Charlotte, NC – Business growth program, out of over 400 applicants, Make Mine A Million $ Business selected Lia Lucero of Showpiece Enterprises as an award winner at the Charlotte, NC event on October 7, 2008 at the Blake Hotel.  The exciting event featured female entrepreneurs from North and South Carolina who competed for business development packages that include money, marketing, mentoring and technology assistance to help their businesses grow into million-dollar enterprises.   The event also included educational and network opportunities in addition to keynote speeches by Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Lieutenant Governor Beverly Purdue and Count Me In Founder, Nell Merlino.

Described as a cross between “The Apprentice” and “American Idol,” the competition provided the twenty finalists the opportunity to present their business in a 3 minute “elevator pitch” to a panel of business experts and a live audience.  The winners were chosen by the audience and judges who collaborate on the selection process.

Lia Lucero, founded Showpiece Enterprises, Inc. in 2003.  Showpiece is a face-to-face marketing firm specializing in Eco-Interactive Solutions for both large and small businesses.  Its  focus is creating and producing custom trade show booths, exhibits, graphics and cabinetry made from environmentally sustainable materials. Showpiece  offers planet-conscious customers the option to contribute to the global “Green Effort” by using earth-friendly materials to meet their business needs. “Showpiece is positioning itself as a leader in the green movement by employing standards by which others will compare themselves.” Lucero said at the event.

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 19 competitions in cities around the country and grown into a nationwide movement.  For the Charlotte event, more than 200 applications were submitted in hopes of securing one of the finalist spots.

“We thrilled by the eagerness of women in the region to participate in this event,” 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 program 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 blue-chip national sponsors include American Express OPEN, AIG, Cisco, FedEx, Jet Blue, and Dell. Sponsors provide an array of products and services that serve as invaluable tools for growth.