Small Business Camp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Create Your Own Job at the 16 Week Challenge for Entrepreneurs

New York, NY – Wednesday, October 20th – What’s the answer for a slow, jobless economic recovery? Bringing the power of job creation to the people through entrepreneurship is a key message of the 16 Week Challenge. The number of people unemployed for over a year jumped from 645,000 in 2007 to over 4.5 million, according to reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in October 2010.

These numbers do not even account for the number of underemployed. The 16 Week Challenge tackles the problem innovatively by empowering people to create their own jobs through entrepreneurship.

Andrew Morrison, international business coach, founder of Small Business Camp and The 16 Week Challenge, says “most people don’t understand that business start-ups accounted for most new jobs created in the U.S. for the last 15 years. It’s not government nor large companies that are the economic engine of the U.S.” Morrison also indicates that “people are under the impression that tough economic times are not the appropriate time to start or grow a business. That’s not so. Tough times are boom times for innovation and entrepreneurs.”

The 16 Week Challenge focuses on actions and solutions so entrepreneurs can gain momentum and reach key milestones for successful and profitable businesses in a short amount of time. Crystal Turner of CDT EHS Consulting shares “My safety products business made thousands of dollars during the last 16 Week Challenge. I can’t wait for the next one!”

The 16 Week Challenge(r) WebTV edition, which starts Monday, October 25 at 7pm EST, showcases ordinary people growing a for-profit or non-profit business idea within 16 weeks. You can view performances by musical artists and watch interviews with entrepreneurs and celebrities, streamed “live” over the Internet with a studio audience. Also edged with humor, the show uses comedy skits to look at the challenges entrepreneurs face – think “Saturday Night Live” meets “Suzie Orman”, “106th and Park” and “The Apprentice!” The best part is viewers can become members of a growing community supporting each other to succeed. In the 16 Week Challenge(r) social network, members can track their progress toward their goals and gain support from success-oriented individuals. Membership is free.

Several lucky entrepreneurs will be selected online and at the “live” taping to compete in a 60-second business pitch competition to win a $10,000 marketing make-over.

Winners of the business pitch competition will be chosen by a panel of celebrity judges. The panel includes Karen Hunter, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and co-author of New York Times Bestseller ‘Confessions of a Video Vixen’; Sabrina Lamb, media commentator, author of ‘A Kettle of Vultures’ and founder of Worldofmoney.org ; Ryan Mack, a financial advisor and public speaker who regularly appears on CNBC, CNN, and BET discussing economic issues; Dee Marshall, an international speaker, TV Lifestyle expert and business coach who has been featured on MSNBC, ABC, and in Black Enterprise; and Raqiyah Mays, writer, actress, and radio personality who performs in the AUDELCO award winning play ‘Platanos & Collard Greens’.

Lauri Elliott, the host of The Art of Making Business Happen radio show, says “This challenge is not about surviving but thriving in tough times. People will be amazed at what they can accomplish. Andrew is the ultimate coach, showing people the assets they didn’t even know they had.” Elliott adds, “Why wait for someone to offer you a job when you can create your own job now?”

The 16 Week Challenge(r) WebTV edition will run for 16 weeks at The Gates, located at 290 8th Avenue in New York and online, starting on Monday, October 25, 2010 at 7pm. You can view the program or register to attend the “live” taping at www.16WeekChallenge.com.

About Andrew Morrison
Andrew Morrison is founder of Small Business Camp – an entrepreneurial training, coaching and consulting firm. He is also the host and creator of The 16 Week Challenge television Show. Mr. Morrison has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show – “Young Millionaires” segment, and was featured in publications such as: The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine,The Network Journal, Crain’s Magazine “40 Under 40 Professionals,” and Advertising Age. The Direct Marketing Association awarded Mr. Morrison its prestigious Young Direct Marketer of the Year Award. In February of 2007, he trained 1,200 entrepreneurs in Nigeria, West Africa. Andrew recently completed his first book entitled, 21 Questions That Can Build Your Business in 90 Days.

For further information, contact:
Stephanie Shannon
Conceptualee, Inc.
+1.202.379.2922 x2
comm@conceptualee.com