SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) May is National Small Business Month, an annual opportunity to support the hard work of small business owners. The backbone of the nation’s economy, small businesses employ 45.9% of the entire U.S. workforce and make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Unfortunately, some small businesses don’t have much in the way of resources, and often struggle to keep their doors open and their cash reserves in the black. Sometimes though, the difference between success and failure is capital, marketing and support. A reliable provider of essential small business services for more than 40 years, The UPS Store can help enable entrepreneurs to actualize their big ideas into success. It’s also the nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers, meaning that many local store operators are small business owners themselves. In honor of National Small Business Month, the brand is offering entrepreneurs these three tips:

1. Be top of mind: Maintain a dialogue with your community and customers. Regularly refresh your social media channels with new content, maintain an e-newsletter, and of course, don’t neglect traditional promotion. Save time by visiting a one-stop shop that can help you design, print and mail your marketing materials.

2. Protect yourself: Data theft is more common than ever as new threats emerge all the time. The Federal Trade Commission offers businesses free resources for improving their cybersecurity awareness. And when it’s time to dispose of physical documents, be sure to use a trusted solution. You can securely shred unneeded business documents at The UPS Store locations nationwide.

3. Get inspired: Need some inspiration? Look no further than the Small Biz Challenge. This three-phase competition from The UPS Store and Inc. Business Media is a search for the country’s most unstoppable small business owners. Among nearly 6,000 entrants, nine semifinalists were chosen, then paired with a mentor to guide them through the competition. Stemming from a wide variety of skill sets and backgrounds, the mentors include professional life coaches, brilliant business owners, podcast hosts, creative directors, and bestselling authors. During National Small Business Month, three of the semifinalists will be chosen to compete live in Miami, Florida for a share of the grand prize of up to $35,000 and a feature in “Inc.”

“Each year, this competition presents exhilarating and interactive ways to support and showcase small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the nation,” said Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store, Inc. “This year’s competition returns even bigger and better to help small business owners grow and hone their skill set and therefore find customized solutions to complex challenges.”

To learn more about the Small Biz Challenge competitors and to cast your vote for this year’s semifinalists, visit theupsstore.com/smallbizchallenge.

Being a small business owner within an ever-changing landscape can feel intimidating. But with support and local resources, entrepreneurs can turn their vision into a reality.

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