She started out as a child with an interest and has since gained national recognition. Local potter and business owner Tena Payne of Earthborn Studios, Inc. in Leeds is a semi-finalist in Forbes $100,000 “Boost Your Business” contest. It was an opportunity that, in more ways than one, fell into her hands and she credits God for every bit of it.

Payne said she started receiving Forbes magazine around a year ago and saw the contest while reading through an e-mail Forbes sends out to its subscribers. “I turned in a 500-word essay on the company – what we do, how we do it and how we are marketing it,” she said.

“I submitted at 5 p.m. on the deadline day and when they called and told me that we won a spot with 20 finalists, I was blown away. I thought this is national. This is huge.”

Forbes announced the finalists on August 18 and since that time, Earthborn has continued to rise in the contest ranks. “Just this exposure and being in the top 20 is huge,” Payne said.

Payne has been an accomplished and dedicated potter since the 1970s. She has been a leader in the clay community and has represented the arts across the state of Alabama.

She was first commissioned to create restaurant pottery at Hot & Hot Fish Club in Birmingham. Since that time, she has had her work showcased and used in galleries and restaurants across the nation.

“This whole business from the very beginning when I started out in my basement to the first order I got at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas is a blessing,” she exclaimed. “I would have never knocked on the door, but God answers prayer in a big way.”

Over the past few months, Earthborn, a family business, has no doubt felt the affects of the economy. Payne said over the past few months she has been on her knees praying more and more, but that slowly things have picked up and that is even more proof of the power of prayer.

Just this week, she got an order from Ross Bridge to make pieces from Brock’s Restaurant. She also has two other restaurants that have shown a lot of interest as well.

Payne, the only entrepreneur from Alabama in the contest, believes that the Forbes award will help her market Earthborn to more chefs, to attend more venues and take Earthborn to the next level.

Over the past week, Earthborn has risen into the ranks of the top five businesses taking part in the “Boost Your Business” contest and as of Wednesday she was in the top position.

This is the third year for the “Boost Your Business” contest and the winner receives $50,000 cash and $50,000 worth of advertising on forbes.com.

The community can vote for Payne and Earthborn at www.forbes.com/byb through September 30.

They are also welcome to take part in the art through classes at Cahaba Clayworks located on Highway 78 in Leeds. Visit www.cahabaclayworks.com or contact 205-702-4180 for more information.