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Local Business Woman Wins Pitch Competition in Latest Make Mine a Million $ Business™ National Event

Nancy Vinkler of WSI We Simplify the Internet in the Philadelphia Region Receives $1,000 Prize in National Business Pitch Competition for Women Entrepreneurs

Also Competing in Next Round for a Spot in Renowned Business Growth Program

Philadelphia, PA October 4, 2011 – Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education, and community support for women entrepreneurs, has named Nancy Vinkler of Audubon, PA as one of 44 Pitch Winners selected in the latest Make Mine a Million $ Business (M3) event, M3 1000, which was held Monday, September 26, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA.

Described as a cross between “The Apprentice” and “American Idol,” the M3 1000 pitch competition invites women business owners with at least $85,000 in annual business revenues that have been in business for two years or more to present their business in a two minute “elevator pitch” to a panel of small business experts and judges.

Pitch Winners came away with a $1000 American Express gift card and an introductory cycle of professional coaching from The Coach Connection (TCC). Pitch winners are also invited to participate in the next round of competition for a chance to be named an M3 Awardee and join the renowned Make Mine a Million $ Business program. M3 Awardees receive a business development package that includes national PR, access to financing as needed to help their businesses grow, a one-year legislative membership with Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), and enrollment in the Blast! Business Accelerator Program. Blast! is a six month group coaching and training program, following a curriculum of key business fundamentals, held in bi-weekly, 75-minute calls for groups of 10 participants and led by a certified business coach/trainer.

Internet Marketing expert, Nancy Vinkler, was among 79 women entrepreneurs from around the country to pitch their businesses at the event in completion for the prize and among 240 total participating women entrepreneurs. The event also featured nationally renowned small business experts and coaches, and dozens of past M3 Awardees sharing advice, expertise, and support. In addition to hearing inspiring keynotes and participating in networking exercises, attendees also took part in business growth education sessions designed to build their capacities around finance management, social media, leadership, and more.

Nancy Vinkler, certified in Advanced Internet Marketing, has been growing her WSI digital marketing business since 2002. Turning web properties into online marketing and revenue generating engines, she offers clients comprehensive digital marketing solutions which can include search marketing, mobile marketing, social media, web analytics, website development and email marketing to name a few. As her client Eleanor Sylvan, Vice President of Marketing for Mobile Mark, Inc. maker of communication antennas stated when she heard the news about the award, said this:

“The Count Me In program, with its comprehensive support services, is an outstanding example of how we can foster business leadership and company growth. I can’t think of a better candidate for this opportunity than Nancy Vinkler. She has always been conscientious and professional. Mobile Mark has been working with Nancy since 2005 and she has gone out of her way to help us build an effective internet presence. With the resources of Count Me In behind her, not only will her own company grow but all of the companies she works with benefit as well. Nancy’s nomination is well deserved and I congratulate the organization on their selection.”

Eleanor Sylvan

Launched in 2005 by Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and founding partner American Express OPEN, the Make Mine a Million $ Business program 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 more than 20 competitions in cities around the country with thousands of women entrepreneurs participating, and grown into a nationwide movement. To date, 28% of M3 program participants have surpassed the $1 million mark in annual revenues versus the 2.6% national average for women business owners. A year-to-date investment of $12 million in the program has yielded $160 million in revenues for M3 Awardees. The ultimate goal of the program is to elevate one million women businesses to over $1M in annual revenue generating $1 trillion in revenues and creating over 4 million jobs by 2020.

“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 for Women’s Economic Independence.”

About WSI – We Simplify the Internet

WSI of the Philadelphia area, an independently owned and operated business of the WSI franchise network, offers digital marketing services to suit the needs of multiple industries. The company uses the world’s largest global Digital Marketing emarketplace and Consultants’ network to accomplish this. WSI Digital Marketing Consultants have helped thousands of small and medium-sized businesses realize their online marketing potential by elevating their Internet presence and profitability to new levels.

About Mobile Mark, Inc.

Mobile Mark, Inc. designs and manufactures site, mobile and device antennas for 137 MHz – 9 GHz. Applications include GPS Tracking & Fleet Management, Cellular GSM/CDMA, LTE, WiMAX, WiFi, RFID, Public Safety, Military and Machine to Machine (M2M). Engineering and custom design services available. Mobile Mark’s global headquarters, which include research facilities and manufacturing plant, are located near Chicago, IL. An additional manufacturing and sales facility is located near Birmingham, UK. Complete information on the company and products can be found on the here.