Nicole Newman of Newman Networks LLC. in Philadelphia

Receives $1000 Prize in National Business Pitch Competition for Women Entrepreneurs

Also Competing in Next Round for a Spot in Renowned Business Growth Program

Philadelphia, PA [Monday, October 3, 2011] – Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education, and community support for women entrepreneurs, has named Nicole Newman of Philadelphia as one of 44 Pitch Winners selected in the latest Make Mine a Million $ Business (M3) event, M3 1000, which was held Monday, September 26, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA.

Described as a cross between “The Apprentice” and “American Idol,” the M3 1000 pitch competition invites women business owners with at least $85,000 in annual business revenues that have been in business for two years or more to present their business in a two minute “elevator pitch” to a panel of small business experts and judges.

Pitch Winners came away with a $1000 American Express gift card and an introductory cycle of professional coaching from The Coach Connection (TCC).  Pitch winners are also invited to participate in the next round of competition for a chance to be named an M3 Awardee and join the renowned Make Mine a Million $ Business program.  M3 Awardees receive a business development package that includes national PR, access to financing as needed to help their businesses grow, a one-year legislative membership with Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), and enrollment in the Blast! Business Accelerator Program.  Blast! is a six month group coaching and training program, following a curriculum of key business fundamentals, held in bi-weekly, 75-minute calls for groups of 10 participants and led by a certified business coach/trainer.

Nicole Newman was among 79 women entrepreneurs from around the country to pitch their businesses at the event in completion for the prize and among 240 total participating women entrepreneurs. The event also featured nationally renowned small business experts and coaches, and dozens of past M3 Awardees sharing advice, expertise, and support.  In addition to hearing inspiring keynotes and participating in networking exercises, attendees also took part in business growth education sessions designed to build their capacities around finance management, social media, leadership, and more. A complete list of M3 1000 Philadelphia pitch winners can be found at www.makemineamillion.org/features/M3-1000-Philadelphia.

Launched in 2005 by Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and founding partner American Express OPEN, the Make Mine a Million $ Business program was created to help post-start up, women-owned businesses grow to one million dollars in annual revenue. Since its inception, the program has hosted more than 20 competitions in cities around the country with thousands of women entrepreneurs participating, and grown into a nationwide movement.  To date, 28% of M3 program participants have surpassed the $1 million mark in annual revenues versus the 2.6% national average for women business owners.  A year-to-date investment of $12 million in the program has yielded $160 million in revenues for M3 Awardees.  The ultimate goal of the program is to elevate one million women businesses to over $1M in annual revenue generating $1 trillion in revenues and creating over 4 million jobs by 2020.

“We are thrilled by the eagerness of women across the country to grow their businesses, create jobs in their communities, and create stability for their families and the national economy,” said Nell Merlino, Founder and President of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence.”

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 their businesses to million dollar enterprises.  Count Me In launched the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition to inspire one million women entrepreneurs scale their businesses to a million dollars in business revenues in the next decade by providing tools, skills, and the support of a nation-wide community of peers.

Media Contacts:

Ann Noder

CEO/President

Pitch Public Relations™

Ann@PitchPublicRelations.com

Phone: 480.263.1557

Heather Mangrum

Chief Marketing Office

Economic Independence  Count Me In for Women’s

Hmangrum@countmein.org

Phone: 212.245.1245 x 201

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Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week conference is part of the National Minority Business Development Agency. The purpose of this conference is to provide critical information to foster the growth and competitiveness of the minority business community.

To Learn More Visit: http://phillymedweek.com/