If you read, listen to, watch stories of people who have taken the plunge into the world of self-employment and running their own businesses you will come across some common themes. One of them would be that of the road to success not being an easy one. These people and their teams will have faced a range of challenges throughout their journey and some may even still be facing some of the challenges.

More often than not, seeking out a solution to a problem has meant seeking out and reaching out to individuals or businesses for help. This may mean signing up to and using various products and services or taking on people tackle certain tasks or as consultants. Integrating the right products, services and/or people into the business has for many lead them realising success.

Exactly what product or service is needed to help a business realise success will vary depending on each individual business’ needs. But, one business the makes self-employment easier is FreshBooks. Accounting is essential to business survival but a something that self-employed dread! That said, FreshBooks offers a cloud accounting solution that makes tasks such as invoicing, expenses, time tracking, getting paid and a whole lot more a lot easier (without having to be an accountant)!

The Reshape the World Challenge

FreshBooks recognises the fact that there are so many businesses out there that make a world of difference to the self-employed. That said, they have decided to do something about it and reward stand out businesses and individuals.

Last month, FreshBooks (sponsored by Fidelity Labs, an innovation unit that creates products and services to improve people’s financial lives) launched the Reshape the World Challenge.

They want to know about businesses out there that help the self-employed be more productive and successful at what they do. The following prizes are up for grabs:

• Three $10,000 cash prizes
• A fully paid trip to Raleigh-Durham, NC to meet with industry experts and show off your product
• Free promotion for your business
• 3 virtual workshops in branding, customer acquisition, user experience and more

The winners will be picked by a panel of judges that includes:

• Levi Cooperman, Co-Founder of FreshBooks
• Caitlin Pearce, Executive Director at Freelancers Union
• Kim Langway, VP Product Management at Fidelity Labs
• Stephanie Palmeri, Partner at Uncork Capital
• Natalie Sisson, Chief Freedomist at The Suitcase Entrepreneur
• Doug Speight, Executive Director at American Underground

The challenge closes on Friday, May 25th, 2018 with the winners being announced on Friday, June 8th, 2018.

If your business fits the bill or if you know of a business that should stand a chance to be rewarded, visit the Reshape the World Challenge page and submit your entry or pass the form along.