Here at Our Time Designs, we refuse to give in to the media hype that the economy is in absolute dire straits. Because when we look around, we see businesses in our own Richmond and Tri-Cities community that are not only surviving—they’re thriving!

Sure, times are tough, but that just means there’s more opportunity for the people and businesses that are smart enough to look around and find new niches in the market—and new ways to make money.

We want to help our local community businesses do just that—find new profitability in this changing new economy. Because when businesses thrive, the community as a whole is stronger.



That’s why Our Time Designs, with its partners Loving Consulting, Lauren Methena (A Writer Who Knows How to Sell), and RSVP Reply Services, are launching the “Save a Local Business” Contest!

My partners and I collectively have over three decades of marketing expertise—and actual experience bringing businesses back from the brink of extinction. If your company could not only benefit from but deserves some serious marketing help—if you’re ready to grow your business and thrive, not just survive—then we want to hear from you!

To nominate your company or your favorite worthy business in the Richmond metro area (Richmond and surrounding areas that are within a 30-mile drive), fill out the form on this website and include the reason why you or they deserve to be saved. Entrants have until June 20th to make their submissions for consideration in the contest. Entrants must be local businesses that are licensed practitioners in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

On July 1, check back here at www.OurTimeDesigns.com. We will announce the top candidates from our pool of applicants, and public community voting will begin for which local metro Richmond business should be saved. Make sure to publicize the voting and get all of your friends, customers and patrons to vote for your business!

In addition to being lavished with the marketing and social media attention of the participating contest sponsors, the first place winner will receive $4,000 in creative marketing and consulting services. The runner-up will receive $1,000 in creative marketing and consulting services. You can put that money towards things like marketing strategy consulting, logo design, print design, copywriting and web development—things you really need in order to develop and grow your business.

It’s like winning your own strategic marketing team—and they’re only focused on you.

It’s winning a second chance!

Local businesses are a major, vital part of the Richmond community—and we want to do our part to keep it that way! Enter our contest today—and find out how well you can do in “tough times.”

Helping you seize success,

Tommy Rayburn

Only businesses that are licensed practitioners in Virginia will be considered that are located within the Richmond metro area (Richmond and surrounding areas within approximately a 30-mile driving distance). E-commerce solutions are not included in the marketing services. Contest results will be chosen based upon the opinion of a panel of selected local Virginia business owners. Winners will be responsible for any materials cost; for example, printing, signage, web hosting, and other nuts and bolts types of materials. Wholesale costs have been negotiated with third parties to offer a once-in-a-lifetime discount on these materials. All information will be kept confidential and will not be released to third parties.

Businesses not selected for the top prizes will receive a 15% discount off of creative and consulting services from Our Time Designs. If you have any questions, please contact Tommy Rayburn at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .