Feature Story

July 31, 2006

By Terry Timm Moos, News@Cisco

Can technology improve small businesses and help set the stage for higher revenues? Five women-owned businesses will learn firsthand as the chosen West Coast finalists in the Make Mine a $Million Business^TM program, announced today by Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence.

Garnett Newcombe of Human Potential; Kerrie Paige of NovaSim; Diana Mercer of Peace Talks Mediation; Kimberly Martinez of Bonitas International; and Molly Fuller and Ann McCarten-Gibbs of Hands On Gourmet will receive a complete Smart Business Communications system from Cisco Systems, the first network technology sponsor of the Make Mine a $Million program.

Selected from a distinguished group of 20 Make Mine a $Million Business^TM award winners, these five businesses will take advantage of Cisco routing, switching, voice and security technology, as well as a year of service and support, a network assessment with a 'Smart Business Roadmap' session, plus support from the Ingram Micro Services Network for small businesses. The value of the Cisco Smart Business Communications package is $20,000 each.

Make Mine a $Million Business encourages business growth

The Make Mine a $Million Business program is designed to foster a community of one million women-owned businesses and encourage them to reach $1 million or more in annual revenue by 2010. Across the US, women business entrepreneurs are well on their way to reaching these numbers through this unique program.

Count Me In, which provides access to business loans, consultation and education, understands the roadblocks that can hinder some businesses. Often these business owners have nowhere to turn for that all-important first business loan. Nell Merlino, co-founder and CEO of Count Me In, said, "So often, we see businesses with great sales potential, but it's still very difficult for them to get financing." As the nation's leading online microlender, Count Me In uses a unique women-friendly credit scoring system to make loans of $500 to $10,000 available to women across the US.

The organization developed the pilot for Make Mine a $Million Business program in 2005, partnering with OPEN from American ExpressSM for business. "We talked to OPEN from American ExpressSM , and said, 'if more women-owned businesses were at $1 million in revenue, this would be a good thing for the economy - jobs, opportunities, goods and services," said Merlino. "OPEN from American ExpressSM provided support right from the beginning."

Cisco Systems' participation a natural

Providing the technology piece was a natural for Cisco Systems. "I learned about Count Me In 2005 when I met founder, Nell Merlino," said Lauren Ventura, senior director for small and medium-sized business marketing at Cisco. "Immediately, I knew this was a great organization and a great program. It seemed very empowering - with mentoring, coaching, marketing, and financial services," she added. "But I thought, 'where is the technology piece?' I knew Cisco would be a good fit, and very relevant for these business owners, so I knew we should take the next step."

Merlino also learned about processes from Ventura, as they talked about solving distribution problems. Merlino noted, "What we learned in the first year was that in addition to loans, there are other ideas that can help small business - using technology to bring more efficiency, for example."

Striving … and thriving

"In a small business, you try to take care of everything yourself - inventory, payroll, and more, but you don't often have the luxury of looking at network technology that could make things run smoother or faster," Merlino said. "Technology helps you start to think about capacity - and to think in multiples you've never dreamed of," remarked Merlino. "And we want businesses to keep thinking about growing and getting to that $1 million mark. We are pushing them to think bigger."

Ventura believes technology often has been like patchwork. "It's not been holistic - these small businesses haven't had a lot of access to technical help, and are now looking at how to connect data silos," she said.

Ingram Micro Service Network provides specialized consulting for the finalists. "Ingram Micro and our IMSN partners are pleased to be a part of Make Mine a Million," said Jason Beal, group manager, Ingram Micro Services Network. "The IMSN has 55+ woman-owned businesses and the community as a whole has many Cisco certified members with expertise in VoIP -- all of which serve small to mid-size growing businesses. Cisco's VoIP services are right up the IMSN's alley, particularly assessment, recommendation, and installation services."

"Cisco technology fosters growth," Merlino added. Their package of technology, training, and time is generous. It is a powerful mix big and small businesses working together."

Businesses put Cisco to work

The 2006 award finalists are enthusiastic about the program and the opportunities for increased business success through technology. Molly Fuller, co-owner of Hands On Gourmet of San Francisco, CA, a provider of cooking events for team building and celebrations, said, "We are ecstatic about the Cisco award, and can't wait to start using the technology to help us grow our business."

Peace Talks Mediation Services, Inc., based in Playa del Rey, CA, teams lawyers and therapists as mediators to help couples resolve divorce and custody issues amicably, at a reasonable cost. "Mediation is an innovative way to resolve conflict," said Diana Mercer, president. "Cisco's Smart Business Communications solutions will launch our ability to reach and serve couples in conflict seamlessly - whether they are in our office or halfway across the world."

The Count Me In organization is also in the process of putting Cisco technology to work onsite. "We are excited about the possibilities with the Cisco solutions and services," said Merlino. "We are meeting the needs of thousands of people and believe that technology will play a big part in how we manage these contacts and relationships - and how we give people access to services, and scale for the demand."

Not that long ago, Cisco Systems was itself a small business start-up, so the chance to help other small businesses reach higher is appealing. "The opportunities are out there," according to Ventura. "Women-owned businesses are among the first adopters of new technology. We see how far these women in business have come and it is compelling. It is pretty powerful when business owners accelerate their potential," said Ventura.

Terry Timm Moos is a freelance journalist located in Seattle, WA.