1. What is 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’s mission is to promote women entrepreneurs and women’s economic independence.
2. When was Count Me In formed?
Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence was founded in 1999 by Nell Merlino, the creative force behind Take Our Daughters to Work Day.
3. Why was Count Me In created?
Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence was created to promote women’s economic independence through entrepreneurship.
4. How many women are involved in Count Me In’s programs?
60,000 women have joined the Count Me In online community to-date. 5,000 women have applied to its most popular programs, Make Mine a Million $ BusinessTM and Micro to Millions.
5. What programs does Count Me In provide for women entrepreneurs?
Make Mine a Million $ Business, Count Me In’s primary program, was designed to address the fact that of 10.5 million women entrepreneurs in the U.S., only 3% have hit one million dollars in revenue. It’s mission is to inspire and support a movement of one million women entrepreneurs to build million-dollar businesses by 2010. During live events (described as a cross between “The Apprentice” and “American Idol”) held in cities across the country, Make Mine a Million $ Business accelerates women’s business growth with coaching, marketing, technology assistance and a crucial suite of business-building products. Women with businesses that earn at least $250,000 in annual revenue and have been in business for at least two years can apply through an application available online. Finalists are selected from the pool of online applicants, and then compete for the award by pitching their business to the audience and a panel of judges at the Make Mine a Million $ Business events.
Women entrepreneurs can apply for the Make Mine a Million $ Business program. The application is available online at www.makemineamillion.org.
The Micro to Millions Award supports businesses that are not quite large enough yet to apply to the Make Mine a Million $ Business program. It is a package of money, mentoring, and access to a community of peers for women whose businesses started but have not yet hit $250,000 in annual revenue. Applications can also be found at www.makemineamillion.org.
In nine short years, Count Me In has made close to 700 micro loans totaling more than $3.4 mm to women in all 50 states.
Business Answers is Count Me In’s answer to women entrepreneurs primary need: immediate solutions from a source they trust, available at any hour of the day or night. This site provides the best information from Count Me In on all the important elements of business growth. It’s a site where users can receive expert guidance from videos and articles, download tools to make their daily operations simpler, and learn from women entrepreneurs who share their achievements (and mistakes). It's all designed for women entrepreneurs, by women entrepreneurs, to get businesses growing today.
Combining the success and inspiration of Take Our Daughters to Work Day and Make Mine a Million $ Business, Count Me In has launched a new program to expose young women in high school and college to entrepreneurial career paths. The program, Make Our Daughters a Million, debuted at the Make Mine a Million $ Business event in Newark, N.J., on June 3, 2008. Young women accompany their mothers to a Make Mine a Million $ Business event and receive fun, inspiring career and entrepreneurial training of their own. The girls meet successful women business owners, learn confidence-building tips and talk about goal-setting, networking and money. The next Make Our Daughters a Million event will take place September 18, 2008, in Albuquerque, NM.
6. Who are Count Me In’s major corporate sponsors?
American Express OPENSM is the founding partner of Count Me In’s Make Mine a Million $ Business program. AIG is the underwriter of Count Me In’s Business Answers.
7. How many women entrepreneurs have won the Make Mine a Million $ Business program?
There are currently 140 winners of the Make Mine a Million $ Business program. By the end of year 2007, 25% had surpassed the million dollar mark. Several women have already hit a million in 2008 and are predicting multi-million dollar revenues.
8. Who are Count Me In’s sponsors?
Count Me In is sponsored by a number of global companies who are dedicated to the success of women entrepreneurs. Our national sponsors include American Express OPEN, AIG, Cisco, FedEx, Dell and JetBlue; we are also supported by dozens of local sponsors. These companies provide financing, equipment, discounts, and expertise to Count Me In and our community.
9. How do I contact Count Me In?
www.countmein.org
212-245-1245
