The Indie - Independent Small Business of the Year Award Independent We Stand
Honoring the best locally
owned businesses in the nation
2012 Winner

Do you know of a locally owned business that has gone out of their way to support their community?

Maybe they pitched in to help clear the damage after a recent storm or made sure the neighborhood little league team had uniforms for the upcoming season. Or how about a locally owned business that went above and beyond to deliver great customer service? If so, we want to recognize and reward them as the best locally owned business in the country with the Independent We Stand Independent Business of the Year Award, "The Indie."

Official Contest Rules

  1. No purchase necessary to enter or win. By participating in this promotion, each entrant fully and unconditionally agrees to and accepts these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding. To enter, complete and submit the online entry form at www.IndependentWeStand.org
  2. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age or older.
  3. Void where prohibited
  4. HOW TO ENTER:During the Contest Entry Period, visit the www.IndieBizAward.com and follow the directions provided to complete the entry form. All Entries must be received by 11:59PM EST on August 17, 2012.
  5. WINNER DETERMINATION:The Contest will consist of two (2) phases to determine the winners: (i) Judging Phase and (ii) Voting Phase. Finalists will be selected through the Judging Phase and announced August 22, 2012. All finalists will be posted on IndependentWeStand.org and voted on by the public. The winner will be notified within 7 days of selection by telephone or email, whichever is appropriate. The final winner will be announced September 10, 2012.
  6. PRIZE: See specific prize details. Prizes are not transferable and no substitutions or cash equivalents are permitted except by Sponsor. Travel dates may be subject to blackout periods and other restrictions. If the prize is not claimed within the specified time limit, the prize will be forfeited. Federal taxes, local state taxes, airports departure taxes, or other fees connected with the prize will be the sole responsibility of the prizewinner. Entrants waive the right to claim as a cost of winning any prize, any and all costs or expenses associated with redemption or travel to redeem.
  7. The prize-winner must accept that that his/her name and/or likeness may be announced in Independent We Stand literature or on the Internet for publicity or advertising purposes without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law.
  8. By accepting any prize, the winner agrees to and releases Independent We Stand, the prize sponsors and its representatives, from all liability of any type whatsoever.
  9. Independent We Stand reserves the right in its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend any contest should virus, computer hackers, or any other cause beyond its control impede the administration and or security of such sweepstakes.
  10. Independent We Stand may use any entrant information obtained in this promotional sweepstakes for purposes of conducting this promotion and will not disclose such information externally to third parties.
  11. GENERAL CONDITIONS: By participating, each entrant agrees: (a) to abide by these Official Rules and decisions of Sponsor and judges, which shall be final and binding in all respects relating to this Contest; (b) to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless Sponsor, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and the respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives of the forgoing (collectively, "Released Parties") from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind to persons, including death, or property resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from entrant's participation in the Contest or any Contest-related activity or the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any awarded prize (including any travel/activity related thereto) or Released Parties' use of any of the rights granted herein; and (c) to the use by Sponsor and its designees of his/her name, voice, performance, photograph/video, image and/or likeness for advertising, publicity and promotional purposes in any and all media, now or hereafter known, worldwide, and in perpetuity, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) or additional consents from entrant or any third party and without prior notice, approval or inspection, and to execute specific consent to such use if asked to do so. By participating, entrant also agrees not to release any publicity or other materials on their own or through someone else regarding their participation in the Contest without the prior consent of the Sponsor, which it may withhold in its sole discretion.
  12. PRIZES:
    • A New Website. The "Small Business Web Starter Package" from Launch Interactive includes custom layout design and programming of homepage and 5 additional pages, location page with Google map integration and web traffic reporting. Value $5,000
    • STIHL Equipment Certificate. - A certificate for $1000 worth of STIHL equipment good at any STIHL dealer in the US.
    • 3 Days/Two Night stay at an independent beach resort hotel in Virginia Beach, a tour of the STIHL plant and museum and a gourmet dinner with the Independent We Stand team. Value $1,000
    • Special plaque awarded to the winner to proudly display in their business.
    • Public Relations and Social Recognition
    • 5 Minute Video to be featured on the IWS YouTube Channel.
    • Each Semi-finalist (5) will receive a Premium Membership on Independent We Stand.
  13. The business that wins will provide all content for the website, including copy, photography, logo and graphics and Launch Interactive will do the rest. Includes 2 custom homepage designs with 1 round of revisions; interior page design with 1 rounds of revisions. All copy/logos/graphics provided by client. Edits will be charged at hourly rate.
  14. Employees of STIHL Inc., its branches, distributors, and marketing agencies, and of Independent We Stand are ineligible