America's favorite small business is right here in Arizona, according to Valpak, the company that sends you all those coupons in the mail.
A veteran and his wife earned the title for their Crossfit company in Mesa, and won $10,000.
This is more than exercise -- this Crossfit facility is a dream come true for Chuck Markos.
"We had one guy from a newspaper ad in the beginning, we trained in a park and from that we've got about a hundred people now," says Chuck Markos.
The former army Lt. Colonel started Firebird Crossfit in 2011 after 21 years in the army. During three deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he got hooked on Crossfit.
"I made my soldiers do it and it resulted in lives saved, no doubt."
Last fall Markos shared his story when he entered the Valpak "Dough to Grow" contest. Social media users voted him America's favorite small business.
"A lot of people are interested in Crossfit and it was exciting cause of our military background, it was exciting cause of him starting a small business and seeing it grow the way that its grown," says Cindy Rash, VP and owner of Valpak.
"It felt great, I mean it's always good, always gratifying for people to like what you're doing and say ‘hey this is meaningful for us,'" says Markos.
Today Valpak presented Markos with his $10,000 prize.
A rowing machine costs about $800. Markos plans to buy five of these and some other equipment with the $10,000.
"We can train people in one class, that's a big help."
Markos is also hoping the new equipment will attract new clients.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:01:11 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
A Scottsdale restaurant is trying to repair its image after a disastrous appearance on the FOX TV show Kitchen Nightmares. It led to a worldwide backlash.
A Scottsdale restaurant is trying to repair its image after a disastrous appearance on the FOX TV show Kitchen Nightmares. It led to a worldwide backlash.
Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to rejuvenate an Internet icon that had fallen behind the times.
After falling woefully out of fashion, Yahoo wants to be cool again while catering to the capitalistic demands of its shareholders. That goal led CEO Marissa Mayer to make a $1.1 billion bet on online blogging forum Tumblr...
A big job fair will take place Monday and dozens of positions need to be filled. One of the companies participating in the event is Go Daddy and they don't take part in these fairs often.
A big job fair will take place Monday and dozens of positions need to be filled. One of the companies participating in the event is Go Daddy and they don't take part in these fairs often.
It's been a week since Amy and Samy Bouzaglo's bistro was featured on the FOX hit show. It showed them yelling at Chef Gordon Ramsay, at their customers, and even at their employees.
It's been a week since Amy and Samy Bouzaglo's bistro was featured on the FOX hit show. It showed them yelling at Chef Gordon Ramsay, at their customers, and even at their employees.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
It used to be doctors made house calls. Those days are long gone -- or are they? A Scottsdale company called "Stat Doctors" is pioneering a way for doctors to make virtual house calls.
It used to be doctors made house calls. Those days are long gone -- or are they? A Scottsdale company called "Stat Doctors" is pioneering a way for doctors to make virtual house calls.
