Keynote speaker Lt. Governor Diane Denish, a former entrepreneur, praised the program and celebrated women entrepreneurs for creating jobs and building thriving businesses while taking care of their families and supporting their community. Denish captivated the audience with a story from her entrepreneurial past – as recently as 1991 her bank required that her husband co-sign a loan for her business even though her financials met all loan criteria. She declined the loan, grew her business with personal funds, and went on to be part of an administration in New Mexico that has prioritized the needs of small businesses.

Less than 3% of women-owned businesses break the million-dollar threshold in annual revenues; the Make Mine a Million $ Business program, launched in 2005, is the only program to meet this challenge head on. The movement's ultimate goal is to inspire one million women business owners to reach $1 million dollars in revenue.

"Make Mine a Million $ Business provides women entrepreneurs with business education and tools, as well as vital networking and support from a community of like-minded women who are coming together to grow," said Nell Merlino, founder and president of Count Me In. "Our community of Make Mine a Million $ Business awardees employ 200,000 people across the country in communities small and large through businesses of every shape and size. They are the economic stimulus package this country needs."

The all-day business event at the Wool Warehouse in Albuquerque featured 20 female entrepreneurs selected from a pool of several hundred applicants from New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and California. The event culminated with the announcement of the program's 10 newest members to its growing class of awardees. Each awardee was selected based on a three-minute "elevator pitch" presented to a live audience and a panel of judges.

"Our New Mexico awardees are pioneers who represent the promise and potential of women entrepreneurs across America," said Sarika Sangwan, Manager of Advocacy Marketing at American Express OPEN. "When we reach our goal of helping one million women build million-dollar businesses, New Mexico will gain $6.8 billion in additional economic activity and add 50,000 new jobs."*

New Mexico Awardees:

The following 10 women were selected based on their ability to build a $1 million business within two years and join a growing class of 150 Make Mine a Million $ Business awardees.

• Lana Hutchison of Albuquerque, NM-based Hutchison Assisted Living Services, a licensed Adult Residential Shelter Care Home called Andrew House providing assisted living services to individuals
• Krista Branch of Flagstaff, AZ-based Peak Educational Services (www.peakteam.com), a multidisciplinary organization that works with schools and agencies in Northern Arizona and on the Navajo Nation by serving the individual needs of the child and family through professional, caring relationships
• Carol Gaab of Chandler, AZ-based TPRS Publishing, Inc. (www.tprstorytelling.com), which produces and publishes Foreign Language readers, textbooks and teacher training materials that are based on a specific method called Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling
• Kimbra Orr of Littleton, CO-based Kimbra Studios (www.kimbrastudios.com), which produces solid sterling custom photo jewelry and accessory pieces
• Barbara Spohn-Lillo of Lakewood, CO-based Prosthetic Illusions Inc. (www.prostheticillusions.com), which specializes in creating custom artificial eyes, facial prosthetics, partial digits, and custom breast prostheses
• Alexandra Watkins of San Francisco, CA-based Eat My Words (www.eatmywords.com), a creative branding firm that creates unforgettable brand names and taglines that make emotional connections with consumers, build instant affinity for the brand, and have proven return on investment
• Nadine Johnson of San Carlos, CA-based Sous Kitchen, Inc. (www.souskitchen.com), which provides customers with chef-prepared, frozen dinner kits to cook at home
• Tarin Wilson of Beverly Hills, CA-based plan A events, LLC (www.planAevents.com), an event production and management company organizing events of all sizes with an emphasis on detail and quality
• Theresa Stelter of Santee, CA-based Hillcreek Designs (www.hillcreekdesigns.com), which sells buttons with a folk art finish. Each button is hand dyed and packaged for retail and wholesale clients worldwide
• Carla Falcone and Romy Taormina of Pacific Grove, CA-based Psi Health Solutions, Inc. (www.psibands.com), which sells Psi Bands (pronounced "Sigh Bands"): drug-free wrist bands for the relief of nausea due to morning sickness (pregnancy), motion sickness/ travel, chemotherapy, and anesthesia

Awardees received:

• Inspiration, community, financing and mentoring from a "dream" team of coaches and business experts from Count Me In
• Platinum Business Cash Rebate Credit Card, a financial health analysis, and possible promotion in marketing and media campaigns from American Express OPEN
• Peace of mind with help from a personal financial coach to secure your future from AIG®
• A Dell® shopping spree worth $1000
• Discounts from FedEx® select shipping and office and print services

Upcoming Make Mine a Million $ Business Events:

• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - December 11, 2008
  Open to women business owners Nationwide

To apply or join the Make Mine a Million $ Business community, 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 micro businesses to million dollar enterprises.  Count Me In launched the Make Mine a Million $ BusinessTM and Micro to MillionsTM programs to inspire women entrepreneurs to build sustainable enterprises, create jobs and develop innovative products and services.  For more information visit: www.countmein.org.

About American Express OPEN(SM)
American Express OPEN is dedicated exclusively to the success of small business owners and their companies. OPEN supports business owners with exceptional service. With tailored products and services, the team delivers purchasing power, flexibility, control and rewards to help customers run their business. Specifically, business owner customers can leverage an enhanced set of products, tools, services and savings, including charge and credit cards, convenient access to working capital, robust online account management capabilities and savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners. To obtain more information about OPEN(SM), visit OPEN.com, or call 1-800-NOW-OPEN to apply for a card or loan. Terms and conditions apply.

American Express Company www.americanexpress.com is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

* Data source: US Census Bureau. Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners: Women-Owned Firms, 2002. Published January 2006. (SB02-00CS-WMN). State-level impact estimates prepared by Julie Weeks, President and CEO of Womenable, www.womenable.com. The state level impact of having 1 million women-owned firms at $1M in revenues nationally are calculated using the national-level rates of a 412.7% increase in the number of $1M firms, at exactly $1M in revenue for those firms, with an average of 6.82 employees per firm. Net level impact calculations subtract estimated pre-existing employment.

Contacts:
Rosa Alfonso
212.640.1712
Rosa.M.Alfonso@aexp.com