'Make Mine a $Million Business'(TM) Program Winners to be Announced Via Live Web Cast on SBTV.com

'Make Mine a $Million Business'(TM) Program Winners to be Announced Via Live Web Cast on SBTV.com

OPEN from American Express(SM), Count Me In and SBTV.com Join Forces to Support Women-Owned Businesses

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Women small business owners interested in gathering information and ideas on how to grow their businesses can take part in a free live SBTV.com web cast of the "Make Mine a $Million" event on December 2, 2005 at 9 a.m. EST by registering at http://www.sbtv.com/default.asp?cid=48.

As part of a national pilot program to help women grow their businesses beyond the million-dollar mark, ten finalists will pitch their business cases to industry experts, corporate representatives and other women business owners at the "Make Mine a $Million Business" event at the American Express Auditorium in New York City on Friday, December 2nd. The audience -- including those who tune in to the web cast -- will help choose five Northeast awardees to receive one year of free mentoring from a team of business advisors, access to marketing opportunities, and up to $45,000 in loans from Count Me In. Five runners-up will also be eligible for up to $20,000 in loans from Count Me In, a non-profit organization that provides business loans to women entrepreneurs who have been turned down for financing by other sources.

"The Make Mine a $Million Business program is built to help women entrepreneurs accelerate their business growth through a combination of money, mentors for guidance and unique marketing opportunities," said Susan Sobbott, president, OPEN from American Express. "The upcoming event is an opportunity for everyone to witness how quickly this program can make an impact on the lives of ambitious business owners."

A Dream Team of business advisors will help each recipient chosen to design a plan for growth, and will mentor the award recipients on issues including operations, marketing and financing.

"We are finding that half the challenge of growing your business to a million dollars is consciously creating a plan," explained Nell Merlino, president, Count Me In. "The women who are part of Make Mine a $Million Business are moving from working in their business to working on their business. To hear their stories is both educational and empowering."

"This program is creating a clear pathway for women to grow from micro- to million-dollar enterprises," said Merlino.

"Small businesses are the fastest growing segment of the economy and women-owned small businesses are the largest percentage of that business sector," noted Susan Wilson Solovic, CEO of SBTV.com. "We are proud to support the initiative and achievements of these successful women business owners and hope that they inspire others to reach for the stars and achieve similar success," Solovic added.

About SBTV.com

SBTV.com is the Internet's first television network focused entirely on providing news and information for small business. Based in St. Louis, MO, SBTV is devoted 100 percent to the small business market -- from business start-ups to established enterprises. We believe that being an entrepreneur is a way of living -- not just a way to make a living. SBTV is becoming the number one choice for small business information on the net. Business owners rely on SBTV because it provides practical and compelling content produced by experienced journalists and industry experts and delivers that information conveniently and effectively via the Internet.

About OPEN from American Express

OPEN is the American Express team dedicated exclusively to the success of small business owners and their companies. The OPEN Team supports business owners with unparalleled service. With tailored products and services, the team delivers purchasing power, flexibility, control and rewards to help customers run their business. 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 http://www.open.com/, or call 1-800-NOW-OPEN to apply for a card or loan. Terms and conditions apply.

American Express Company (http://www.americanexpress.com/) is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a world leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, business services and international banking.

About Count Me In

Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence designed, produces and administers the new Make Mine a $Million Business (TM) program. A nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Count Me In champions women's entrepreneurship and economic independence. Dedicated to increasing access to credit and capital, the organization provides online nationwide access to micro business loans, business consultation and education to women who have been turned down by the system. We are changing the way women do business! For more information, visit http://www.count-me-in.org/.

Source: SBTV.com

CONTACT: Vince Baglivo, 0 to 60, LLC, +1-973-301-2200, ext. 205,
vbaglivo@zero-to-sixty.com; or Susan Wilson Solovic of SBTV.com,
+1-314-533-72888 ext. 23, or mobile: +1-314-560-1468

Web site: http://www.sbtv.com/default.asp?cid=48
http://www.americanexpress.com/
http://www.open.com/

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