Cross-Promotion Idea Explodes into $8,000 Bridal Giveaway

When Small Businesses Get Together, Big Things Happen

When small businesses work together, all of a sudden really big things happen.

That's exactly how the $8,000 Best Couple Ever contest came to be.

It all started with a post on Facebook. Billie Jo Grassinger, owner of A License to Cheat diet and health products, was looking for more ways to reach the bridal market, and she thought it would be cool to have a cross-promotion with another local business.

She posted on the LocalShops1 Bizmembers page, a private group on Facebook, asking if anyone wanted to brainstorm ways to work together.

Someone suggested a quickie Facebook contest to give away a couple prizes to one lucky bride.

But soon more and more people jumped in, offering to give prizes for the contest: a blanket to snuggle up with; a year's worth of hot sauces, to keep the marriage spicy; gift certificates for jewelry and makeup. The prize list kept growing: a custom-designed wedding gown and tux! Catering for the bridal shower AND rehearsal dinner!

Next time Billie Jo looked on Facebook, there were thousands of dollars worth of prizes being given away.

Fast-forward to now and 20 local businesses have banded together to organize an amazing community event, one in which more than $8,000 in prizes will be given away. Now 20 local businesses are working together, cross-promoting each other, showing us all that by working together, we all win.

Four finalist couples have been selected. One will be chosen at a special event 4:30 - 7 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at the Art Village Courtyard, 2908 Beach Blvd. in Gulfport. The guests will vote for the winner. Admission to the event is free. The event includes free chair massages, free appetizers courtesy of Yummy's and T and Me, and many surprises.

Participating businesses: 

• Absolutely Beautiful Flowers
• A License to Cheat
• Country Harvest Crafts Studios
• Funky White Boy- DJ Service
• Illuminated Publishing
• Industrial Arts Center
• Intensity Academy
• Island Flavors And Tings
• Kozy Kazual Wears
• Linda's Jewelry
• LocalShops1.com
• Makeup & Hair by Monique
• Mobile Day Spa Creations
• Stella and Dot Independent Stylist Shannon Gryde
• T and Me
• The House of Renee Originals
• Three Birds Tavern
• Your Fondant Memories
• Yummy's Restaurant