Gorilla Sacks Wins Grand Prize in BigCommerce $35,000 Ecommerce Makeover Contest

AUSTIN, Texas, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- BigCommerce, the leading provider of multi-channel ecommerce software for online merchants, today announced that it has selected Atlanta, GA-based Gorilla Sacks as the grand prize winner in the BigCommerce $35,000 Ecommerce Makeover Contest.  Gorilla Sacks, whose tote and messenger bags made from recycled billboards are available online at GorillaSacks.com and in boutique stores nationwide, will now receive a professional store redesign and migration of their online store to BigCommerce, as well as many other prizes valued at over $20,000.

Founded by Lisa Zawacki, grand prize winner Gorilla Sacks converts retired billboards into one-of-a-kind messenger, market, tote and sling bags.  The company also donates 10% of its profits to Gorilla Haven, whose mission is to help make every captive gorilla's life as enriched and natural as possible.  Zawacki entered the contest due to her frustration with the limited functionality of her existing OS Commerce website; she was also eager to build a more professional looking site that would support her efforts to partner with large corporations on their recycling efforts.  In her video entry, Zawacki detailed her struggle with the company's current ecommerce platform and her desire to take Gorilla Sacks to the next level in terms of online presence and growth.

The BigCommerce $35,000 Ecommerce Makeover Contest was a search for companies like Gorilla Sacks who have the potential for growth but just need a little help getting there.  Merchants from around the world submitted their company stories via YouTube videos, and five finalists were selected to compete for the grand prize.  The five finalists' videos were posted on the BigCommerce web site and Facebook® page, where the public had an opportunity to vote for their favorite submitted video.  BigCommerce then evaluated the three sites with the most votes and selected Gorilla Sacks as the grand prize winner based on the company's potential for growth and their inspiring story.

"Gorilla Sacks is already a successful online and offline retail business, and her recycled products and commitment to helping gorillas resonate with today's eco-minded consumers. With a professional and full-featured ecommerce website, Gorilla Sacks can easily grow their business even more – getting the site found by search engines, better serving customers, and completing more sales," said Mitchell Harper, co-founder and co-CEO of BigCommerce.  "Our core mission as the leading ecommerce platform is to make it easy for anyone to grow their business online, and we're excited to work with Gorilla Sacks to build an online store and marketing program that takes the business to the next level."

In addition to announcing the grand prize winner, BigCommerce today also announced that the four runners-up will receive a BigCommerce Gold Store and other promotional opportunities.  The four runners-up are:

• CoastCityStyles.com - DC and Marvel comic-themed T-shirts and merchandise
• KettleBellsUSA.com - kettlebells and other weight training items
• LatinPopShop.com - Latino, Latino-American and Latin-themed arts and handmade gifts
• OverTheMoonRibbons.com - a unique line of ribbons for design and craft projects

"We were truly inspired by all of our contest entrants, and we want to thank all of them as well as our BigCommerce merchant community for their participation in the contest and for helping us select the winner.  We look forward to supporting our four finalists and our grand prize winner in further growing their businesses on the BigCommerce platform," said Eddie Machaalani, co-founder and co-CEO of BigCommerce.

ABOUT BIGCOMMERCE

BigCommerce is the leading provider of ecommerce software for small business merchants.  BigCommerce enables any small business to easily set up and operate a professional ecommerce site, combining advanced ecommerce functionality with simple, intuitive design and administration.  More than just an ecommerce platform, BigCommerce also helps small businesses attract more customers to their stores with just a few simple clicks, and offers more features than other ecommerce solutions.  BigCommerce is the latest offering from Interspire™, a leading provider of shopping cart software used by more than 40,000 organizations worldwide.  For more information, please visit www.bigcommerce.com.

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SOURCE BigCommerce