Over and over and over again I have heard coaches and experts ask the question… “If you could do whatever your heart desires and money/education/time wasn’t an issue, what would you do?� If you have ever dreamed about running your own HUGELY successful business, welcome to the club! But wait a minute; I don’t want to get you all excited about the thought of a million dollar business without tips for achieving it. As I typed that last sentence I began doubting myself, wondering if I can satisfy your craving for success, achievement and last but not least (on my list) contribution. One of my pet peeves is hype that doesn’t deliver on its promise.
Ok, so I secretly refer to her as the Fairy God Mother of women entrepreneurs. In a perfect world, I will meet her someday; maybe even have lunch with her. Does the name Nell Marino ring a bell? She launched Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence. It’s the leading non-profit provider of online business loans, resources and community for women entrepreneurs nationally. Hundreds of women from geographically and ethnically diverse groups from all 50 states have received microloans for their start up businesses thanks to Count Me In. The best part is, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist. Women just have to register their businesses on the website to be considered www.count-me-in.org. Wait, there’s more….
Nell didn’t stop there, she came up with another brilliant idea called Make Mine A Million www.makemineamillion.org and I want to share some inspiring success stories as well as their criteria for participants.
It all started when Count Me In partnered with Open from American Express, to create Make Mine a $Million. Other sponsors came on board, including AIG, QVC, Cisco, Fed-Ex, and Intuit. Similar to ‘American Idol’ qualified women can ‘audition’ their already established businesses in front of a panel of judges, for a chance to be awarded business packages that include loans and financing, one-on-one mentoring, marketing assistance, technology support, a slot on QVC and shipping discounts.
To qualify, businesses need to be:
~ women-owned
~ in business at least two years
~ bringing in a revenue of $250,000 a year
Already, 83 women across the country have received awards. The next big events for 2007 are open to women nationwide and are happening in the following cities: Austin October 4th, New York City October 23rd and Burbank, California November 14th.
Applications are being accepted now, with deadlines in September. Women can sign up at www.makemineamillion.org. Once you sign up, Count-Me-In will select a list of finalists who can audition in that city. If you are one of the lucky women chosen you will rehearse auditions the first day and on the second day you will audition in front of a panel of judges and a live audience. The audience will have ballots and will help select the awardees.
Here are a few of the talented business women who have been selected:
Francine Glick - www.waterjourney.com
A resourceful mother of two, Francine invented Hands2GO®, an instant hand sanitizer. It was specifically formulated to avoid the harsh effects of alcohol, making it a safer choice for families and young children. Recent reports of children who have ingested small amounts of potent alcohol-based hand sanitizers (which are often over 60% alcohol or equivalent to 124-proof) and suffered from poisoning symptoms, is another reason parents and caregivers are seeking products that are able to kill bacteria without alcohol. Hands2GO is available at Babies�R�Us, Bed Bath & Beyond, Duane Reade, Harmon’s, Kroger, and CVS.com.
Marie Moody - www.stellaandchewys.com
Marie, 39, founded her pet food company three years ago when her dog was diagnosed with an illness that could only be cured by putting him on a diet of raw meat. Stella & Chewy’s is a wholesaler of all-natural, raw and freeze-dried pet food for dogs and cats. The diet is 96% free-range meat and bone, and 4% organic fruits and vegetables; it mimics what carnivores would eat in the wild. Because it is raw, all of the enzymes and nutrients are still alive, thus providing maximum health to pets The company has doubled its sales every year. Mare worked in corporate America as a fashion wholesale sales rep in clothing showrooms all over the world. Now she’s allowed to bring her dog to work.
Sandi Webster - www.consultants2go.com
Consultants 2Go, LLC was literally forged out of the ashes of September 11th, when Sandi (45) and her business partner were forced to leave their offices near the World Trade Center and subsequently lost their jobs. This was the catalyst they needed to finally go into business for themselves. Consultants 2 Go is a certified minority and women-owned consulting firm that provides marketing and analytic solutions to Fortune 500 companies. All C2G consultants are seasoned professionals with over ten years of experience. C2G has four divisions: Professional Services, Marketing Solutions, Analytics, and Electronic Payments Practice. C2G targets financial services and telecom companies that have a need for unbiased, complex analyses and market campaign tracking.
Karen Bevels - www.karenbevels.com
Karen Bevels Custom Catering and Events grew from Karen’s background as a personal chef. Her company offers food service, event rentals, staff, floral and anything else her clients require to have a catered event. The company can manage events ranging from 2 to 2,000 guests.
Doreen Zayer - www.relaxoncloud9.com
Relax on Cloud 9 is a full service spa which has been in business since 1995. Doreen Zayer, 46, began as a licensed massage therapist. She opened her first massage center in 1995, purchased the building where her spa currently is in 1997, and opened a second location in the Hilton Hotel in 2002.
Adrienne Simpson - www.wemoveseniors.com
While downsizing and moving her mother from Georgia to Michigan, Adrienne discovered how fragmented the moving process is for senior citizens. She decided to put her years of customer service and organizational experience to work and started Smooth Mooove Senior Relocation Services, Inc.
Sharon Brown - www.selonabeauty.com
Selona skin care line is the ultimate in opulence and innovation. This skin care line of products are ultra-rich and silky– yet non-greasy. Selona is one of the most sought after brands in higher-end spas, resorts and retail boutiques around the world.
Ok, now it is your turn to share your comments, thoughts and dreams with me. I’d love to know what you are up to, what challenges you are facing and how I can continue inspiring you with stories and celebrating your success.
5 Responses to “I Want MY Own Million Dollar Business!”
Leave a Reply
June 22nd, 2007 at 7:52 pm
My name is Barbara Rogers, author of How to Make Boxes of Cash with Self-Storage Auctions. I decided to create a book to assist anyone who is interested in running a flexible, profitable self-storage auction business out of their home.
I felt it was important to share this valuable information with people, and to become the resource for those who need help getting it started. My book is a short read and provides step by step instructions for anyone to follow to become a successful business owner running a self-storage auction business.
It is a great WEEKEND ENTREPRENEUR idea!
www.selfstorageauctioncash.com
June 25th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
I love your blog! This one in particular was not only inspiring but incredibly useful as well. I’ll be checking out that website soon - thanks so much for sharing it with all of us!
June 25th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
This is a really great article. I’m going to check out the website. I’m all about learning from seasoned Entrepreneurs that empower & motivate me. Thanks for the wonderful article & keep supplying us with great topics.
Marlena Martin www.supernovafilms.com
June 25th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Dear Michelle,
This is a very good article that brings up a lot of ideas on how women can really take an idea they have to the next level.
I’m meeting with the current CEO of Count Me In here in NYC tomorrow evening and I will mention your posting.
It has really helped me understand exactly what is possible for women entrepreneurs in the US… and the world.
Thanks and keep this BLOG going!
Stefan
July 5th, 2007 at 10:43 am
This article was quite inspiring. It gave me insite into how creative you can be in starting any kind of business, home based or not. I have been looking for months for a valid business idea. All I have found scream,”SCAM.” I am certainly inspired and now I believe that there is a perfect business idea or opportunity for me. I would love any insite or comments anyone can give me.
Inspired believer,
Nancy