A New Grant Program for Women Entrepreneurs

Thanks to friend and fellow mom blogger Heather Allard at The Mogul Mom for this information.

Eileen Fisher, who started her company with $350 and a vision, is offering a Business Grant Program for Women Entrepreneurs. Five women-owned companies will be awarded with grants of $10,000 each. At least one of these grants will go to a start-up organization (or an organization that’s less than three years old), and the rest will go to organizations that need funds to grow. Only wholly woman-owned businesses are eligible for this grant.

The application deadline is June 1, 2009.

For complete information and to apply, read Heather's post about the grant. You can also learn more about this grant and many others for mom entrepreneurs in the Resource section of The Mom Entrepreneur website.

Tip for saving money on going out to eat

I wanted to share with you a great site I have been using to purchase gift certificates for local restaurants. Occasionally you can purchase $25 gift certificates from Restaurant.com for only $3.00 each. I have done this three times now and find the savings are great especially in this economy when you still would like to go out and eat every now and then.

Today, I found an even better way to buy gift certificates at Restaurant.com. I signed up at Ebates.com, then purchased my gift certificates at Restaurant.com through Ebates.com and earned 15% back on my purchase. That makes the certificates about $2.55 each. Great deal! In addition, I received a $5 sign up bonus at Ebates.com.

The $3 for every $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate promo ends March 31st. Use code SAVE at checkout to get your discount.

So here is what you do to save:

• Go to ebates.com using this link…> (sign up for free today - it only takes 15 seconds and you'll also get a $5 sign up bonus (I'll get one too!))
• Search for Restaurant.com in their list of stores
• When on the Restaurant.com site, enter your zip code to see what restaurants are in your area
• Purchase the $25 gift certificates you want (pay attention to any special restrictions)
• Enter code SAVE at check out
• Print out your gift certificates
• Pass along your Ebates.com savings idea to your network

If you have additional savings ideas, please share. I went to the grocery store today and saved $40 using coupon layering techniques that I have been learning. I was psyched.

For more savings ideas, I suggest subscribing to the following blogs: http://neverpayretailagain.blogspot.com/, www.consumerqueen.com, www.coupondivas.com/, http://www.shop4freebies.com (this one is great for freebies and samples – I have gotten dozens of great items in the past few weeks), and I recommend www.thecouponizer.com for storing all of you wonderful coupons!

Happy savings!

Have you visited our Resources list lately?

The Mom Entrepreneur website contains a Resources page, which includes a list of grants, contest, awards, media opportunities, product reviews, etc. The list contains dozens of opportunities targeted to mom entrepreneurs and is updated monthly.

Check it out! If you know of a site that should be added to our list, please email traci@themomentrepreneur.com.

Freebies for mom entrepreneurs

I have a few freebie sites to tell you about today. I learned there has been a lot of traffic on www.freebies4mom.com because it was a top pick on Google hot trends. I registered at the site and was able to get samples of things I use everyday (shampoo, dishwasher detergent, etc.) and some new items. I even got some coffee for my husband. There are also many kinds of coupons you can access and "clip".

If you click off to the WalMart page, you can even download a new free song each week. This week's free song is Nikka Costa - Stuck To You.

Also, if you have not checked out the Resources page on The Mom Entrepreneur website then you are missing out on a listing of grants, awards, contests and free PR opportunities.

What other free sample or resource sites are out there? Please leave a comment.

HP Mom Entrepreneur Grant Giveaway

HP in partnership with BSM Media and co-sponsored by KCMetroMoms.com are giving mompreneurs a chance to win some money to help grow their business. They will be choosing 2 winners to get a $500 grant as well as a $100 Walgreens gift card.

If you create unique promotional items using digital photography to promote your business then this grant giveaway may be of interest to you.

For more information, click here...>