2ND ANNUAL REGION-WIDE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ANNOUNCED

Free business plan writing seminars to be offered

Download StartRight! Business Plan Competition Flyer

Rockville, Maryland (October 28, 2004)— The second annual “StartRight!” business plan competition for women entrepreneurs in the DC region will kick off with a series of free business plan writing seminars beginning November 18. The business plan competition and writing seminars are sponsored by Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) and the Rockville Chamber of Commerce.

The free writing seminars, which are open to both competitors and non-competitors, will be held at the offices of REDI at 95 Monroe Street in Rockville. The November 18 seminar will be led by Don Moragne of The Success Zone, Inc. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A second course has been scheduled for December 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be led by Jeff Miller of Action International Business Coaching. Lunch will be provided on both dates.

“The business plan competition is designed to accelerate the start-up process for women-owned businesses in the region,” said Sally Sternbach, Executive Director for REDI. “Women entrepreneurs who participate in the writing courses will acquire the necessary skills and strategies for developing a successful business plan while getting a chance to win several cash prizes. One of last year’s
competitors noted that, even if she did not win, the business plan’s positive impact on her business made it all worthwhile,” she said.

The StartRight! business plan competition is open to businesses that are at least 51% women-owned, active and in business for two years or less, and qualified to do business in Maryland, the District of Columbia or Virginia. The deadline for submitting Executive Summaries for the business plan competition is February 4. The complete business plan is due February 9. Interested applicants are not required to participate in the writing seminars.

Participants in the StartRight! competition will have an opportunity to win one of several cash prizes and supplies and services from sponsors, while receiving invaluable advice and support from an experienced panel of judges. The winner of the competition will be announced at the annual Women in Business Conference and Tradeshow on March 11, 2005.

The competition was first introduced as part of the 2004 Women in Business Conference. The award went to Meena Tharmaratnam, owner and founder of Ibhana Creations, a women’s accessories import company.
For further information about the StartRight! business plan competition for women entrepreneurs, contact REDI at (301) 315-8096 or visit www.RockvilleREDI.org. Information can also be obtained through the Rockville Chamber of Commerce at (301) 443-9300 or at www.RockvilleChamber.org.

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About the business plan writing seminar instructors

Donald Carrol Moragne has been an entrepreneur since 1987 and is the founder and principal in three financial services firms and a seminar development and production firm located in Silver Spring, Maryland. The three financial services firms – The Success Zone, The Tax Zone, and The Wealth Zone – are combined into a unique concept which provides business, tax and financial consulting in one place. Morgne is a skilled management and financial consultant with an aggregate of more than 30 years of business management experience. He has lectured at several universities, including George Washington University, Howard University and Montgomery College on tax, business and financial management topics. For further information visit www.inthezoneonline.com.

Jeff Miller is a licensed business coach with Action International, a global network for business coaches who provide small and medium size business owners with short-term assistance and long-term training through a mentoring program. Miller grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and small business retailers. He brings to his coaching the conviction that the guiding principle in business must be integrity, dedication and vision. He had over two decades of experience with the same family-run business, working his way up from sales to Executive Vice President.

Miller is also involved in his local community as a board member of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Miller graduated Magna Cum Laude from the City University of New York. For further information visit www.actioncoaching.com/jeffmiller/

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The mission of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is to strengthen and broaden the economic base of Rockville. As part of that mission, REDI promotes Rockville as a great place to work and live; assists businesses looking to relocate or expand in Rockville; facilitates the site selection, permitting and licensing processes; serves as a liaison to the people and programs in other levels of government; and maintains and disseminates information on the community, workforce and economic climate of Rockville, where we are “Known for the Companies We Keep”.