It’s The 3rd Annual When I Grow Up Scholarship! (Cheers & Jubilation)
In honor of my 1st anniversary as a Woman of the World (aka a Full-Time (no day job!) Entrepreneur) – which is tomorrow! – I decided to push up the date of the 3rd Annual When I Grow Up Scholarship and start takin’ applications now! And the crowd goes wild! So if you want your chance to win 12 private 45-min phone sessions for $0 (instead of, oh, $1516), keep reading.
To enter, fill out my Scholarship Survey, which contains 5 juicy questions & some other lil’/easy ones. I’ve realized, though, that this format gives an unfair advantage to those that enjoy writing and/or consider it their strong point. So this year, I’m lettin’ ya run wild. While I need everyone to fill out the survey, there’s a line in there to put a url into, should you choose to talk to me via video or photograph your answers via Flickr. Don’t put major pressure on yourself – the winner ain’t necessarily gonna be the most creative – but know it’s an option so you can play to your strengths! Hope that’s helpful for some of you.
Want an insider tip? OK, but don’t tell the lady who picks the winner that I’m givin’ ya tips to help ya cheat! Oh wait, I am the lady who picks the winner. Huh. OK, so it’s not really cheating, if that helps your conscience. Here it be: Err or the side of more is more. Give me as much background as you can on who you are, why you’re awesome (seriously, don’t be shy – I’m not gonna wanna work with ya if I don’t think you’re awesome), why you need my help, and whatever other juicy questions I ask on the Scholarship Survey. I’ve never picked a scholarship winner – or came close to picking one – that wrote less than 2 pages when I printed out the survey, and there’s a reason for that. So gimme all you got – I promise to keep it confidential and safe.
If you’re saying, “She’ll never pick me – it’s so not worthwhile”, think again! Last year I personally responded to every single contestant with feedback on their survey and an offer to join a super low cost group coaching session based on their goal, as well as giving them a discount on my services for the future. While I’m not sure what I’m gonna be able to offer this year – I’m going with the whole “Let it come organically” vibe once I see what you guys put out there – I can guarantee you it’s gonna be totally amazeballs. I promise it’ll be worthwhile no matter what. Pinky swear promise. That’s a serious promise.
I’ll be closing the Scholarship Survey at 11:59p Eastern on Friday, April 1st & announcing the winner on Wednesday, April 6th via The Interwebs (blog, twitter, Facebook, newsletter, skywriting). So hop to it, kids. It’s never (ever ever ever ever ever EVER) too late to discover what you wanna be when you grow up. I’m here to help.
UPDATE: I’ve been getting eligibility questions, and the answer is a resounding YES! You can be outside the US, we can Skype instead of talk on the phone, you can apply again even if you did last year….Basically, anyone that speaks English is eligible, as I can’t coach anyone that doesn’t speak English. Capesh? OK, that’s Italian, but that’s the entirety of other languages I know. Oh, and I know some Yiddish and “Me llamo Michelle.” Anything beyond that and you’ve lost me.
March 18th, 2011 at 3:00 am
Yay, Michelle! I'm going to pass this on to two lovely ladies who I think would benefit from it.
Good luck to everyone who enters!
March 18th, 2011 at 8:47 am
Sweet! Thanks for sending it along, Natasha!
March 20th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Michelle, just wondering whether people that applied last year (like me) can apply again this year?
Thanks!
March 21st, 2011 at 3:28 am
Of course, Jadyn! Everyone's eligible. Thanks for asking, though!
March 21st, 2011 at 7:22 am
Thanks for this opportunity! What a generous giveaway!
March 21st, 2011 at 8:13 am
Of course, M.E.! I'll keep my eyes open for your application to come through (hint hint nudge nudge)
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:11 am
[...] you might realize that you need more Michelle Ward in your life. If so, you should check out her 3rd Annual When I Grow Up Scholarship, where you could win 12 private 45-minute phone sessions with her. That’s a $1516 value. Um, [...]
March 23rd, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Business Advice for Farmers & Food Businesses That is Good for Every Small Business….
AKA “A Partial Recap of Family Farmed Expo’s First Day”
The events opened with a morning keynote speech from Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farms. He talked about how he got his start in organic dairy farming, specifically in yogurt, and where the mon…
March 24th, 2011 at 4:07 am
Michelle, when do the calls happen? I work an 8-5 job and my cell phone "free" nights don't start until 9pm (but my fiancé's start at around 7 pm EST). I'm really interested, but want to make sure I can get the calls before I put in for the scholarship.
March 24th, 2011 at 4:16 am
Thanks for the question, Kelly! I coach M/Tu/Th from 10a-9p Eastern, Friday from 10a-4p Eastern and Sundays from 7-9p Eastern, so anything in those windows might work well. We can do Sun nights, or else you might have to steal your fiance's phone for a few weeks
March 24th, 2011 at 4:33 am
Thanks Michelle!
I think I can sweet talk him into letting me use his phone, since he is one of my biggest supporters of my creative dream (actually more like tied with my parents).
March 24th, 2011 at 4:48 am
Aw….he sounds like a keeper!
March 27th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
Yay!!! What a great idea! Pick me, pick me, pick me!!! I really have no clue of what I'll be when I grow up! Help….!
March 28th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
[...] Why the scholarship? Because it’s amazeballs! I started it in 2009, when I was still in my cube, as a way to “give back” and give coaching to someone who couldn’t afford it otherwise. That’s still why I do it – that hasn’t changed. I had 27 people apply that year, which made me super happy. Then, in 2010, I did it about 2 months after I left my job, and I had 154 people apply. I was just floored. Floored! I responded to each entry personally and gave ‘em a coaching-type exercise to help them clarify what would be a good first step for them – whatever they were working out personally – and then offered everyone a low-cost group session to be a part of – $29/session as opposed to the $79 or $99 I was charging at the time. This year, I have about 40 entries so far and I’ve only been accepting entries for a few days. I’m a little scared at what the numbers will be – and how tough the decision’s gonna be! Geez Louise Louise! – and I’m not sure yet what I’ll be able to offer everyone, but I’m gonna see where it takes me and how I can help everyone who applies. It really is about giving back, about making coaching with me more accessible and affordable, and offering that One Person something they couldn’t do otherwise. What are you looking for when you decide the winner? Honestly, I’m looking for someone I’d really love to work with – that I can tell through the application is ready and willing and able to get to work, and would also be someone I know I’d click with on a personal level. I won’t lie – a sense of humor works well, as does really writing loads in the 5 questions I ask in the application. I never ever ever have picked – or have come close to picking – someone whose application is less than 2 pages when I print it out. It’s hard for me to get the story, the personality, the amazeballsness of that person through just a few sentences. How should people apply? Fill out this lil’ survey with your answers before 11:59p on Fri, April 1. And if ya want more details, you can find ‘em here. [...]
March 29th, 2011 at 7:33 am
Thanks for applying, Dimi! No promises, but I can say that it's gonna be a super ridiculously tough decision. I'm already agonizing & the applications are still coming in. Oy vey!
March 29th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway! So awesome!
Melissa
March 30th, 2011 at 1:01 am
Whoa! A friend re-tweeter this and I'm totally going to complete your survey!
First, I'm going to sleep cos it's late and then I shall wake up and get to work nice and early and complete the survey
as you can see from my blog, I tend to write lots and lots, so be prepared for an essay-and-a-half!
More when I'm not tired and rambly!
March 30th, 2011 at 2:48 am
Thanks for the reminder! I need to get my act together and fill out the survey.
xo
March 30th, 2011 at 3:15 am
I completed the survey! Thanks for such a great offer! I really hope I win. really really really hope I win.
March 30th, 2011 at 3:20 am
@Melissa – You're most welcome!
@Laneth – Looking forward to reading your "book"
@Jessie – Yes ya do, silly bird! Will keep my eyes open for it.
@Jacqueline – Yay! So glad. And let me tell ya, it's gonna be the toughest decision *ever*! I love reading all the applications, but the decision-making's the worst part about it!
March 30th, 2011 at 8:35 am
What a generous gesture to offer this free scholarship to us.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:38 am
Your Scholarship offer expresses your committment to assisting others. Erica
March 30th, 2011 at 11:00 am
Aw, thanks Erica! I do what I can
March 30th, 2011 at 11:13 am
[...] looking for a creative career jump start? If so you have to apply for the When I Grow Up Scholarship where you could win 12 coaching sessions (valued at $1516) FREE! Having worked with Michelle for [...]
March 30th, 2011 at 11:31 am
Hey there! Elena here. A gigantic THANK YOU for offering this awesome workshop. (Keep fingers crossed!)
March 30th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
I'm I reading this right? OMGOSHHHHHHH! I'm sending my application in a flash! Waooooo Michelle you are really AMAZEBALLS!
March 31st, 2011 at 7:47 am
Done, and done! Thanks for the kick-in-the-butt reminder… I have had the form open for two days… hopefully, after a bit of your help– that will be an action of the past!
April 1st, 2011 at 6:01 am
love the idea… and I gave what I had time for
I am on the way to make ready an apartment at supportive housing for another family to get a chance at life change 
I'll keep my fingers crossed for everyone !
April 1st, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Happy dance! You will be reading my story in no time at all! Do you drink a cup of coffee while going over all the submissions? That is how I image it being…you can tell me the real version it won't burst my fantasy bubble to much. Thank you for the process it was a blast!