Home-based business owners selected as Ruby Slipper Award finalists

Nine home-based business owners were selected as the finalists for the national Ruby Slipper Award.

Chandler, AZ (PRWEB) December 15, 2003 --Janet Drez, owner of A Perfect Solution and sponsor of the national Ruby Slipper Award announced the nine finalists today. Often seen wearing her own ruby slippers, Drez created the Award to honor an outstanding home-based business owner. Why ruby slippers? Because, according to Drez, "there's no place like home" for home-based business owners. The nine finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Andrea Beaulieu, Andrea Beaulieu Creates, LLC, Phoenix, AZ (602-650-1221)
Cathy Begun, The Elegant Bead, Centennial, CO (303-627-1285)
Lola Kakes, Professional Administrative Services, Inc., Tucson, AZ (520-245-1842)
David Lastinger, On the Spot Detailing, Phoenix, AZ (602-524-3222)
Tina L. Miller, Obadiah Press LLC, Merrill, WI (715-536-3167)
Kathy Sweeney, The Write Resume, Chandler, AZ (480-726-9052)
Khrys Vaughn, Christian Events Online, LLC, Hampton, VA (877-313-7922)
Clare Willis, Clare's Coloring Cottage, Mesa, AZ (480-456-9307)
Maia Wright, The Christian Resource Guide, Scottsdale, AZ (602-265-5575)

"Many small-business awards disillusioned me because their revenue and employee criteria preclude most home-based business owners from winning," said Drez. "I want this award to recognize the significant contributions of home-based businesses and I was just thrilled at the response to this first year's nominations."

The Ruby Slipper Award recipient will be selected by an independent, national judging panel consisting of Ann Videan - owner of Videan Unlimited, a home-based marketing consulting firm in Mesa, AZ; Sandi Brock - director of the Women's Business Center in Chattanooga, TN, Regina Baker - creator and owner of Christians-In-Business.com in Houston, TX; Lesley Spencer - founder and director of the national association of Home-Based Working Moms (www.HBWM.com) in Austin, TX and Faith McNaughton - Founding Star Director with Southern Living at Home in Gilbert, AZ.

The applicants are judged on their business overview and personal story, leadership of the company, community involvement, the most rewarding aspect of owning a home-based business, the greatest challenge faced by the business owner, and any advice the applicant would give to someone considering starting their own home-based business.

The awards presentation and hot air balloon launch event will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 in Phoenix. The winner will receive airfare to Phoenix, hotel accommodation, hot air balloon ride and presentation of the Ruby Slipper Award - a hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind ruby slipper created by fabric artist Laurie Fagen of Fagen Designs.

For more information or event reservations, please call Janet Drez, 480-899-3090 or janet@aperfectsolution.com; www.aperfectsolution.com

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