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Triangle women compete in 'Million $ Business'

Six Triangle women business owners are competing in the "Make Mine a Million $ Business" contest being held Tuesday in Charlotte.

"Make Mine a Million" is a program from Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence and founding partner, American Express OPEN. The program was created to address the fact that of the more than 10 million women entrepreneurs in the United States only 3 percent have hit $1 million in revenue. The goal: for 1 million women to build million-dollar businesses by 2010.

The program is hosting events (a cross between "The Apprentice" and "American Idol") across the country, where women are coached in marketing, technology assistance and the like. For each event, several finalists are picked to pitch their business to an audience and a panel of judges.

Winners get financing and mentoring from a "dream" team of coaches and business experts, platinum business cash rebate credit card, a financial health analysis, and promotion in OPEN marketing and media campaigns from American Express OPENSM, a financial makeover, a $1,000 shopping spree at Dell and FedEx discounts.

Participating in the event in Charlotte are:

* Denise Bennett of DS Bennett Business Strategies, whose Raleigh company works with commercial lending clients.

* Jess McLamb of The Roper Group in Raleigh.

* Wendy Coulter, whose Hummingbird Creative Group in Cary does marketing, advertising, graphic design and public relations.

* Jessica Bottesch, who started of Empower Personal Training in Durham four years ago to provide personal training, nutrition and massage therapy.

* Barbra Denison of Cranky Creative Group in Durham, who says her business specializes in cutting-edge media. It uses film printing technology to wrap cafe tables, conveyor belts in the checkout line and other unused spaces with advertising.

* Gail Corrigan, a business broker, who started Corrigan Associates in Creedmoor in 2005.

MEETINGS

ASTD-RTA (WORKPLACE LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE) MUNCH & MINGLE: 5:30 p.m., and a Membership Committee Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Cafe Carolina, Harrison Ave., Cary. Contact: www.astd-rta.org.

AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION: Tar Heel Capital chapter meeting, 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, N.C. State University Club, 4200 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. $15. Register: Sydney Armstrong, bgleresq@gmail.com.

INTERNATIONAL FACILITY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION: Greater Triangle chapter meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, RBC Center, Raleigh. Tim Pennigar of Duke UNiversity Health Center and Blake Talbott of BBH Design on "Demystifying the Green Roof." Members $20, nonmembers $40. Reservations: 876-7550 or www.ifmatriangle.org.

ASSOCIATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS: 5:15 p.m. Thursday, University Club, 4200 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Lee Congdon, chief information officer at Red Hat, on "Business Value of Open Source." Guests $30. Reservations: www.rtp-aitp.org or 875-9305.

TRIANGLE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, Radisson at RTP. Program will be a panel discussion on mentor experiences and advice on becoming and finding a mentor. Members and first-time guests $25, nonmembers $35. Register: bpwtriangle@yahoo.com or Carol Wolford, 732-8960.

SEMINARS, CLASSES & EVENTS

DIRECT SALES SEMINAR: Belinda Ellsworth of Step Into Success, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Radisson Hotel, 150 Park Drive, RTP. $40 in advance or $45 at the door. Reservations: www.stepintosuccess.com or Donna Zec, 931-525-3552 or e-mail Donna@stepintosuccess.com.