Office Depot and Financial Expert Jean Chatzky Partner to Makeover Small Businesses

BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), a leading global provider of office supplies and services, has partnered with financial expert Jean Chatzky to offer tips to revitalize small businesses. Additionally, as part of the Small Business Makeover contest, three small businesses will receive a makeover, including a one-on-one financial coaching session with Jean Chatzky.

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The Small Business Makeover contest is designed to help small business owners augment or adjust their business in order to save time, grow and prosper in 2012 and beyond. The contest will award three small businesses a makeover from Office Depot, which includes a one-on-one financial coaching session with Jean Chatzky, office furniture, and supplies featuring Jean's line of Mead financial organization products, available exclusively at Office Depot.

Small businesses can enter the contest by visiting Office Depot's Facebook page and submitting, in 100 words or less, why their small business is in need of a makeover.

"Small businesses are essential to our economy, and the start of the new year is a great time to prepare for growth," said Jean Chatzky, financial expert, journalist and motivational speaker. "Office Depot's Small Business Makeover program will help invigorate small businesses and provide them with assistance to help make 2012 a successful year." 

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the 27 million small businesses in the U.S. account for 99.7 percent of all U.S. employers.  Additionally, 60 percent of all new companies in the U.S. are classified as a small business, which indicates that today's economy has put the power—and responsibility, in the individual's hands to build and create income. 

So how are these small businesses faring?  According to a recent Office Depot Small Business Index survey of one thousand small businesses, 45 percent demonstrated an optimistic outlook for 2012 and 25 percent saw their profits grow over last year.  

"It is encouraging to hear that small businesses are feeling optimistic about 2012," said Bob Moore, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Office Depot. "As a long-time advocate for small businesses, Office Depot continues to work with these organizations to save time with products and services that help them succeed. Office Depot's Small Business Makeover contest, along with our online Small Business Resource Center, provides resources to start, grow and maintain small businesses."

To enter the Small Business Makeover contest, visit Office Depot's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/officedepot. Contest ends February 27, 2012.  To view the complete rules and regulations please visit the Office Depot Facebook page.

To learn more about the products and services available at Office Depot, please visit your local Office Depot retail store location or http://www.officedepot.com/. To follow Office Depot on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/officedepot.

SOURCE Office Depot