When 32-year-old Ravi Mehta from Vancouver received an email from Amazon stating he had won a $15,000 gift card, his first reaction was disbelief. Like most of us, Ravi had grown used to ignoring promotional emails, assuming they were either spam or too good to be true. But something about this one caught his eye.
“The email looked official, and I had actually entered a contest a few months ago — I just forgot about it,” he said.
The Contest That Almost Went Unnoticed
Back in January, Amazon launched a limited-time promotional campaign to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The campaign wasn’t heavily advertised, but it encouraged users to share their most inspiring small-business success stories on a dedicated Amazon webpage.
Ravi, who runs a small handmade home décor store on Amazon Marketplace, had submitted his story. In his entry, he detailed how he quit his job during the pandemic to pursue his passion, starting with just $500 and a small room in his house.
“I didn’t expect anything to come out of it. I thought, why not share my story and hope for the best?”
What he didn’t know was that Amazon had handpicked a few heartfelt stories from thousands of submissions and decided to reward them in a big way.
The $15,000 Surprise
Fast forward to April. Ravi opens his inbox and sees the subject line: “Congratulations — You’ve Won the Amazon Milestone Award!”
Still skeptical, he checked the sender address, followed verification links, and even called Amazon’s customer support. To his astonishment, the reward was 100% real — a $15,000 Amazon gift card, instantly credited to his account.
How Did He Use It?
Instead of splurging, Ravi used the balance wisely. He upgraded his product packaging equipment, bought a new laptop, and invested in an ad campaign for his Amazon store. He also surprised his mother with a home appliance she had wanted for years.
“It wasn’t just about free stuff. That gift card gave me breathing room and the ability to take my business to the next level.”
Why It Matters
This story isn’t just about luck — it’s about taking small chances, being involved in the platforms you use daily, and never underestimating the value of your own journey.
While such big rewards are rare, Amazon and other major companies do run campaigns and customer engagement programs where genuine users are recognized and rewarded.
A Message to Small Business Owners
Ravi’s story is a reminder that platforms like Amazon don’t just cater to big brands. Sometimes, they pay attention to the everyday people who use their services to build something meaningful.
“I never thought sharing my struggle would turn into something this big. I’m just grateful — and even more motivated to grow my business.”
Lesson
Opportunities often hide in plain sight. Keep showing up, sharing your journey, and staying alert — your reward might be waiting in your inbox.
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