SBA Teams with Count Me In to Promote Women`s Entrepreneurship

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The U.S. Small Business Administration and Count Me In for Women`s Economic
Independence (CMI) launched a cooperative Strategic Alliance Memorandum to
promote opportunities for women entrepreneurs through education, training and
counseling. The launch, held in Washington, D.C. at SBA`s headquarters, also
recognized Women`s Small Business Month.

The alliance between SBA and CMI will help to strengthen and expand small
business development opportunities, particularly those to women entrepreneurs.
The alliance is intended to promote collaboration on the development of
resources and information to benefit the needs of the small business community,
and of women-owned small businesses. SBA and CMI will develop a joint podcast on
business start-up and financing, as well as a Web chat on small business issues
affecting women entrepreneurs.

"SBA shares a common mission with Count Me In to help encourage more women to be
entrepreneurs and to give them the tools to succeed as business owners," said
SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "Coordinating efforts with this tremendous
organization will help to ensure that we reach even more women-owned small
businesses."

Speakers at the event included Administrator Mills and Nell Merlino, president
and CEO of Count Me In. They addressed an audience of small business owners,
local business women and SBA employees, and recognized oovoo design, a
woman-owned small business that has thrived during the challenging economy.

Pauline Lewis, owner of oovoo design, is a wholesaler of unique handbags and a
past recipient of CMI`s Make Mine a Million $ Business Award that encourages
women entrepreneurs to increase their revenues and develop their businesses.
Lewis received counseling and training for her business from the SBA`s Women`s
Business Center of Northern Virginia. The center is part of a network of more
than 100 WBCs that provide education and training to help women start and grow
small businesses. Barbara Wrigley, executive director of the Women`s Business
Center of Northern Virginia, was also highlighted during the event.

For more information on how SBA can help you start or grow your business, visit
www.sba.gov.

Release Number: 09-69

U.S. Small Business Administration
Cecelia Taylor, 202-401-3059
or
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

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