NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award

Wells Fargo and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) want to recognize the extraordinary talent, drive and innovation of women business owners across the country. In 2002, we launched the NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award to celebrate the enormous role women entrepreneurs play in driving the American economy.

We are looking for women business owners who have built successful businesses with unique products, services or delivery channels and are serving as role models for others to follow. Tell us how your business reflects your vision and commitment to building an organization that makes a difference in your community.

Three outstanding women-owned businesses will be recognized for their trailblazing spirit as demonstrated by their companies’ business performance, innovation, growth and contribution to the community. Each winning business will receive a cash grant of $5,000, gain nationwide recognition, and be honored at the NAWBO Women’s Business Conference 2010 in Washington, D.C.

Qualifications
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a woman who owns at least 51% and is an active principal of the business
• Own the business for at least three (3) years
• Be a legal resident of the United States or its territories
• Be in compliance with all applicable laws/regulations

Nominations will open for the 2011 award in the coming months.
TWO WAYS TO APPLY:

Apply ONLINE
1. You will need to login with your username and password or first create a NAWBO profile
2. Complete and submit the award application by February 19, 2010
3. Answer all required questions
4. Upload references and supporting documents

Download Applicatoin and Apply by Mail
1. Complete and mail-in the signed application form.
2. Answer all six (6) evaluation criteria questions within three (3) typed pages
3. Include a brief biography of yourself (limit 1-2 paragraphs).
4. Prepare four (4) complete copies of all materials submitted.
5. Submit all application materials postmarked by February 19, 2010 to:

NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award
Wells Fargo MAC# A0103-220
P.O. Box 7402 San Francisco, CA 94120

Nominations Process
A committee of NAWBO and Wells Fargo leadership will review award applications.

Three winners will be notified in April 2010.

Upon notification, winners will be required to complete and sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Publicity Release.

Winners will also be required to provide a digital color photograph for promotional purposes. Photo must be of professional quality; a JPEG version is preferred.

The winning prize is not transferable. Federal, state and local taxes, and any unspecified expenses related to the acceptance and use of the prize, are the responsibility of the winner.

Each winning business will receive a cash grant of $5,000, gain nationwide recognition, and be honored at the NAWBO Women’s Business Conference, June 2010, in Washington, D.C. Presence of the winners is strongly encouraged.

Travel, lodging and expenses are the sole responsibility of the winners. For more information about the NAWBO Women's Business Conference, CLICK HERE.

Disclosure and Agreement
Applications become the property of NAWBO and Wells Fargo and will not be returned. Each application will be verified for accuracy of information. The information contained in the application, in whole or in part, may be used by Wells Fargo or NAWBO for media informational purposes; however, all financial information will be held strictly confidential. The applicant authorizes NAWBO and Wells Fargo to use the awardee’s pictures, likeness, name and all other information set forth in the application and personal interviews in articles and third-party publications (such as magazines, newspapers and electronic media), and for advertising or promotional purposes. All financial information will be specifically excluded from publication.

The applicant also authorizes each of NAWBO and Wells Fargo by itself and through third parties to conduct background checks on the applicant business and its owner(s), including but not limited to a review of public records, credit bureau reports, and the results of personal investigations. NAWBO and Wells Fargo reserve the right in their sole discretion to make the final determination of the acceptability of each applicant and nominee.

By participating, entrants agree to: a.) the award rules and the decisions of the judges and of Wells Fargo, which shall be final in all respects; b.) to release, discharge and hold harmless NAWBO, Wells Fargo & Company, their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors and employees from any liability, claims or damages arising out of their participation in the contest and the acceptance, use, misuse or possession of any prize; and c.) that any electronic transmission, facsimile or other electronic reproduction of this application bearing applicant’s signature shall be deemed an original and enforceable according to its terms.

NAWBO and Wells Fargo are not responsible for printing of typographical errors in any award-related materials or for stolen, lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete or illegible entries. NAWBO and Wells Fargo reserve the right to cancel or modify the contest if fraud or technical failures compromise the integrity of the contest as determined by NAWBO and Wells Fargo in their sole discretion.

Contact Us
For questions or additional information, please contact Wells Fargo Women’s Business Services at wbs@wellsfargo.com.