Local Business Woman Named As Winner for the Make Mine a Million $ Business™ Competition National Event

Newark, New Jersey, June 15, 2010 – Business growth program, the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition selected Angela Barnard of Boca Raton, FL as one of seven awardees at Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition Event in Newark, New Jersey. This exciting event featured female entrepreneurs from across the nation who competed for business development packages that included business coaching, marketing, PR, and technological assistance to help their businesses grow into million-dollar enterprises. The event also included educational and networking opportunities in addition to a keynote speech by Count Me In Founder, Nell Merlino.

Described as a cross between “The Apprentice” and “American Idol,” the competition provided these seven awardees with the opportunity to present their business in a 3 minute “elevator pitch” to a panel of business experts and a live audience. The seven winners were chosen by the audience and judges who collaborate on the selection process.

Angela Barnard owns Audio Video Systems, Inc., (AVS) in West Palm Beach, FL. AVS is a full service security system integrator offering burglar/fire alarm systems and monitoring; video surveillance and access control solutions that provide benefits well beyond theft deterrence. Angela plans to use the award package to assist with marketing efforts and hiring additional employees.

Awardees will receive several of the key components of the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition awards package that will help their businesses break the million-dollar barrier, which includes inspiration, community, and business coaching from a “dream” team of coaches and business experts from Count Me In, and select discounts from national sponsors.

Launched in 2005 by Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and founding partner American Express OPEN, the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition 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 19 competitions in cities around the country and grown into a nationwide movement. In the history of the program, thousands of women entrepreneurs across the nations have applied.

“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. “The number of applicants mirrors the growth of our entrepreneurs, businesses, and their desire to take them to the million dollar level.”

The Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition has garnered support from organizations who are all joining hands in order to make an impact in women’s lives and strengthening the US economy. The impressive list of national sponsors includes American Express OPEN, FedEx, WIPP, and Sam’s Club. Sponsors provide an array of products and services that serve as invaluable tools for growth.

For more information about how women can grow their businesses please visit www.makemineamillion.org.

About Count Me In

Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education, and community support for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses to million dollar enterprises. Count Me In launched the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition to inspire one million women entrepreneurs scale their businesses to a million dollars in revenue in the next decade by providing tools, skills, and the support of a nation-wide community of peers.