Entrepreneur Magazine's Entrepreneur of 2012 Contest Presented by The UPS Store Launches 5th Annual Search for Top Small-Biz Owners

IRVINE, Calif., April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The call for entries has begun for Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur of 2012 contest presented by The UPS Store ®. For the fifth year running, Entrepreneur is searching nationwide for extraordinary entrepreneurs to share their inspired stories on how they have revolutionized their industries and positively impacted their employees and communities. Nominees are being accepted until June 15, 2012.

Entrepreneur of 2012 and Emerging Entrepreneur of 2012 Categories

Businesses with no more than 100 employees and gross sales revenue of at least $3 million in 2011 qualify for the Entrepreneur of 2012 award. The Emerging Entrepreneur of 2012 is open to companies with no more than 12 employees that posted at least $350,000 in gross sales revenue in 2011. Entrepreneurs can submit their entries at entrepreneur.com/e2012.

College Entrepreneur of 2012 Category

College students with promising business ideas can enter their business plans for a chance to win $5,000 in startup capital. Interested students should visit entrepreneur.com/e2012college. Entrants must be either undergraduate or graduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 during the time of submission.

"Now more than ever, it is an honor to hold the title of entrepreneur," says Amy Cosper, vice president and editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine. "The ones who will stand out in this competition are those who go above and beyond profits. It's not enough for them to excel in their own companies – they want to advance their industries and improve the lives of those around them. We're excited to see who has that winning spirit this year."

Last year's winners included Entrepreneur of 2011 Lee Rhodes of glassybaby, Emerging Entrepreneur of 2011 Adam Nelson of Good Nite Lite, and College Entrepreneur of 2011 Gabrielle Palermo of G3Box. Read more about them and their business stories at: entrepreneur.com/e2012.

A panel of judges, including representatives from Entrepreneur's editorial department and The UPS Store, will choose the finalists. The panel will base its decision 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.

"It's a privilege to connect with the small-business community through this contest," says Stuart Mathis, president of Mail Boxes Etc. Inc., which franchises The UPS Store locations. "The UPS Store franchise owners offer services to help fellow small businesses launch and then grow, including mailboxes with a real street address, printing services, direct mail and much more."

In addition to the start-up capital for the College Entrepreneur of 2012, all three winning entrepreneurs will receive two roundtrip tickets within the continental U.S. and a profile in the January 2013 issue of Entrepreneur magazine. The three winners will also be honored at an awards luncheon and ceremony in January 2013 at Entrepreneur's fifth-annual Growth Conference in Dallas. In addition, the winners will receive a gift certificate for $500 in services at The UPS Store, a three-year subscription to Entrepreneur magazine and a selection of Entrepreneur Press books.

Entry criteria and the complete rules can be found on entrepreneur.com/e2012/rules, or for the college contest, visit entrepreneur.com/e2012college/rules. The deadline to enter is June 15, 2012.

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After 35 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 nearly 4,700 locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc.® network comprises the world's largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, printing and business service centers.  In the U.S., The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a subsidiary of UPS (NYSE:UPS).  In Canada, locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of master licensee MBEC Communications, L.P.  Services, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location.  For additional information on The UPS Store, including information on franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location, visit www.theupsstore.com.    

Follow The UPS Store on Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like The UPS Store on Facebook at facebook.com/theupsstore. 

SOURCE Entrepreneur Media Inc.