Even if I don’t win this, I know that whoever does will benefit SO much from these great tools & am so excited and happy for the joy & helpfulness that these products will bring!

I was formerly employed, working way more than 40 hours a week and missing out on my life. My husband told me to stop and we would make it work so that I could FINALLY start my own business. I have been talking about it for 10 years. My husband gave me the gift of being able to stop being a slave to a corporate machine and start up my own little business. This gift would allow me to further my little business which is the only ‘Thank you’ that my husband wants in return for the many, many sacrifices that we have had to make for me to make this dream come true.

Thanks for reading and thanks for such an amazing opportunity for all of us to get a chance at this!!!!!

Thanks so much!!

Janelles last blog post..Leftover Pork and Country Soup

Thanks so much for the giveaway! It would truly be amazing to win this!!!!

I would definitely share my experience, and am about to sign up as a subscriber now.

Janelles last blog post..Leftover Pork and Country Soup