Sarah Petty's Joy Blog

This weekend we celebrate Mother's Day here in the U.S. Like many of you, I've been fortunate to have learned from, felt the support of and been loved by several extraordinary mothers, including my own.

So we want to celebrate the mothers who are making a difference for you, as a small business owner.

We're choosing 3 mothers to this Mother's Day to send a HUGE bunch of flowers - from YOU.

If you want us to send the mom in your life a gift from you, just tell us below (in a few sentences or so) how the mom you're nomitating has supported your small business dreams or just made you the person you are today.

Be sure to create an account on our site, or login so you show up as you and not anonymous and therefore we know who you are if you're chosen as the winner!

We'll choose our favorite 3 stories at 2pm CST on Friday, May 11, 2012 and post them here on our blog as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

And to all the moms out there supporting our JoyFriends, we thank you for:

Your selflessness - even when you know your kids may make fun of you for what you've given up (you have more important things to do than shop for the hippest clothes).

Your unconditional and sometimes tough love - yes we see the disapproving looks, but we know you love us deep down.

Your ability to give us boundaries while still letting us make our own choices (and make our own mistakes).

Your perspective - even if we don't agree and don't want to hear it.

Your strength to guide us with confidence - despite not being 100% sure of the outcome.

And for a little inspiration today, no one says thank you to moms better than Sarah Kay performing her poem, B, from the Ted conference.