Founded in 1999 by Iris Burnett and Nell Merlino,[2] Count Me In began as the first online microlender, and in the following years discontinued the microlending program in order to focus on providing the education and resources women need to grow their businesses and find funding from other sources.
Leading the charge and making their organizational vision a reality is co-founder with Iris Burnett, and CEO, Nell Merlino, the creative force behind Take Our Daughters to Work Day.
Merlino was an entrepreneur who founded the organization based upon her personal experiences in growing her own small business.
Facing questions regarding sources of capital, hiring quality talent and financial planning, she was unsure where to find answers.
Following the initial launch, the M3 Competition spread across the country to include women entrepreneurs from every city and in every service or industry.