Small Business Big Game kicked off July 31 and had tens of thousands of small businesses enter for the chance to win more than $25 million in rewards and offers to help them succeed. Then the field was narrowed to just 20 that Intuit’s 8,000 employees around the globe voted on to determine the top four finalists. Now with only a few days to go before the Super Bowl it is time to decide which of the four lucky finalists will get a featured sport during the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Of the four finalists up for the huge top prize I am a fan of Barley Labs out of Durham, NC.  As a stay at home mom raising two boys you look for opportunities to build something of your own without giving up being a mom.  In this case it is a couple that started a dog treat business from their house from the left over grain from a home brewing hobby.  They don’t have a big factory, commercial kitchen, or staff and they are striving to make a small passion a success.  My husband and I can relate to that because we would love to be able to develop this site and several other family friendly sites into a successful network that would allow us to have the freedom to raise our family without being tied to a corporate clock.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdgddByjyyA[/youtube]

I wish Barley Labs th ebest of luck this week along with the other three finalsts.  Even if they don’t win all four finalists do receive a nice little prize package to help their business grow.

In addition to vying for the ultimate prize, all four businesses score big no matter what outcome. As finalists they will receive:

  • Free, lifetime use of Intuit small business solutions, including Intuit QuickBooks, payroll and payments.
  • Professionally produced advertising for their business.
  • A meeting and business advice from entrepreneur and reality star Bill Rancic.
  • An all-expense paid trip to New York for a big game viewing party held in their honor.

More information on the top four is available on the Small Business Big Game website at www.SmallBusinessBigGame.com.  To join the Small Business Big Game social conversation, share on Facebook and Twitter using #TeamSmallBiz. Full rules are available at www.SmallBusinessBigGame.com/rules/

Follow:

winter

Book by Michael Slade
Music by David Evans
Lyrics by Faye Greenberg
Based on the book of the same title by John Leach & Jean Rankin
January 18 – February 9, 2014

The Gift of Winter is a whimsical tale of how snow came to be. A long time ago, townsfolk from a town comprised of all children send a delegation to travel to the Ministry of Winter to file a formal complaint to save the town from the coldest season. But it is the perseverance and determination of two boys that truly save their town. Popular songs include “The Answer is Snow” and “Down with Winter.” 25 cast members range in age from 9-16 and hail from all over the New York metro-area, including every borough!

TADA! Youth Theater is an ideal introduction for kids to the live theater, with delightful content, age-appropriate themes, an easily palatable running time and affordable prices. One family of four could see this production for less than the cost of one Broadway ticket.

Schedule: Jan. 18 – Feb 9, 2014. Saturdays & Sundays 2 & 4pm.

Special Show Dates includeOpening night on Saturday January 18 at 7pm; Monday. January. 20 at 12 & 2pm (a great place to take the kids when school is out!); Wednesday, February 5 at 10am & 12pm

Tickets: Only $8 for kids and $20 for adults; Premium tickets (available for every performance) are $25 for adults and $15 for kids, and include priority seating and support for TADA!’s programming. Non-profit and community groups of 20+ are $6 per child and $10 per adult.  Tickets are available at www.tadatheater.com and advanced purchase is recommended.

Running Time: 1 hour

LISTINGS INFORMATION
Who: TADA! Youth Theater
Ages: 3+
What: THE GIFT OF WINTER
Where: 15 West 28th Street 2nd floor NYC, 10001
When: Jan. 18 – Feb 9, 2014. Saturdays & Sundays 2 & 4pm. (Special performances on: 1/18 at 7pm; 1/ 20 at 12 & 2pm; 2/5 at 10am & 12pm)

How: www.tadatheater.com, or call 212-252-1619 x5

WINTER2

TADA! Youth Theater’s 2006 production of The Gift of Winter. Photo credit: Henry Chan.

One lucky winner will receive a Family 4-pack of tickets to see The Gift Of Winter {includes 2 adult & 2 child tickets}!
Giveaway ends January 24 at 11:59pm, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow:

DisneyClassics-PackShot-1024x1024
The Mickey Mouse Club has you humming M-I-C, see you real soon, K-E-Y, why? because we like you!, this is irresistible Disney magic!

As a Disney fanatic, this is the gift that keeps on giving… I’ve been listening to Disney music for as long as I can remember.  I even had the Cinderella soundtrack on LP and remembered how I couldn’t wait to come home from school to listen again again and now that my kids are listening to the same songs, I can’t help but get reminiscence of my childhood.   Here are just a few Disney songs that I sure you simply can’t resist sharing with your children and that will leave you day dreaming of your childhood.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/zblXvT7MpH8[/youtube]

So just in time to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Music is releasing an amazing 4 CD box set of classic Disney tunes. The box set is currently available for pre-order on Amazon ($42.88) and will be released on November 12, 2013. Special bonus for box set purchasers: a new medley of Disney hits by YouTube a capella sensations Peter Hollens and Alex G. Peter and Alex create fully orchestrated songs using only the sounds of their voices. See below to get a sneak  peak of the songlist +an  awesome giveaway for the entire family.   View Post

Follow:

PicMonkey CollageNew Yorkers will be able to feed their stomachs and their smartphones at a selection of local McDonald’s throughout New York City thanks to a new partnership between McDonald’s Tri-State area restaurants and Duracell PowerMat, who’s launching their new line of on-the-go smartphone chargers.

Smartphone users scrambling to charge their dying batteries along with curious consumers will be able to learn all about these new wireless products and freely try them with the help of Duracell PowerMat Brand Ambassadors stationed at select McDonald’s restaurants throughout Manhattan.

As an on-the-go  mom this item is the perfect item, so when I was offered the opportunity to review the Duracell PowerMat® I was beyond thrilled at the prospect of being able to have access to a 24-hour power system to charge our devices.  And because I love you guys so much, today I am offering a giveaway to TWO of my lucky readers….. View Post

Follow:

toysrusgift-1

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband that employs close to five hundred people. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren.

Roman has two wonderful sons and hit the jackpot in the daughter-in-law department. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband. Her first book, Captain No Beard – An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life has been named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2012 as well garnered the star of remarkable merit. Captain No Beard has developed into a series of 3 more books.

Her next project is the book series I Want To Do Yoga Too. She is currently working on a new educational series that explores different cultures from a child’s point of view. Carole has included Mexico, France and South Korea in the series. Turkey and Norway are coming soon!
2578533_orig

Carole P. Roman would love the opportunity to have one lucky reader pick a country for an upcoming book.

In addition, the winner will get signed copies of all the books in the series and will receive the new book as soon as it is released. A second winner will win a $200 (USD) Toys R Us gift card or paypal cash.

korea_page_6 korea_page_lunar

Complete the tasks below to earn entries into this giveaway.  Ends at 11:59pm EST on August 25th, 2013.
Enter on the link below for your chance to win!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ae31c0151/

This giveaway was coordinated by Giveaway Promote.

If you’re a blogger and would like to participate in a future giveaway event like this one, sign up for Giveaway Promote’s weekly giveaway events newsletter.

Follow: