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Small Businesses Compete for $10K in Largest Cornhole Tournament in NYC History

BUSINESSWIRE – Network Solutions, the leading provider of Web-based solutions for small businesses, held the Network Solutions 2006 Small Business Challenge in Battery Park in downtown Manhattan earlier today. Despite the rain, 24 small businesses participated in the largest Cornhole (commonly referred to in the Northeast as a “beanbag toss”) tournament ever held in New York City for a chance to win a cash prize and a customized ecommerce Web site package, provided by Network Solutions. Participants ranged from an upscale beauty salon to an individual entrepreneur who has only been in business for 13 months.

Tommy John, retired New York Yankee pitcher, and entrepreneur Josh Shaw, Founder and COO of GoSMILE, one of the fastest growing cosmetic lines in the country, joined Robert Walsh, New York Commissioner of Small Business Services, and Champ Mitchell, chairman and CEO of Network Solutions, to toss the ceremonial first “pitch” and to encourage the revitalization of small businesses in downtown Manhattan.

“Network Solutions is dedicated to helping small businesses start and grow their business online by offering a full suite of products and services, including Network Solutions’ Ecommerce Standard and Ecommerce Pro packages that are affordable and easy-to-use,” said Mitchell. “We were thrilled to host the first-ever Network Solutions Small Business Challenge to give hardworking entrepreneurs a chance to win a little money to take their business farther.”

Eric Foster and Charles DeVeaux, Co-owners and Partners of Paradox Communications Marketing, a new media design and marketing communications company, were awarded the cash prize of $10,000 and a Network Solutions e-commerce Web site package valued at nearly $10,000. Foster and DeVeaux plan to use the prize money to upgrade technology, support recruitment efforts to help grow their business and expand product and service offerings for their customers.

“The competition was intense, which I expected from hard working NYC small business people,” said Brian Roberts, American Cornhole Association member ( www.playcornhole.org ) and Head Referee for the Network Solutions 2006 Small Business Challenge. “Although Cornhole originated in backyards and at tailgates in the Midwest, the game has been quickly growing in popularity nationwide.”

One Network Solutions’ small business customer that couldn’t be happier with this growing trend is Springfield, Ohio-based ORE Boards, Inc. ( www.OREBoards.com ), which builds and sells Cornhole boards and bags. When the company launched their Web site with Network Solutions earlier this year, they nearly doubled sales in less than a month. They also provided the boards and bags for the Network Solutions 2006 Small Business Challenge.

A Network Solutions e-commerce Web site package was also awarded to the following three finalists:

• Rob Grader and Stu Grader with The Cheap Bastard’s Guide
• Doc Martin and Jeff Milton with Tribeca Network
• Kim Ima and Duane Boutté with Treats Truck

For more information about rules and prize details for the Network Solutions 2006 Small Business Challenge, please visit: www.smbchallenge.com .