In an economic landscape often dominated by corporate giants and expansive retail chains, the unique spirit, innovation, and vital contributions of small businesses are more important than ever. These dedicated entrepreneurs form the very backbone of our communities, driving local economies, fostering job creation, and bringing a diverse range of products and services to market. Recognizing this immense value and the challenges small businesses face, OpenSky, a pioneering social network designed to connect discerning consumers with exceptional products from independent businesses, proudly introduces its landmark initiative: The Small Business Breakthrough.

Launched at the start of May, a month universally celebrated as National Small Business Month, this national movement is more than just a campaign. It’s a concerted effort to shine a much-deserved spotlight on the ingenuity, resilience, and passion of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the United States. OpenSky, in collaboration with a powerful coalition of industry-leading partners, is uniting to champion these enterprises, helping them navigate market complexities and achieve significant, sustainable growth.

The OpenSky Vision: Empowering Small Businesses to Flourish

OpenSky was founded on a remarkably simple yet profoundly impactful premise: to create a vibrant digital community where shoppers could effortlessly discover unique, high-quality products directly from the passionate creators and independent businesses behind them. It transcends the traditional marketplace model; it’s a dynamic social network meticulously designed to bridge the gap between discerning consumers and dedicated entrepreneurs. By offering a platform that emphasizes authentic storytelling, seamless product discovery, and direct engagement, OpenSky effectively empowers small businesses to expand their reach, cultivate loyal customer bases, and compete effectively in an increasingly competitive global market.

The enduring significance of small businesses cannot be overstated. They are not merely vendors; they are crucial engines of economic growth, vital sources of job creation, and cornerstones of local identity. They infuse the marketplace with fresh ideas, deliver highly personalized services, and often uphold a deeper commitment to unparalleled craftsmanship and bespoke quality that larger, more standardized entities frequently struggle to replicate. However, the entrepreneurial journey for a small business owner is frequently fraught with formidable obstacles, ranging from constrained marketing budgets to fierce competition from established brands. This challenging environment is precisely where strategic initiatives like The Small Business Breakthrough become unequivocally invaluable, providing a lifeline of support and visibility.

Unveiling The Small Business Breakthrough: A National Call to Action

Commencing on May 1st, in a concerted and impactful effort to amplify the crucial voices of America’s small business owners, OpenSky, alongside its esteemed consortium of partners, proudly inaugurated The Small Business Breakthrough. This initiative is far more than a fleeting event; it represents a comprehensive, nationwide movement meticulously designed to actively celebrate, formally recognize, and strategically promote the incredible entrepreneurs who relentlessly fuel our nation’s economy and profoundly enrich our daily lives. Perfectly timed to coincide with National Small Business Month, this initiative serves as a powerful and timely reminder of the collective, transformative impact these diverse enterprises have on our society.

The Mission: Helping Small Businesses Break Through the Noise

In today’s hyper-connected and rapidly evolving digital world, small businesses face the monumental challenge of carving out a distinctive space and capturing attention amidst the overwhelming marketing prowess and vast financial resources commanded by big-box retailers and colossal global corporations. The incessant “noise” generated by these industry giants can often overpower and obscure the unique narratives, innovative products, and exceptional services passionately offered by smaller, independent ventures. The Small Business Breakthrough movement has been meticulously engineered to directly confront this disparity, providing essential tools, enhanced visibility, and robust community support to ensure these deserving businesses not only survive but are truly empowered to flourish and thrive.

The overarching goal is crystal clear: to inspire and encourage individuals everywhere to actively seek out, enthusiastically support, and ardently champion their favorite small businesses. By fostering a synergistic unity among consumers, strategic partners, and the businesses themselves, the movement aims to ignite a powerful ripple effect. This collective action empowers entrepreneurs to grow their operations, continuously innovate, and steadfastly contribute their unique and invaluable offerings to the marketplace, creating a more diverse and vibrant economic ecosystem.

The Breakthrough Award: Recognizing Excellence and Innovation

At the very core of The Small Business Breakthrough movement lies the prestigious Breakthrough Award. This esteemed accolade is meticulously designed to formally recognize and celebrate small businesses and pioneering entrepreneurs who exemplify outstanding innovation, unwavering dedication, and demonstrate a significant positive impact within their respective industries and the broader communities they serve. Whether it’s through the development of groundbreaking products, the delivery of exceptional customer service, the adoption of sustainable and ethical business practices, or through inspiring community engagement initiatives, the Breakthrough Award seeks to honor those who are truly making a tangible difference and setting new standards.

The award not only bestows well-deserved recognition upon these exemplary businesses but also provides an incredibly powerful platform for vastly increased visibility. This connection links winning businesses with new customer segments and invaluable strategic resources. It represents a unique opportunity for these enterprises to garner national attention and serve as an inspiration to others, thereby solidifying their rightful place as influential leaders within the dynamic small business landscape, and propelling them towards even greater future successes.

A Coalition of Support: OpenSky and Its Esteemed Partners

The formidable strength and profound impact of The Small Business Breakthrough initiative are deeply rooted in the collaborative spirit of its diverse and highly influential partners. OpenSky has meticulously forged alliances with a group of industry leaders, each contributing distinctive expertise and invaluable resources to the collective effort. This demonstrates a unified and shared commitment to fostering the success of small businesses across the nation. This robust partnership framework ensures that small businesses receive comprehensive support, spanning various critical facets essential for sustained entrepreneurial growth and resilience.

Key Partners and Their Contributions to Small Business Growth:

• Dotbox: As a leading digital agency, Dotbox contributes unparalleled expertise in strategic branding, cutting-edge web design, and comprehensive digital marketing strategies. They empower small businesses to craft compelling and effective online presences that deeply resonate with their target audience, ensuring maximum digital impact.
• Dwolla: Revolutionizing the landscape of payment processing, Dwolla offers innovative, highly cost-effective, and robustly secure payment solutions. Their offerings significantly simplify financial transactions for small businesses, simultaneously enhancing the overall customer experience through streamlined processes.
• Edison Nation: Dedicated to passionately fostering innovation, Edison Nation provides invaluable resources and guidance to inventors and entrepreneurs. They facilitate the intricate process of developing and commercializing groundbreaking ideas, effectively bringing innovative products to market.
• Goodsie: Empowering businesses to effortlessly create stunning and functional online stores, Goodsie offers intuitive e-commerce platforms. These platforms enable small retailers to substantially expand their market reach and sell their products efficiently and effectively online.
• Kabbage: A true pioneer in the realm of small business lending, Kabbage provides rapid, flexible access to vital working capital. This helps entrepreneurs efficiently manage cash flow, strategically invest in growth opportunities, and swiftly seize new market prospects.
• Mad Mimi: Streamlining the complexities of email marketing, Mad Mimi offers user-friendly tools specifically designed for creating highly engaging newsletters and impactful marketing campaigns. This allows small businesses to forge deeper connections with their customer base and cultivate enduring relationships.
• Martha Stewart American Made: This distinguished initiative passionately champions craftsmanship and uncompromising quality. Martha Stewart American Made celebrates American artisans and manufacturers, providing a powerful endorsement and a prestigious platform for meticulously handcrafted goods.
• On Deck Capital: Another absolutely vital resource for essential funding, On Deck Capital specializes in providing tailored small business loans. They offer accessible and flexible financing options crucial for supporting growth initiatives and covering diverse operational needs.
• Patch: With a keen focus on local community engagement, Patch effectively connects businesses with their immediate neighborhoods. This fosters robust local support and enhances visibility through hyper-local news and community-centric platforms, strengthening local economies.
• ShopKeep POS: Offering highly intuitive and comprehensive point-of-sale (POS) systems, ShopKeep empowers small retail businesses to efficiently manage sales, inventory, and crucial customer data. This dramatically streamlines operations and significantly improves overall profitability.
• Xero: Providing state-of-the-art cloud-based accounting software, Xero simplifies complex financial management for small businesses. It makes essential tasks like bookkeeping, invoicing, and detailed reporting remarkably straightforward and easily accessible, saving valuable time and resources.

The powerful synergy that exists among these diverse partners creates an unparalleled ecosystem of support. This ensures that small businesses receive comprehensive assistance across a wide spectrum of needs, ranging from critical financial solutions and strategic marketing guidance to advanced technology integration and impactful brand development. This collective, unified effort is undeniably instrumental in fostering a fertile and dynamic ground for sustained entrepreneurial success and innovation.

Join the Movement: Nominate, Share, and Vote for Small Businesses

The resounding success and broad impact of The Small Business Breakthrough movement are intrinsically linked to widespread community involvement. Every individual possesses a unique opportunity to play a significant role in championing the businesses they admire and believe in. Your active participation can create a tangible and profound difference, helping a deserving entrepreneur gain the recognition, visibility, and crucial momentum they need to truly succeed and flourish in today’s competitive market.

How to Nominate for a Breakthrough Award

Do you know a small business that genuinely embodies innovation, demonstrates exceptional resilience, and consistently delivers outstanding quality? Now is your unparalleled chance to bestow upon them the recognition they profoundly deserve! Simply visit www.SBBreakThrough.com and complete the short, user-friendly submission form. This is a simple yet incredibly powerful way to elevate a business you deeply believe in, potentially placing them on a coveted national stage for the prestigious Breakthrough Award and unlocking new opportunities.

Amplify the Message: Share on Social Media

Social media platforms are exceptionally potent tools for disseminating awareness and galvanizing support. After you’ve nominated a business, or simply to express your support for this vital movement, take a moment to inform your friends and followers about a business that truly deserves to break through and achieve significant growth. Make sure to utilize the official hashtag #SSBreakThru and tag @opensky in your posts. A seemingly simple share can introduce a fantastic, undiscovered business to hundreds, if not thousands, of new potential customers and passionate advocates, helping them effectively cut through the omnipresent digital clutter and gain much-needed visibility.

Cast Your Vote: Support Nominated Businesses

Beyond the crucial act of nominations, you can actively participate in the movement by casting your vote for businesses that have already been nominated. Navigate over to www.SBBreakThrough.com to browse the impressive roster of current nominees and confidently cast your vote for those you genuinely believe are most deserving of a Breakthrough Award. Furthermore, we strongly encourage you to inspire and motivate your network to do the same; collective voting significantly strengthens a business’s chances and substantially boosts their overall visibility within this empowering national movement.

Exclusive Giveaway: A Taste of Small Business Excellence

As a tangible testament to the incredible quality, diverse offerings, and meticulous craftsmanship found within the small business community, OpenSky is thrilled to host an exclusive and exciting giveaway. This is your exceptional opportunity to win a meticulously curated assortment of premium gourmet pantry products, each proudly sourced from outstanding small businesses championed by The Small Business Breakthrough movement. It represents a perfect chance to experience firsthand the profound dedication, unwavering passion, and superior quality that are painstakingly poured into crafting these unique culinary delights, right from the heart of independent creators.

What’s Inside the Gourmet Pantry Assortment?

The highly anticipated prize package, valued at approximately $130, is a truly delightful collection thoughtfully designed to elevate your kitchen’s capabilities and tantalize your palate. Each exquisite item represents the pinnacle of small-batch production and artisanal quality, promising an unforgettable gastronomic experience:

• Premium Olive Oil from Taste The Truth: Immerse yourself in the rich, complex, and nuanced flavors of a truly exceptional olive oil. Sourced with the utmost integrity and expertly crafted for unparalleled taste, this premium oil is perfectly suited for delicate drizzling, hearty dipping, and profoundly enhancing any culinary creation. It beautifully embodies health, superior flavor, and the dedicated passion of its producers.
• Heirloom BBQ Sauce from Pigtail Brands: Take a delicious journey back in time with a BBQ sauce that tells a captivating story with every savory bite. Meticulously made with cherished heirloom recipes and only the highest quality ingredients, this sauce delivers a remarkable depth of flavor that is simultaneously authentic and utterly unforgettable. It’s ideal for enhancing grilled meats, serving as a rich marinade, or simply as a delectable condiment.
• Heirloom Tomatoes from Balakian Farms: Savor the genuine, robust taste of sun-ripened heirloom tomatoes, cultivated with care and tradition. Renowned for their vibrant, diverse colors, unique and intriguing shapes, and intensely flavorful pulp, these tomatoes are a true gourmet delight. They are perfect for crafting fresh, vibrant salads, enriching homemade sauces, or simply enjoyed in their natural, exquisite state.
• Cocktail Sauces from Bathtub Gin: Elevate your home bar experience with a collection of sophisticated cocktail sauces expertly designed to inspire mixological creativity. These artisanal sauces inject a unique and exciting twist into your favorite beverages, bringing an unmistakable touch of craft, flair, and innovation to your home bartending endeavors.

Each carefully selected product in this exclusive giveaway serves as a powerful testament to the superior quality, innovative spirit, and profound passion consistently found within the vibrant small business community, collectively offering a genuine and memorable taste of excellence.

Your Chance to Win: Giveaway Entry Details

Are you eager to bring this fantastic collection of small business gourmet products into the comfort of your own home? Entering this exciting giveaway is both straightforward and incredibly quick. To participate, simply locate and accurately fill out the official entry form. This form will be prominently provided either directly below this section or within the designated giveaway section on our website. Please ensure all required fields are completely and accurately filled to ensure your entry is valid and fully qualifies for the draw.

Please take careful note that this exclusive giveaway is explicitly open only to legal residents of the United States. We warmly encourage all eligible participants who meet this criterion to promptly enter for their well-deserved chance to win this exciting and highly coveted assortment of premium small business goods!

Good Contest Karma: Beyond Just Entering

While diligently filling out the official entry form is your direct and essential path to winning this amazing gourmet giveaway, we also present wonderful, additional opportunities for you to actively spread goodwill and further lend invaluable support to The Small Business Breakthrough movement. These actions, while profoundly impactful, do not count as official entries for the giveaway itself, but they significantly contribute to the overarching cause and beautifully embody the spirit of “good contest karma”:

• Nominate a Business: Share your intimate knowledge of an outstanding small business that you believe deserves wider recognition for a prestigious Breakthrough Award. Visit www.SBBreakThrough.com and complete the concise submission form. This is a direct, impactful way to uplift and empower a deserving entrepreneur.
• Share Their Story: Leverage your powerful social media platforms to inform your friends, family, and followers about a particular business that you genuinely believe truly deserves to grow and succeed. Make sure to utilize the official hashtag #SSBreakThru and prominently tag @opensky in your posts. This ensures your compelling message reaches a broader audience and significantly contributes to the movement’s crucial visibility.
• Vote for Excellence: Actively support businesses that have already been thoughtfully nominated. By visiting www.SBBreakThrough.com, you can cast your invaluable vote for a deserving enterprise, significantly helping them receive a Breakthrough Award. Furthermore, encourage your friends and family to vote as well, thereby multiplying the positive impact of your collective support and magnifying their chances.

It is important to remember that these invaluable supportive actions are entirely separate from your official giveaway entry but represent crucial and invaluable contributions to the larger, transformative movement of passionately celebrating and proactively promoting small businesses across the nation.

Championing the Spirit of Entrepreneurship: A Final Word

The Small Business Breakthrough movement, powered by OpenSky and its dedicated and influential partners, is far more than a mere campaign; it stands as a profound testament to the enduring and resilient spirit of entrepreneurship that thrives throughout America. It serves as an open invitation to every individual to acknowledge, celebrate, and actively support the innovative minds and hardworking individuals who pour their entire passion, creativity, and tireless effort into meticulously crafting unique products and delivering exceptional services that enrich our daily lives and communities.

We earnestly urge you to join this vital national effort. Whether your contribution comes through nominating a truly deserving business for an award, eloquently sharing their compelling story on your social media platforms, casting your crucial vote for excellence, or simply by entering our exclusive and exciting gourmet giveaway, every single action you take contributes meaningfully to building a stronger, more vibrant, and immensely supportive small business community. Let us collectively help these incredible enterprises break through the pervasive noise, overcome challenges, and achieve the widespread recognition and profound success they truly deserve. Participate today and become an integral part of something genuinely impactful and transformative!