A few years ago we interviewed one of the winners of the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition (M3), Valarie King-Bailey, founder of OnShore Technology Group. There is still time to apply for the Houston, Texas National M3 Competition. Here is more information about the program:

Make Mine a Million $ Business is a program of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence — and founding partner, OPEN from American Express®. Count Me In introduced the program to help women entrepreneurs grow and build sustainable enterprises, create jobs and develop innovative products and services.

The Make Mine a Million $ Business Award provides a combination of coaching, financing and marketing tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their businesses from micro to millions. Count Me In launched the dynamic movement of Make Mine a Million $ Business with a goal to inspire one million women entrepreneurs to reach annual revenues of $1 million in the next decade.

The impact of reaching this goal would be to create over 4 million new jobs and $700 billion in economic activity. With 97% of all women-owned businesses in the U.S. reporting less than 1million $ in revenue, Make Mine a Million $ Business is addressing the growth needs of established and new, women-owned businesses. We have connected women entrepreneurs to pathways of business growth through confidence, coaching, and community support, provided ways for big corporations to invest in small business success and inspired women to expand their vision of what is possible.

Who is eligible?

Make Mine a Million $ Business™ targets businesses organized and doing business in the United States with the following characteristics:

• The company must be at least 50% owned by at least one woman who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• The business should be at least two years old and have annual revenues of at least $200,000.

All Applicants who are selected as Finalists must attend the Event at their own expense and be willing to participate in the coaching program, related public relations events, and promotions for the Make Mine a Million $ Business program and its Sponsors and other partners.  In some cases applicants may be asked to change the event/location to which they have applied.  You will be notified by Count Me In if this occurs.

What do I get by applying for the MAKE MINE A MILLION $ BUSINESS COMPETITION?

You become a member of the Make Mine a Million $ Business Community!

Community members receive:

• Opportunities to connect with the thousands of women entrepreneurs, potential strategic partners, clients, and vendors
• Forums to discuss business growth questions, comments and concerns on our message boards.
• Real-time feedback from other entrepreneurs and experts on your day-to-day concerns.
• Opportunity to market your business to thousands of women by completing your profile page
• Business growth tips, advice, and success stories in our monthly newsletter.
• Be the first to know about our upcoming webinars, live workshops, seminars and events.
• Face to face meetings with women entrepreneurs in your local area through Meetups .

We’ve been told by hundreds of women that the application process changed their life.  You will most likely find that by completing the application you will have clarified your vision and plan, identified points for improvement, and discovered new strategies for your business’s growth.

What are the prizes?

In addition to Community member benefits, applicants for the Make Mine a Million $ Business program are competing to receive a limited number of Awards Packages consisting of products and services that are provided by Count Me In and its sponsors to help business owners grow their businesses.

• Business coaching from Count Me In’s coaching partner, The Coach Connection
• Count Me In’s Capitol Concierge service – personalized assistance from Count Me In experts who will help you prepare your financials to pursue financing through SBA lenders
• Access to American Express Platinum Card for selected awardees
• Local and national visibility for you and your business from American Express OPEN
• Membership to Sam’s Club
• Discounts on select shipping and office and print services from FedEx
• Increased exposure to potential customers seeking your goods or services
• Opportunities to reach new national markets with partners like American Express OPEN, Reader’s Digest, Dell, FedEx and Sam’s Club
• Promotion of you and your business through local and national television, newspapers, magazines, radio and blogs

How do I win?

Applications are solicited and processed throughout the year in conjunction with the schedule of Make Mine a Million $ Business Events.   On your application, you will be asked to select which event you will be applying for.  All events are national unless otherwise noted.  Applications for the Make Mine a Million $ Business program are screened by Count Me In staff and a team of banking and financial professionals selected by Count Me In.

Applications are rated according to how well they meet the eligibility requirements of the Program and the following additional criteria:

Company’s potential to reach the $1 million revenue level (or higher) within 18-24 months

• Potential to scale business
• Realistic vision
• Mindset for growth

Company has a credible Marketing Plan

• Identifiable niche and target market
• Clear strategy to reach target market
• Competitive strengths

Management  has the capacity to take the Company to the next level

• Owner’s experience and skill
• Experience of management team (if applicable)

Company appears to be on a sound financial footing

• Financial acumen of owner
• Management of personal and business credit
• Company is financially solvent and shows historical growth
• Ability to take on more debt

Company will benefit from being in the Program.

Applicants with the highest ratings will be selected as Finalists.  Finalists must be able to attend the Event that they have applied for, where they will compete to become Awardees.

At the Event, each Finalist will compete by presenting a three-minute pitch of their business, their qualifications, and how they would benefit from the Program.  This Elevator Pitch is given in front of a live audience and a panel of qualified judges selected by Count Me In.  The judges, with input from the audience vote, will select which of the Finalists should be named as Award Recipients.

To learn all the requirements and deadline, please visit the M3 website:

http://www.makemineamillion.org/grow/content/type/tools/article/930