When I started this blog more than 3 years ago,never in a million years could I have dreamed it would become what it is today. My passion for helping others save has turned into a full fledged business.

While there was little overhead, that has changed with the addition of team members who help me keep things running. With them on board, I am able to create more useful content and campaigns that can help you in different ways.

In expanding the site to cover the Cincinnati Deals and Dayton Deals markets (and plans to move into other cities), I have a greater respect for the local business owners that I make contact with. Knowing what I have personally gone through with many long nights and little sleep, I know they are facing the same things.

Running a business takes a lot of passion and usually a lot of funds. That moola has to come from somewhere, especially if you are a new startup. I have enormous respect for local businesses and value the partnerships we have developed. We may have a different business model, but have one commonality: our commitment to excellence and providing our customers a superior product or experience.

I became aware of the Intuit Love a Local Business competition several months ago (April 28 to be exact). Perhaps you saw my plea on Facebook requesting a vote for MY business nomination, which of course is Savings Lifestyle (or AD Media, LLC on the nomination form).

I didn't pursue the voting any further, but had plans (and still do) for improving the site with development and enhancements that will increase your user experience. Those plans take money so I get the challenges that small business owners face. I'm one of 'em just planning for the future.

Intuit is helping small businesses achieve their dreams by awarding $25,000 each month to a local business! Note: votes are like raffle tickets. The more votes a business has the more chances they have to win. Nominations are being accepted, and you can nominate yourself on the Intuit Love a Local Business Nomination page (I did - no shame!).

I've learned a lot as a business owner. I have a passion to help other business owners learn more as well. Have you wanted to start a business? Leave me a comment and share what dream business you would start. Your comment enters you for a chance to win an iPad 2!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Intuit’s Love A Local Business competition. The opinions and text are all mine. Contest runs July 6 to August 9, 2011. A random winner will be announced by August 11, 2011. Official Contest Rules