Fifty Women Entrepreneurs Begin Mile-High Business Growth Trek at Denver Event

M3 1000, the latest evolution of the groundbreaking Make Mine a Million $ Business (M3) program, an initiative of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and American Express OPEN, has announced the inaugural M3 1000 awardee class of up-and-coming women entrepreneurs. The 50 women honorees, representing 15 different states and all aspiring to grow their post start-up enterprises into million-dollar firms, were selected as part of the first-ever M3 1000 pitch event, held on April 4, 2011 in Denver.

Built on the lessons learned over the past five years through more than 20 M3 competitions held nationwide and the movement’s growing community of successful women business leaders, M3 1000 is designed to help women entrepreneurs strengthen their vision, build their strategy and take their business to a million dollars in revenue.

The Denver event, which was the largest ever gathering of women entrepreneurs pitching their businesses in competition, featured a keynote address from famed entrepreneur Lisa Price, founder of the Carol’s Daughter beauty products line, and included educational sessions focusing on business financials, social media and leadership. The new event yielded 62 pitch competition winners from which the 50 M3 awardees were chosen, based on additional analysis involving financials, business plans and reference reviews.

"We revamped Make Mine a Million $ Business to bring the inspiration and tools for success to a greater number of women entrepreneurs than ever before,” said Nell Merlino, founder and president of Count Me In. "We believe these 50 businesses have the potential to grow into million-dollar enterprises quickly, and we look forward to working with them on that journey.”

As M3 awardees, each of the winners are eligible to receive an American Express OPEN Business Gold Rewards card with up to 50,000 Membership Rewards® points (terms and conditions apply); inclusion in group coaching and training sessions with other Denver awardees; a one year legislative membership with Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP); an invitation to join the exclusive M3 online networking group; and special consideration for additional national and local public relations opportunities. The honorees already received a $1000 American Express(R) Gift Card and an introductory cycle of professional coaching with The Coach Connection as a result of being named a pitch competition winner.

"There are an estimated 8.1 million women-owned businesses in the United States, generating nearly $1.3 trillion in revenues and employing nearly 7.7 million people,” said Karen-Michelle Mirko, director of customer advocacy at American Express OPEN. "We at OPEN are thrilled to see the largest M3 awardee class ever and pleased to support this group of high-potential women from diverse industries.”

The following 50 women were selected as the first M3 1000 awardee class based on their ability to build significant and sustainable companies with the growth potential to achieve $1 million or more in annual revenues.

The next M3 1000 event and pitch competition will be held in Philadelphia, PA on September 25^th and 26^th.

M3 1000 focuses on these types of companies:

• The business should be at least 50% owned by a woman who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident
• The company should be at least one year old and have annual revenues between $85,000 - $700,000
• The entrepreneur should be ready to grow her business to a million dollars within the next 18-36 months

At the M3 1000 Philadelphia event, each participant will deliver a two-minute elevator pitch about her business, qualifications, and how she would benefit from the program. The elevator pitch is given in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. The judges will select which of the participants will be named as pitch winners, who will receive prizes and then move on to the final round to collect additional resources.

Applications for the Philadelphia program are open. To apply for the event or join the Make Mine a Million $ Business community, please visit www.makemineamillion.org.

About Count Me In

Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education and community support for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow micro businesses to million dollar enterprises. Count Me In launched Make Mine a Million $ Business® to inspire one million women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses to a million dollars in revenue by providing tools, skills and the support of a nation-wide community of peers.

About American Express OPEN

American Express OPEN is the leading payment card issuer for small businesses in the United States and supports business owners with products and services to help them run and grow their businesses. This includes business charge and credit cards that deliver purchasing power, flexibility, rewards, savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners and online tools and services designed to help improve profitability. Learn more at www.OPEN.com and connect with us at openforum.com and twitter.com/openforum.

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com and connect with us on www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress.

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