women only? oh well, maybe my wife can apply. regardless, it's good to see yahoo helping out the small businesses out there. btw - your site looks good. this is a new blog right? cool.

I am watching your spot on NBC right this instant. I want to help! I am interested in helping others develop their ideas, too. Product development is my area of specialty. It includes:sketching, computer renderings, graphics, packaging, materials & processes selection, etc. As a recent graduate, I am just looking to get build a client list and to gain a little experience. I love this idea! Linsey.

I have such respect for Carolyn she is such a smart business woman! I am so excited to submitt my application. I have had this idea since last year and this opportunity is exactly what I have been waiting for!

Women in business have needed a site like yours. It's about time someone did it! You are truly filling a niche! There are some great tv shows that tell wonderful success stories but not one that has done a very good job of telling their audience "how they did it". They make it sound simple as if someone made it overnight. It simply doesn't work like that unless you hit the lottery! It takes tenacity and patience (which I don't have a lot of!) and an attitude, "This will happen - no matter what!" You have to be non-stoppable. I am confident my product line will be the answer to a lot of prayers. Having your own business is the American dream and my product line will help small businesses achieve their goals in branding themselves successfully.

I applied for the grant a few days ago and am excited about the possibilities it would open to not only my business adventures but for the community I love! I have the desire to encourage local growers to continue producing food for the community and teaching people how to cook their produce and enjoy eating again! We have a wealth of knowledge that needs to be taught to at least two generations of farmers to keep the farmers markets thriving in our community.My goal, if I am chosen would be to establish my own state approved kitchen to encourage use of local produce and to bring fresh food ideas to our local farmers market. Thank you for this opportunity! This is what I have been looking for!

Dorinne, How will you visualize your idea for the competition proposal?

Good question Linsey!The market itself provides many opportunities for visualization. The most important feature is sense of community and belonging. You form very strong bonds with such a magnificent group of people that you feel compelled to give your very best, to encourage them to keep doing what they love, to share their knowledge with our younger generations. Knowing that this precious way if life is becoming extinct is not something I can allow. The need for people to care for their basic needs is so vital that we have to do something,education and leading by example cannot be overlooked. That's why this is so important to me. The need to build strong families is a challenge I take seriously. Keeping families together, working together is so magnificent it's a reward money cannot buy. I hope I answered your question?

Thank you Viviana for your comment. I will look up that article in Gourmet magazine. Most of our vendors are organic growers, we even have organic eggs! My sister owns a 5 acre farm, this year I am taking over a small section to grow produce for the market. It is so nice to get outside and feel the sunshine and smell fresh air! We have some local restaurants that feature our vendors produce. The tourists love it especially if they know they can buy the produce at the market. There is so much to offer in this endeavor, sometimes I have to stay focused! I love cooking the produce I have available at the winter market, I really look forward to summer when all the lovely berries and vegetables are ripe. Yum! Thanks for your time, I appreciate it.

I am proud of what FWM stands for. Times are gradually shifting from a male dominated "nose to the grindstone" business mentality. More and more of the public are sinking their interests, time and money into businesses, causes and concepts they believe in. The next generation of business is not so much about "lining your pockets" as it is about contributing to the benefit of the whole. Many young minds are eager to break down the old system and create a new, more functional interdependent network of businesses. It's not about dominance anymore, but rather using your talent as an individual to enhance the greater good of our global community. Kudos!!!

It appears from many of the comments on the various blogs, that women put their lives on hold to raise their families. What is more noble? Ladies we are raising the next generations of business owners. We can shape the future of businesses to come. I enjoyed the time I spent with my children, we worked well together, so I created businesses that we could do together. They are that young generation Tharwat described.They are excellent at what they do. I am proud of the time I invested in my children. All of us should be proud of our contributions to future!