Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE

For Immediate Release: January 15, 2009
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661

Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel Urges Wisconsin Women Business Owners to Enter

MADISON - Wisconsin women business owners looking to increase revenues will want to participate in the Make Mine a Million $ Business (M3) RACE, a yearlong, online business growth marathon.

"Wisconsin hosted the first statewide Make Mine a Million $ Business Conference in 2006, in which eight award winners received a robust incentive package and a 'dream team' of mentors to help them build their businesses into million-dollar enterprises," said Department of Commerce Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel. "On average, women who have participated in the Make Mine a Million $ Business™ program have increased their revenue and job growth rate by more than 40 percent within 12 months."

The M3 RACE (www.makemineamillion.org) is a program of Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence and Founding Partner OPEN from American Express™. Count Me In was founded by Nell Merlino, the creative force behind the groundbreaking "Take Your Daughters to Work Day" initiative. It is the only national initiative committed to the growth needs of post-start-up, women-owned businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenues. Only 3 percent of the 10.5 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. generate $1 million dollars or more in annual revenue.

Starting January 27, at the click of a mouse, women who enter the M3 RACE will have access to experts, resources, and opportunities tailored to their business that include:

• Cutting edge on-line business assessment with expert advice and education
• Personalized digital "dashboard" to track the goals and annual revenue
• Social network to connect with thousands of other M3 RACE participants and post question questions
• Invitations to three national educational and networking events
• Opportunities to reach new national markets with partners like Founding Sponsor American Express OPEN, Readers Digest, Dell and Sam's Club
• Promotion through local and national TV, newspaper, magazines, radio and blogs
• Prizes and national recognition for crossing your personal finish line, as well as the chance to win our Grand Prize of $100,000 cash and national advertising and press for their business, and other business-boosting and work-life-balancing prizes.

Women entering the M3 RACE will choose to be a walker, jogger, or runner based on their personal goals to increase revenue. Runner-up winners from all 50 states and in 15 business sector categories will receive a prize package including one-on-one business coaching, technology products, media exposure, access to financing and new markets, and products and services. Judging criteria is based on sales levels, revenue growth, employee growth, net worth and profitability after owner draw.

The M3 RACE starts at www.makemineamillion.org where applicants enroll (there is a $100 registration fee) to race and declare their revenue goals for the year. Organizers note that Wisconsin women should get ready for "the journey of a lifetime!"

Registration ends May 31, 2009, and the M3 RACE ends on midnight, December 31, 2009.

-30-