Finalists Announced for Entrepreneur Magazine's Entrepreneur of 2011 Contest Presented by The UPS Store

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the finalists for Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur of 2011 contest chosen, voting is now officially open for the small business community to help select the winners. Five finalists in each of the three categories—established, emerging and college—share the vision behind their companies via video on the contest website, where visitors from all over the world can vote for their favorite until Sept. 12.

Past winners have rocked our world with radical headgear, taken us back to basics with healthy snack ideas, and made innovative contributions to the sustainability movement. This year's finalists are no less original, shining in their own right by merging genius ideas in hot markets with innovative executions.  They're doing it all while passionately making an impact on their industries, employees and communities.

"The 2011 finalists once again demonstrate the kind of passion and progressive thinking that's not just rewriting the rules of business but also making a difference in people's lives," says Amy Cosper, VP/editor in chief at Entrepreneur. "We're anxiously awaiting the entrepreneurial community's top picks."

"We've got an exceptional set of finalists for this contest," says Stuart Mathis, president of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., franchisor of The UPS Store®. "They represent the many ways small business owners, like our franchisees, are making their mark through their businesses every day. It'll be exciting to see who will rise to the top among this impressive group."

The three winners will be profiled in the January issue of the magazine and honored at the luncheon portion of the upcoming 2012 Growth Conference in Long Beach, Calif. This marks the fourth consecutive year for the contest and conference both presented by The UPS Store network.

To see the full profile and video of each finalist, and to vote for your favorite in the established and emerging categories, go to entrepreneur.com/e2011.

Established Entrepreneur of 2011 Finalists
CouponCabin.com, Scott Kluth
glassybaby, Lee Rhodes
Justin's Nut Butter, Justin Gold
MKG, Maneesh Goyal
Thrillist.com, Ben Lerer

Emerging Entrepreneur of 2011 Finalists
Ava Anderson Non-Toxic, Kim Anderson
Blood is the New Black, Mitra Khayyam
Connected Investors, Ross Hamilton
Good Nite Lite, Adam Nelson
VAVi Sport & Social Club, Latane Meade

To see the full profile and video of each college category finalist—and vote for your favorite, go to entrepreneur.com/e2011college.

College Entrepreneur of 2011 Finalists
Boson Inc., Nicolas Kane
Campus Swaps, Shira Abramowitz
G3Box, Gabrielle Palermo
Ellens Technologies, Jeremy Ellens
Pulse Motors, Micah Toll

About Entrepreneur Media Inc.

Entrepreneur Media Inc. is the premier content provider for and about entrepreneurs. Our products engage and inspire every day with the advice, solutions and resources that fuel the bold and independent way entrepreneurs think.

After 34 years, nobody reaches more growing businesses. As the original magazine for the small and midsize business community, Entrepreneur continues to be the definitive guide to all the diverse challenges of business ownership. Entrepreneur.com is the most widely used website by entrepreneurs and emerging businesses worldwide. Entrepreneur Press publishes the books that turn entrepreneurial skills into business success.

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About The UPS Store

With more than 4,700 locations, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. network comprises the world's largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.  In the U.S. and Puerto Rico, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS subsidiary.  In Canada, locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of master licensee MBEC Communications, L.P.  For additional information on The UPS Store, including information on franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location*, visit www.theupsstore.com.

Follow us on Twitter at @TheUPSStore, and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/theupsstore.

*This is not an offer of a franchise.  Any franchise offer is made only after a Franchise Disclosure Document has been provided.

SOURCE Entrepreneur Media Inc.