Contest FAQ
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Handy Ande Blog
1. Why are you running this contest?
I've
recently returned to Erie from Ontario, Canada where my
homeowner association forced me to close down my (web site)
which I ran from the condo I owned. I returned to the
United States to start over where women are allowed to own
businesses. So, I'm holding an essay contest to show people
what I can do.
2.
What inspired you to create a contest like
this?
Two
things. One was a
newspaper clipping I kept from about 15 years
ago. A handyman couldn't get enough work in his area and
decided to raffle his services for $2 a ticket. If he sold
10,000 "tickets" he would relocate to the winner's home
town and work for a year. I loved the idea but a raffle
isn't legal in many states. Making it a
skill-testing essay contest with
no losers and no entry fee - may
encourage more people to enter.
The other inspiration was
a book I read in 1992-93.
Positively Outrageous Service by T. Scott Gross is all
about serving outrageously and creating unexpected,
out-of-proportion, involving experiences. I've been living
the author's philosophy for the past 16-17 years. If you
want to understand why I created this contest....
read Scott's book. (I don't get a penny
for recommending his book.)
3.
Don't you feel embarrassed hiring yourself out and taking
money for it?
Good heavens! Why would I be embarrassed for wanting to
work and pay my bills? It's the honorable and right thing
to do. I will do whatever it takes to earn an income while
I'm still active and vital. I feel good that I have useful
expertise and skills and am still healthy and strong enough
to be able to work and don't have to depend on government
assistance. I live to work.
4. When will you choose the first winner?
Possibly as soon as May 30. It all depends on if I receive
valid entries from the public.
5.
How will you choose the winner?
All you have to do is
convince me that I should come work for you for two hours.
I'm more interested in knowing what interesting needs
people have and why I would enjoy working for them for
free. I also want to know about the people for whom I will
be working. I want to do some good and it doesn't matter if
the winner is wealthy or broke.
6.
Could I enter your contest on behalf of someone else?
Yes, so long as the
recipient will not be insulted or annoyed, I think that
would be a terrific idea. I'm all for kind acts.
7.
Could I enter on behalf of several people?
Do you
mean as a family? Sure. And if you mean you want to enter
multiple times on behalf of multiple people that is fine
too. You can enter as many times as you wish, and every
week if you wish. But please make the entries different
(not duplicate).
8. Do I have to list 5 services on my contest entry wish
list?
You can
list as few as 5 services... and as many as 50. I ask for 5
minimum because one service may not take a full two hours
and you'll want me to work the full 2 hours.
9.
How will we know how many entries have been
received?
You
won't. Some entries may not be valid. On some entries the
contact info and other important info may be missing; that
would make them invalid. So please be careful that
your entries are complete. Take your
time.
10.
What kinds of people do you think would want your
services?
Among
many: grandparents, single moms, college students,
churches, schools, practitioners, small businesses and
small business owners.
11. Would you have to come into our home? We don't like
strangers coming into our home.
If
you're not comfortable having me in your home, I could
possibly work outside if the weather is pleasant. Perhaps
you would permit me to work in your yard or your garage. I
keep a canopy and a screen gazebo in my van that I can
easily erect for shade or shelter from rain. And inside the
van I can have a desk, a computer, printer, copier, and a
cell phone, where I can handle paperwork and make calls on
your behalf. But... if you're concerned about my character,
I am bondable and insurable.
12.
How does it feel, knowing some people won't want you in
their home?
It's
foreign to me. When I owned a bed and breakfast I not only
opened my home to strangers, but trusted them with a key,
fed them, and made them feel welcome during their entire
stay. Now, I'm potentially providing someone with $60 worth
of my professional services without financial investment.
My aim is to help people in their personal or business
lives. I'd be curious to know why people would not want me
to enter their home. They would be welcome in mine.
13.
Would you choose a winner who was
homeless?
Of course! Why not? I understand the challenges and I know
how to find solutions.
14. What will you be doing during the time you are not
working for a winner?
I'll be working on other
projects. I have books to write, money to retrieve for my
clients, and if anyone wants to hire me for a few hours
I'll gladly accept payment. (smile)
15.
Where do I find all of the services I can choose
from?
Look on
the services page or the
100 tasks page.
16.
Doesn't anyone want you to work for
them?
They do
want to me to
work for them but many have no money available to pay me
without sacrificing a necessity. This way, I get to choose
who I work for for free, and they people who win, win
because they made an effort to impress or interest me.
17.
When will you end the essay contest?
Most likely at the end of 2009. (Dec. 26,
2009).
I'll post more questions and my answers as they come
in. Ask away.
Andrea
Reynolds
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Handy Ande Blog | Winners
May 19, 2009
