Dream of running your own business?
Special to The Monitor
OAK BROOK, Ill.–Ace Hardware will make dreams come true this year with the launch of its Dream AceSM contest.
The unique contest will give aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to compete to win his or her very own Ace Hardware store valued at $1 million.
Entries for the Dream Ace contest will be accepted throughout the month of January at www.dreamacehardware.com.
Successful contestants will demonstrate a combination of business and sales expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and home improvement knowledge, as well as a true commitment to helpfulness.
“Two qualities are at the heart of Ace Hardware and our store owners entrepreneurialism and helpfulness,” director of advertising and brand development at Ace Hardware Corp Paula Erickson said.
“Through the Dream Ace contest, one qualified and talented contestant will be judged the winner and will have the opportunity to join our Ace family of entrepreneurs, and, with our help, build a successful future,” she added.
What’s in store for your future?
The selection process for the Dream Ace contest begins with an online entry form, including an entrepreneurial-suitability test and three essay questions, which will be reviewed by third-party judges to identify the top contestant from each state.
Contest entries will be accepted from Jan. 1 through 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) Jan. 31.
Throughout February, the 50 state finalist contestants will be narrowed down through a series of contest-related interviews, presentations and other skill-based tests taking place in New York City and Chicago.
All contest activities will be judged by qualified Ace retailers or independent third parties and the Dream Ace Grand PrizeWinner will be selected by vote of all Ace retailers present at the Ace Hardware convention in Las Vegas March 15.
The culmination of the Dream Ace contest is the grand opening, June 30 and July 1, of the winner’s store, which will be located in Houston or an alternate location at Ace’s discretion.
The store prize is valued at approximately $1 million, and includes opening stock inventory, fixtures, décor, and technology.
Additionally, the winner and his/her staff will receive extensive training and support from Ace similar to the assistance the cooperative provides its new investors.
On the Road to Success
Beginning Jan. 4, a team of Dream Ace ambassadors will travel across the country promoting the entrepreneurial spirit of Ace Hardware and the Dream Ace contest. Bill Rancic, celebrity entrepreneur and season one winner of “The Apprentice,” and Lou Manfredini, national home improvement expert, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and an Ace store owner, will cross the country in two 45-foot buses dubbed the “Dream Ace Machines.”
The Dream Ace Tour will make stops at Ace Hardware stores in 40 cities, offering giveaways and a chance to meet Rancic and Manfredini.
“Because I started my own company and grew it from the ground up, I understand the challenges and excitement of being an entrepreneur. I’m excited to be part of a contest that will give one entrepreneur the chance to fulfill his or her dream of owning and managing their own business,” Rancic said.
For more information on the Dream Ace contest, official contest rules (including winner’s significant ongoing store ownership, management and other financial obligations) or to enter the contest, visit www.dreamacehardware.com.
About Ace Hardware
Throughout its 80-year history, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store by both customers and communities.
With 4,600 hardware, home center and building materials stores that generate annual retail sales of more than $13 billion, Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry.
Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace currently operates 14 distribution centers in the U.S. and its retailers’ stores are located in all 50 states and 70 countries. More information about Ace can be found at www.acehardware.com.

Help available for puppy behavior
Special to The Monitor
GUN BARREL CITY–Animal shelter statistics show the majority of pets relinquished by owners come as the result of basic behavior problems. Most problems are easily fixed with some coaching from experts.
Area puppy owners can receive that expert assistance through a pair of behavior workshops (without dogs), to be held from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 and 20 presented by Joan Guertin of Common Sense Dog Training and sponsored by The Friends of the Animals Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic in Gun Barrel City.
The 90 minute sessions will be open to new puppy and dog owners by reservation by calling April’s Pet Place at (903) 432 3642.
A portion of the $25 workshop fee will go to the sponsoring organization.
Handouts will be available for each subject discussed and phone consultations will be available for those attendees needing additional help.
Included in the workshop will be professsional advice on house training, jumping, biting or mouth games, plus some basic information on normal puppy behavior and demonstrations on how to achieve some basic puppy obedience.
Reserve your space today.