If you're an entrepreneur between the ages of 12 and 19, this contest is for you. Financial author and speaker Peter Bielagus is writing an entrepreneurship guide for tweens and teens. But first, he wants to hear from this demographic on the struggles they face as aspiring entrepreneurs. So he's asking youngsters to submit a 250 word essay describing their business, how they came up with the idea, how they got started (or plan to get started), what obstacles they've faced and what they would do with the $1,000 grand prize.

 The top 100 storytellers will receive a free book, and the $1,000 grand prize will be awarded to the entrepreneur with the best tale, who will also receive a day of entrepreneurial coaching from Bielagus. To enter, e-mail Bielagus at peter@peterbspeaks.com with the word "Contest" in the subject line.

If you're looking for marketing advice for your small business, OPEN from American Express may have some hints for you. Their "Inside the Entrepreneurial Mind" series of online forums offers small-business owners insight from successful entrepreneurs in niche-specific industries. The latest forum focuses on "The Business of Technology," and is available to view starting today at openforum.com/eventcenter. Learn from notable names like Facebook founder Sean Parker and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales as they share their business experience to benefit your business. Here's a sneak peek at some of the topics:

• Viral marketing--How is viral marketing different than word-of-mouth marketing? Wales believes the best of "old world" business principles still applies in the world of new media.
• Transparency--Wales explains how radical transparency works and why your customers will respect you for it.
• Branding and marketing--Parker talks about the importance of creating an experience in order to engage your customers online.