Million $ Club
Meet our Million $ Club
Over the past five years, Count Me In has inspired thousands of women entrepreneurs through its Make Mine a Million $ Business program.
While many of these women have found success through lessons learned and connections made through the M3 program, not all started out as obvious winners. Here we focus on some of our community members who have passed $1M in annual revenues - or are well on their way - and how the M3 program helped them grow toward success and away from some familiar self-imposed obstacles.
Rupila Sethi
Aerial Design and Build is a boutique design consulting and general construction firm catering to mid to high end residential, commercial and hospitality projects in New York City. 2010 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $380,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $918,000 UPDATE: Ariel Design and Build hit $1.7 million in 2011 Q1. |
"I don't have time to fill out the application."How Rupila grew with M3 Before applying for the M3 program, Rupila was more about working in her business instead of working on her business. She and her partner were so busy, they almost did not finish the program application in time! While her company’s client list was impressive, they received little press about their work. Through the M3 program, they learned how to use media coverage to raise their profile among clients and contractors. The national publicity she received as an M3 Awardee dramatically impacted her business, putting Aerial a clear path to reaching the million dollar mark, just months after winning the M3 competition. “Count Me in has given Aerial Design and Build the motivation and coaching to understand our capabilities.” Learn more about Rupila and her business at www.aerialdesignandbuild.com |
Alison Evanow
Square One Organic Spirits a line of culinary-inspired organic spirits with a mission to bring the sustainable kitchen to the bar.
2006 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $8,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $1,127,000 |
"I don't think I meet the qualifications."How Alison grew with M3 When Alison applied to the M3 program, she was still in the start up phase. Despite not meeting the application requirements she took a risk and applied, believing that she had a great idea and just needed the right network of support to make it grow into a successful business. After a phone interview with Count Me In staff, we took that chance on Alison, believing she would be a great fit for the program. Alison credits having access to the M3 community, to share best practices and attain insights, in supporting her success. She hit the million dollar mark in 2008 – just two years after becoming an M3 Awardee - and continues to grow. “The coaching was also very helpful,” she explains. “Receiving assistance on developing myself as a leader and entrepreneur has given me both the confidence and the tools to execute my vision.” Learn more about Alison and her business at www.squareoneorganicspirits.com |
Sandi Webster
Consultants 2 Go a management consulting firm that provides marketing and analytic resources to Fortune 1000 companies, onsite or virtually, on an outsourced or interim basis. 2006 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $250,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $5,000,000 |
"I'm just not ready to do all this planning."How Sandi grew with M3 Sandi and her partner first looked into applying to the M3 program in 2005, but on going through the application, quickly realized they were not ready. The questions on the form made them realize the need to clarify their vision and goals for the business and they spent the next six months doing just that. When Sandi did complete and submit the application in 2006, she came out a winner and continues to benefit from the program today, even after hitting the million dollar mark. “Count Me In and the Make Mine a Million $ Business Program taught me that we can ask for a little help from our friends. We reach out to the M3 community of women whenever we need help with anything from contracts, banking information to simple advice. This allows us to grow from the benefit of other business owners' past experiences.” You can meet Sandi at the M3 1000 event in Denver on April 4, as well as hear more of her story and advice on business partnerships in our FREE Quarterly Case Study webinar, Business Planning Basics for Creating a Profitable Partnership, on Wednesday, March 30. Learn more about Sandi and her business at www.consultants2go.com |
Maureen Borzacchiello
Creative Display Solutions, Inc., an exhibit and event management company specializing in providing innovative and seamless experiential marketing experiences based in Garden City, NY. 2005 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $357,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $4,000,000 |
"Just go for it!"How Maureen grew with M3 As one of the first M3 Awardees, Maureen knew she wanted to grow her business, but had no sense of how big it could be. Taking full advantage of the prize package resources, she soon learned to take control and increase the pace at which she build her business. “M3 inspired me to just go for it!” she explains. Along the way, she met other women business owners building their businesses while “balancing family, home, and the exhilaration and empowerment that goes along with it all.” In M3 Maureen has found a true community for which she remains an active member and “big sister” and mentor to new members. Learn more about Maureen and her business at www.creativedisplaysolutions.com |
Pamela Coppola-Columbia
Statewide Fire Corp., a fire alarm monitoring company based in Staten Island, NY, that dispatches the fire department to commercial properties throughout New York City. 2006 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $300,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $1,200,000 |
"M3 gave me confidence as a very young entrepreneur."How Pamela grew with M3 Pamela was just 24 when she became an M3 Awardee in 2006 and found the experience intimidating at first. “I was surrounded by remarkable, established women,” she explained, but embraced the challenge to prove herself among them. “Being a part of this group opened me up to new experiences and given me mentoring opportunities that many other young business women are not fortunate enough to have access to. Winning the M3 award was one of the best moments of my life...everything that came after has been nothing short of remarkable.” Learn more about Pamela and her business at www.statewidefirecorp.com |
Christie Nightingale
Premier Match Inc., an upscale matchmaking service for single professionals that seek long term relationships and marriage with offices in New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. 2006 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $540,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $1,007,300 |
"M3 gave me the courage to step outside my comfort zone and grow my business."How Christie grew with M3 When Christie joined M3, one of the largest obstacles she faced with her business was modernizing her business and transferring her client records to computer database. Through the professional coaching and hearing from other community members who had build their businesses from the ground up, Christie gained the confidence to step outside her comfort zone so that she could expand her business. “M3 gave me the guidance and the courage to branch out and open a third office of my operation in the Washington DC area.” Learn more about Christie and her business at www.premiermatchmaking.com |
Dawn Gluskin
SolTec Electronics is based in Rockledge, FL, and offers an array of services to the electronic manufacturing and aerospace sectors including obsolescence and lead-time solutions; electronics component testing and verification; inventory management; and kitting service. 2010 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $84,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $2,684,000 |
"M3 helped me make a name for my company in a male dominated field."
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Patricia Bonilla
Lunacon Construction is a commercial construction firm based in Palmetto Bay, FL.
2010 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $419,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $1,600,000 |
"M3 helped me learn to be more competitive"How Patricia grew with M3 Growing a construction company during an economic downturn is no easy feat, but that’s exactly what Patricia has done, significantly increasing her revenues and expanding her business from three to 27 employees within a year of becoming an M3 Awardee. With the growth, her company has completed several high profile projects including incorporating LEED certification standards for facilities at Miami International Airport. She credits the professional coaching gained through M3 in helping her succeed in a competitive, male dominated field and has already secured $5 million in new contacts for 2011. “The coaching received from the program has helped my partner and I think outside the box when it comes to approaching our work load in regard to resources. We truly thank Count Me In for this great opportunity.” Learn more about Patricia and her business at www.lunaconcorp.com |
Dawn Stokes
Total Driving Experience is a full service organization focusing on high-adventure team building, programs to teach new drivers life-saving skills and behind-the-wheel fleet safety training. Based at Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth, programs are also offered across the country. 2006 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $800,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $1,600,00 |
"M3 gave me confidence and much needed access to a community of women who are interested in my success."How Dawn grew with M3 When Dawn first came to the M3 program in 2006, she had big plans: to reach $1 million in revenues before the company’s 3rd anniversary in 2007. She not only achieved that goal, but has maintained revenues above the million dollar mark, despite the recession. Dawn benefited from the myriad PR opportunities available through the M3 program, giving her company exposure to large corporations, as well as an invaluable boost of confidence as a woman business leader in a male dominated field. “Having the support of Count Me In has vaulted our organization into increased exposure, opportunities to meet incredible leaders and daily accountability to a group of fantastic women. Giving back to CMI, by introducing more women owned businesses to the program insures increased growth and value to the program.” Learn more about Dawn and her business at www.totaldrivingexperience.com |
Kimberly Martinez
Bonitas International, based in Newbury, OH, creates and distributes “functional” jewelry. The company’s signature products include a collection of ID necklaces and retractable badge reels which allow nurses, sales reps, and other workers to replace dull shoelace-style lanyards and workplace gadgets with striking fashion accessories. 2006 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $350,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $2,000,000 |
From Financial Services to Functional FashionHow Kimberly grew with M3 Kimberly built the first part of her professional life in the financial sector as a senior executive with Fortune 500 companies. After being downsized, she joined forces with her sister-in-law, Lisa Harrington, to build her own financial plan. A pediatric nurse in Cincinnati, OH, Lisa rebelled against the boring shoelace-style ID lanyards she had to wear and started designing hand beaded, necklace style lanyards. Soon fellow employees became customers. Kimberly saw the opportunity to take Lisa’s fun design idea to a much larger audience and a thriving family business born. Even with her extensive corporate experience, Kimberly found a wealth of resources through the M3 program to help build and sustain the growth of Bonitas International. She especially benefited from the professional coaching in developing a business plan that supported her personal income goals. As a mother of three, she has also found the M3 community to be an invaluable support in finding work-life balance solutions. “Having access to a network of like-minded women has been one of the biggest benefits. M3 taught us to work smart and dream big and we want to encourage other women take advantage of all the program has to offer.” Learn more about Kimberly and her business at www.bonitasinternational.com. |
Kathy Wiley
Poco Dolce is based in San Francisco, CA, and offers a sweet and savory line of hand crafted chocolates made with all-natural ingredients, from local nuts and seeds to Sea Salt harvested from the coast of Brittany. 2010 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $450,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $773,000 |
From Web Engineer to Innovative ChocolatierHow Kathy grew with M3 Kathy’s is a fascinating journey. She started her career as a tech professional, developing websites and managing systems solutions for international retail sites. Always on the look out for desserts that would satisfy her more savory tastes, she began experimenting with chocolate in her kitchen. She has turned that hobby into a fantastic business with products sold in retailers nationwide. When Kathy applied for the M3 Award, she had reservations about how much the program could really help her business. By nature, she was used to working on her own and was not sold on the value of joining a community of other small business owners, especially ones outside of the candy business. Through M3 she has had a change of heart and by opening herself up to that change and the community, her business has grown. “Before entering the M3 competition, I would describe myself as not much of a “group person.” M3 really helped me get past that through the supportive spirit of the other women participating and the whole community. I’ve learned more – about how to present my business, tools to grow it, and about myself - than I ever could have on my own. M3 has helped me connect with new networks and I've made some great new friends.” Learn more about Kathy and her business at www.pocodolce.com. |
Nadine Vogel
Springboard Consulting, LLC, based in Mendham, NJ, works with multinational corporations to market their products and services to the largest minority market in the world: people with disabilities and their families. Springboard also works with these firms to mainstream disability in the workforce, workplace and marketplace. 2008 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $250,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $650,000 |
Combining Experience as a Mom and a Corporate Executive to Reach an Underserved MarketHow Nadine grew with M3 As a mother of two daughters with special needs, Nadine came to experience firsthand the extent to which parents of special needs children were overlooked when it came to marketing. “If an automaker would talk to these parents about their specific needs when purchasing a car, they would not only sell a car, but have a customer for life,” she observed. “We are a very loyal bunch.” Instead of wondering “what if” and “why not,” Nadine applied her skills and years of experience as a corporate executive to help change how marketers perceive and engage with this important market. She credits the M3 program with helping her change her vision of herself and her business. Utilizing the professional coaching and advice and support of the M3 community, she has grown her business from the small home office from which she started into a thriving, internationally recognized “go to” agency. “Having the skills and support of the M3 coaches has been amazing. They’ve helped me turn my passion into a great business.” Learn more about Nadine and her business at www.consultspringboard.com |
Nina Restieri
momAgenda, based in Old Greenwich, CT, creates stylish and functional day planners and other organizing products for busy mothers, and all women, on the go. The line includes a variety of folios, helpful pads, journals, and day planners. 2006 M3 Finalist Annual revenues prior the winning award: $500,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $2,500,000 |
"M3 gave me the confidence to turn my idea into a successful line of products sold nation-wide."How Nina grew with M3 Nina founded momAgenda in 2005 after transitioning from being a successful ad executive to a full time stay at home mother of four. In trying to keep herself and her family organized, she wondered why there were so many options why there were so many options for brides to choose from in planning their weddings, but not a single option for busy moms to plan their everyday lives? Instead of keeping her innovative idea to herself, Nina turned momAgenda into a business that allowed her to peruse her desire for business, while still being able to put being a mother first. Today, the momAgenda product line includes day planners for busy mothers, as well as innovative home organizers and helpful pads for babysitters and family menu planning. The collection is sold at leading national retailers and regional boutiques throughout the US. “M3 has been an exciting and challenging learning process for me. It forced me to sit down and look at the business critically and strategically at a very early stage. Participating in the pitch competition and being a finalist gave me a confidence boost that certainly played a role in helping the business exceed one million dollars in revenue the following year.” Learn more about Nina and her business at www.momagenda.com. |
Julie Goldman
The Original Runner Company, based in Montclair, NJ, is the creator of the world's first non-slip aisle runners for weddings and special events and the largest aisle runner company in the world. With our extensive line of printed and custom painted aisle runners, we can match any decor or theme. Our celebrity clients include; Ashlee Simpson, Kevin Jonas, Nicole Ritchie and Bethany Frankel to name a few. This type of exposure has allowed The Original Runner Company to grow into We are proud to say the we perfect life's grand entrances. 2007 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $435,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $750,000 |
"M3 helped me expand my vision for my company."How Julie grew with M3 Julie Goldman founded The Original Runner Company in 2002. While her concept for non-slip aisle weddings and other special occasions was simple, it was long overdue. Julie not only developed the world’s first product of its kind, but has become internationally recognized as an industry leader. She has used the M3 educational resources and prizes to strengthen her business and how they engage with clients, and benefited immensely from the media exposure received when being named an M3 Awardee. “Since participating the M3 Competition in 2007, Count Me In has helped our business become recognized as a leader in entrepreneurship and social media. We have had some many wonderful opportunities due to our participation in the contest that have both helped us grow, as well as give back, having been shadowed by a female entrepreneur from India and serving as a judge in a national youth entrepreneurship program. The exposure to a diverse group of entrepreneurs has not only expanded my business but also my vision for the company.” Learn more about Julie and her business at www.orginalrunners.com. |
Sarah Endline
sweetriot, Inc. is a New York City based candy maker that sources cacao directly in Latin America, uses recyclable, reusable packaging which features emerging artists, and only uses all-natural, healthy ingredients for its dark chocolate ‘peaces.’ 2007 M3 Awardee Annual revenues prior the winning award: $313,000 Revenues for year ending 2010: $1,400,000 |
"M3 gave me confidence and much needed access to a community of women who are interested in my success."How Sarah grew with M3 While having grown up in a small farming community in the Midwest, Sarah Endline has always had a big view of the world. After studying in Europe, Sarah's university thesis research took her to Hungary, Kenya, Pakistan, Thailand, Mexico, and she has since traveled and worked in more than 50 countries. Through her travels, she developed a passion for cacao and knew she had to share it with others. She founded sweetriot as a means of reinventing the candy world with healthy, whimsical, natural, and socially responsible products. Sarah credits the M3 program and community with helping to enhance her company’s productivity and brand awareness. She has also fostered strong relationships with fellow M3 Awardees, which has helped her grow both personally and professionally. “Count Me In and the Make Mine a Million $ Business program has provided sweetriot valuable technological and financial tools which have allowed us to increase productivity and focus on building the top line revenue. The program has also increased our presence among the media, and fostered some incredible relationships with other entrepreneurs. Learn more about Sarah and her business at www.sweetriot.com. |
