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 Joan Denizot of Fairfax 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.
Denizot 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.
Joan Denizot began Super Sized Cycles 6 years ago. The company is dedicated to creating a positive, supportive experience for people of all sizes who want to bicycle. The company’s own brand, Zize Bikes, uses top of the line parts and custom designs to make them strong and safe for big riders. Featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition as well as in the New York Times and other publications, Super Sized Cycles is making all the difference for big people who want to get moving.
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.”
