The Remarkably Real Challenge

Tell us a candid story where your authentic self shone through.

Prizes

First Place:: $5,000
Second Place:: $2,500
Third Place:: $1,500

All three winners will also each receive a $1,000 Charles & Colvard gift card.

Status

Completed

Timeline

Submissions opened

Nov 10, 2021

Submissions closed

Dec 22, 2021 4:59 AM CUT

Results

Jan 04, 2022

Prizes

First Place:: $5,000
Second Place:: $2,500
Third Place:: $1,500

All three winners will also each receive a $1,000 Charles & Colvard gift card.

Status

Completed

Timeline

Submissions opened

Nov 10, 2021

Submissions closed

Dec 22, 2021 4:59 AM CUT

Results

Jan 04, 2022

About this challenge

Our partners at Charles & Colvard know a thing or two about authenticity. They’re redefining “real” in the diamond industry with their Made, Not Mined gems by proving that you don’t need harmful mining practices to create something authentic. And together, we want to celebrate what makes you... you!

So, we’re asking you to tell us a story where you let your true self shine through. Maybe you were faced with a rough situation at work or in parenting that made you discover your true strengths! Perhaps you quit your job and launched your own company, despite the fear of failure—or maybe you've decided to go all natural and are no longer wearing makeup or using social media filters. Whether you showed up bare faced to an important event, or have decided to follow your dreams, it’s the candid, un-filtered moments that make you who you are.

We, along with our partners at Charles & Colvard, want to fall in love with the real you.

Judges

Don O’Connell – Charles & Colvard President and CEO

Hillary Watson – Senior Director of Sales and Merchandising, Charles & Colvard

Lindsey Woodruff – Director of Marketing and Communications, Charles & Colvard

How to enter

For your story to be eligible, it should be between 600 and 5,000 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines. Stories published on Vocal and entered into the contest up until December 21, 2021, at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The Remarkably Real Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+ visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.

To be eligible to win the grand prize, second place, or third place prizes, you must be over the age of 13 and residing in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need to have a Stripe account created and connected in order to receive the prizes. For this reason, entrants located outside of any of these countries will not be eligible to win.