Devoted to women of color in business

I've been browsing the Makemineamillion.org website and it is chock-full with great information and the opportunity to make connections, check it out at www.makemineamillion.org

The project's goal is to help women-owned businesses reach and exceed the million-dollar revenue mark through support, information, financing, and mentoring.

You can sign up by "declaring your intention"

"Yes, I am determined to reach a million dollars in revenue by 2010!"

and you'll get signed up to take advantage of all the resource on the site. Forty participants will receive big bonuses: a year of mentoring from a business advisory team, up to $45k in financing, exposure to opportunities to market your business, and access to a national network of businesswomen.

You can also attend the Spring 2006 award ceremony, sponsored by the NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) on June 2, 2006 (come visit me in Oakland if you come!) or the October 2006 finalist ceremony in New York City.

The project founders are Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence and
OPEN from American Express^SM.

countmein.org

open.com/cmi

To join, the website instructs you to do the following:

• Declare your intention to reach a million dollars in revenue by 2010.
  
• Apply to be one of 40 Make Mine a $Million Business™ award recipients.
  
• Volunteer to mentor other women entrepreneurs.
  

In the resources section www.makemineamillion.org/m3/home.php?page=m3_library there is an excellent article on the five steps  to take to grow a business, including: having a vision, utilizing consistent business practices, understanding growth (and  "burn rate"), hiring the right people,  and constantly evaluating  and improving.

The former winners' stories, bios, and blogs are posted, so you can grab some inspiration from their stories, including


Beatriz Ramos, who's working in the animation field through her Dancing  Diablo Studio, Inc.


Saundra Charles of Firm BI Group LLC, a mechanical maintenance company that services large industrial, marine and commercial clients.


Sharon Shaheed and Phoebe Simpson of Piano Play Music Systems, an educational music learning center with in-house music books, CD's and learning materials for children and youth.

Good luck to those of you who apply!