Count Me In would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who participated in the Office Depot Success Strategies Silent Auction. The Office Depot Success Strategies Silent Auction benefits women all over the country whose dreams and ambitions to become business owners are made a reality each day through loans, insights, strategies and tools to start, grow or enhance their business endeavors.

To date, the Office Depot Success Strategies Silent Auction has raised over $150,000 which will go to several hundred women over the next year to start their businesses. In addition to the loans made to women, Count Me In continues to support the growth and professional enhancement of our loan recipients by sponsoring them to attend many conferences such as the world-class annual Office Depot Success Strategies for Businesswomen conference.

Count Me In is extremely grateful to all of the Office Depot employees and managers, vendors and suppliers, public officials and many others who have made generous donations to ensure the success of the Silent Auction. Not only does this auction raise funds to support Count Me In's vital efforts, but it is incredibly successful in building awareness of our organization and our mission. We are continuously grateful to Office Depot and would like to share one CMI entrepreneurs insight on how the conference affected her:

"Inspiration and real-time resources are what I took away from the Office Depot Success Strategies for businesswomen conference. Office Depot Success Strategies for Businesswomen conference reminded me of the first time I boarded an airplane. I remember having this incredible mix of excitement and anxiety about going somewhere far and different and getting there faster than any other means of transportation. While I had been on bikes, in cars, and even motorcycles before, nothing quite compared to the moment I first stepped inside a plane. For me, the Office Depot Success Strategies for Businesswomen conference gave me a similar feeling.

From walking through the hallways and into the meeting rooms to speaking with women and listening to the stories of Dr. Maya Angelou, Alexis Herman, Barbara Corcoran and Nely Galán, I felt that my business, my professional aspirations were going somewhere. But not just somewhere, but rather towards my professional aspirations. That I was reaching my destination and reaching it much faster than I could by any other means. The Office Deport Success Strategies for Businesswomen conference really met and exceeded my expectations and I look forward to next year!"

Titanya Hughes

The comments above is just one of many stories we here from our loan recipients all over the country who attend this conference. Thank you once again!