Ten Savvy Startups Hit the Road to win $20,000

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- In these uncertain economic times, managing and growing your business is a challenge, especially for entrepreneurs and small business owners. While the road to success can be a long and bumpy one, for ten small business owners, that road just got a little easier to travel. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is giving a major boost to ten small business owners in the U.S. with its Small Business Road-to-Success Challenge.

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Over the next three months, the ten finalists will travel the country and stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels for free, while building their enterprises and tackling their specific business goals. The finalists will share their highs and lows by blogging, tweeting and posting photos from the road.  At the end of the Challenge, one finalist chosen by a panel of judges to have been most successful in achieving their business goals, will win the $20,000 cash grand prize. Follow the progress of our finalists, leave encouraging comments, and find your favorite by visiting www.fairfieldchallenge.com, as well as connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter #smallbizchallenge.

"Recognizing that small businesses are the engine of the U.S. economy, we want to give these ten entrepreneurs a boost so they can grow their businesses and maybe go from start up to the Fortune 500 some day," said Shruti Gandhi Buckley, vice president, Global Brand Management, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. "With free WiFi, complimentary breakfast, and trusted Marriott service at an affordable price in over 650 locations, we believe that Fairfield Inn & Suites delivers what small business owners need, the best lodging value for their travel needs."

Meet the finalists:

• Alisa Barry, Bella Cucina – Atlanta, GA
• Diana Bourgeois, Networking in High Heels – Hilton Head, SC
• Sam Davidson, Cool People Care – Nashville, TN
• Timothy Ericson, CityRyde – Philadelphia, PA
• Gustavo Hernando, Da Foodie – Winter Park, FL
• Timothy Laurent, Ecycler – Lake Forest, IL
• Bill McCleskey, Soul Lounge USA – Nashville, TN
• Stacy Rosenthal, Momma's Jewels - Cheshire, CT
• Brian Searl, Insider Perks – Avon, OH
• Shayna Walker, Williamsburg Wedding Design – Williamsburg, VA

Learn more about our small business finalists at www.fairfieldchallenge.com.

The ten finalists were selected by a panel of judges comprised of four influential small business bloggers including John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing, www.ducttapemarketing.com, Nicole Marie Richardson of Inc.com, www.inc.com/author/nicole-marie-richardson, Maisha Walker of Inc.com and Message Medium, www.messagemedium.com, and Drea Knufken of Business Pundit www.businesspundit.com, as well as Shruti Gandhi Buckley, vice president, Global Brand Management, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, www.fairfieldinn.com.

In addition to contestant blog posts and tweets, website visitors can also participate in regular work-life polls. This week's poll asks: Which drink best describes your work style? Green tea, double shot of espresso, cosmopolitan, shaken martini, diet soda, or a shot of whisky. Visit www.fairfieldchallenge.com now to vote in this week's poll.

With more than 650 properties throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, guests can rely on Fairfield Inn & Suites to deliver outstanding service so travel is easy, comfortable and productive, wherever their travel may take them. In addition to complimentary hot breakfast and thoughtfully designed guest rooms, Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels offer free high-speed internet access in all guest rooms and free Wi-Fi in public spaces, comfortable beds, on-site business centers and fitness centers. Fairfield Inn & Suites participates in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards^® frequent guest program.  Members earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage for dollars spent at nearly 3,000 Marriott hotels worldwide. For more information or reservations, visit the web site at www.fairfieldinn.com or call the Fairfield Inn toll-free number at 800-228-2800.  

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.