Local Business Woman Named As Finalist for the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition ™ in Newark, New Jersey

Online, June 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Media Contacts:

Ann Noder Amy Litt
CEO/President Manager, New Media and Communications
Pitch Public Relations™ Count Me In
[email protected] [email protected]
Phone: 480.263.1557 212.245.1245 x 201

Local Business Woman Named As Finalist for the
Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition ™ in Newark, New Jersey

~ Finalists compete for business coaching and
other prizes to help catapult their business revenues to a million dollars~

San Francisco, CA June 10, 2010 - Business growth program, the Make Mine A Million $ Business Competition selected Johanna Lopez Miyaki of Tastemakers International Inc. as one of the business women finalists to compete for an awards package at the upcoming Newark, New Jersey Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition event on June 15. The exciting event will feature female entrepreneurs from across the nation who will compete for business development packages that include business coaching, marketing, PR, and technological assistance to help their businesses grow into million-dollar enterprises. The event also includes 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 provides these finalists with the opportunity to present their business in a 3 minute "elevator pitch" to a panel of business experts and a live audience. Eight winners will be chosen by the audience and judges who collaborate on the selection process.

Johanna is a principal at Tastemakers, a marketing group that specializes in marketing beverage brands. Services include development and execution of special events, mobile tours, promotions, consumer sampling and brand education programs as well as staffing solutions and brand strategy. Tastemakers currently works with Skyy Sprits, Proximo Spirits and Nolet Spirits and has worked with many other premium beverage brands including Damrak Gin, Kissui Vodka and Voss Water. Tastemakers has also worked with industries including the CPG and electronics industries and provides pro bono marketing and event services for Hoops 4 Hope and The Ryder Foundation.

Finalists 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

page 2

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.