I am still in awe! I have always been one of those people who never won anything…but I am starting to think my luck has changed this year 😉
I found out abut the #ELEVATEbyFairfield competition on twitter, and as any other contest or competition…you naturally enter (can’t win if your name isnt in the hat) but you never think you will actually get picked. I answered all of the questions about my business, my hope and dreams for how I wanted to grow it, said a prayer and hit submit. I knew that thousands of women entrepreneurs would be entering so I did not think much of it after I submitted my application.
A few weeks later I got a email that I was a finalist! I was so shocked! So of course, I called my mom! To be selected as a top 20 Finalist was such a honor, as I knew that thousands of people had entered this thing. As soon as I got access to 3 months of workspace in numerous Fairfield Suites locations. I began to plot! I wanted to host events in as many locations as possible. Now this obviously was a little easier said than done, but I made it happen! I hosted 2 events and several meeting in NY, shot 24 videos for eHow and Demand Studios at the Fairfield Baltimore location (my absolute fav, check out their Lombard Loft) and I hosted over 30 meetings at the DC location amongst other things.
Once the contest was over, I was sad to lose access to all of these venues as most of them were out of my budget if it weren’t for the contest. Now it was time for them to pick a winner, as much as I hoped that I had won, I had already told myself that if I did not win it was fine, as I felt blessed just being a finalist and winning the 3 months of workspace.
Then I got the call. I was working from home that day, and I was cooking myself some lunch. As soon as the phone rang, my smoke detector starting going off (its really sensitive…I’m a great cook trust me). So naturally, I could not answer the phone with that loud beeping in the background. So I got the smoke detector to stop tripping, then I check my voicemails. I couldnt believe that it was the ELEVATE team….I was like they are either calling to tell me I lost or I won!
I called them back and the told me I was the ONE! I was so excited, I cried, called my mom and prayed to God and thanked him for such a awesome blessing!
I still cannot believe that I won this awesome prize and although I have been in business and have helped hundred of people with their finances, it’s still priceless to receive the affirmation and backing from a outstanding organization like Fairfield and Marriott that my business is worth supporting.
I am so excited for the future and all of the upcoming projects that Finances Demystified has in store thanks to this $5,000 grant from Fairfield Inn & Suites!
Blessed and Highly Favored,
Dominique
