Q. How will the winner be chosen?

A. The 10 mom entrepreneurs who received the most overall votes submitted by visitors to the contest site by September 12, 2011 will be declared the top 10 finalists. From them, our panels of judges will choose the national winner of the 2011 SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award based on a set of criteria including track record of success, innovation of business idea, and impact on community.

Q. When will you be announcing the overall winner?

A. We expect to announce the winner in mid-October 2011.

Q. How do I get nominated for the award?

A. Nominate yourself! Don't be shy. Just fill out the form at www.momentrepreneuraward.ca – it only takes a few minutes.

Q. If I nominate myself, will I automatically be entered into the award program?

A. Yes, as long as your application meets the criteria established by our advisory panel. Each nomination will be reviewed to ensure that it meets the eligibility criteria and within 72 business hours of submitting your nomination, you will be notified. If you have, your profile will be posted on the contest site and you may begin encouraging your network of supporters to begin voting for you.

Q. Can I nominate my company even though I have a male business partner?

A. As long as you are the founder of the business, own or control the majority of the voting shares, are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company, and, in the event the partnership were to dissolve, you would retain control of the company, you can nominate your business.

Q. I started my business with another mom entrepreneur. Should we both submit a nomination?

A. No, you should submit a joint nomination together under your business name. Since the name of the game is to get the most votes for your business (not you individually), submitting more than one nomination will only dilute your efforts in getting votes for your business.

Q. Can I vote multiple times for my favourite nominee?

A. Yes, you can vote up to once a day for any nominee. Votes are tracked by the voter's unique email address. Each vote you cast enters you in a draw for 16 great prizes from Mabel's Labels.

Q. Can I vote for more than one of these great mom entrepreneurs?

A. Yes, you can. You are welcome to show your support for as many nominees as you think are deserving of the award. So vote for as many as you like. (We know how hard it can be to choose!) And remember, you can vote once daily for every mom entrepreneur you are supporting – each vote you submit will enter you into a draw for amazing prizes from Mabel's Labels.

Q. When does the contest end?

A. The contest closes for reader voting on September 12, 2011. After this date, our panel of judges will choose the overall winner based on a predetermined set of criteria. Winners will be announced in October 2011.

Q. I have a question that is not answered here. How can I contact you?

A. Please email us at awardinquiries@savvymom.ca and we will get you the answer you need.