DHL To Recognize Small-Business Equity Award Recipients In Washington State

SEATTLE -- April 13, 2006, Ten Local Business Owners Receive Second Distribution of DHL Grants to Promote Microenterprise Development

DHL, the world’s leading global express delivery and logistics company, will recognize the recipients of cash grants distributed in the form of ten DHL equity awards to Seattle-area micro-businesses on Thursday, April 13. The event marks the second phase of the “DHL Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs” business development partnership with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the national microenterprise development trade and membership association.

DHL is working with the Washington Community Alliance for Self Help (CASH), the Seattle-based AEO affiliate that provides low-income women, people with disabilities and other underserved individuals with access to capital and business development training to assist their small businesses by providing the working capital and in-kind services that are critical to their success. Washington CASH held a contest in March 2006 to determine the DHL award recipients.

The DHL Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs program, now in its second year with AEO, provides financial awards and pre-paid DHL ShipReady shipping products designed to assist underserved microentrepreneurs in the development of their businesses and provides practical assistance to low and moderate income microenterprises, enabling them to strengthen their shipping functions. The program started last year with recipients in South Florida, Houston and Phoenix.

“We’ve heard and seen numerous DHL/AEO program success stories about last year’s microbusiness grant recipients who have used their equity awards to increase their business by purchasing equipment, buying advertising and investing in software,” said Melany Brown, executive director of Washington CASH. “We’re confident that these types of successes can be replicated here in the Seattle area.”

“At DHL, we’ve made a commitment to addressing the needs of small- to mid-sized businesses,” said Kelly Keogh, director of corporate citizenship, DHL. “The success of entrepreneurs in markets such as Houston, South Florida and Phoenix proved beyond any doubt that we’ve focused our efforts in the right place. Given the opportunity, our partnership with Washington CASH and the grant recipients in the Seattle area should also yield increased business and profits for participants.”

A hands-on DHL employee volunteer project incorporated into the program also gives DHL employees the opportunity to make personal professional service contributions to selected area microentrepreneurs. As part of the “DHL Cares Day” initiative, DHL volunteers will provide Seattle-area microbusinesses hands-on guidance on any number of issues related to small businesses, including shipping and distribution and customer service.

An awards ceremony will be held at the Washington CASH office, located at 1912 East Madison St., Seattle, WA 98122 on April 13, 2006 at 4:30 pm. The grant recipients of the ten Washington state microenterprises $1,000 cash awards are:

- Buddy-Girl Greetings in Bremerton, owner Kisha Baggs
- Realite Networks in Seattle, owner Malania Calugas
- The Convergence Center in Seattle, owner Ericka Jackson
- Elizabeth Morris Textiles & Designs in Seattle, owner Elizabeth Morris
- Island Green Clean in Bainbridge Island, owner Jill Paull
- Kolmara, LLC in Seattle, owner Mara Palmer
- Melodious Designs & Business Services in Seattle, owner Melody Preston
- JM Accents in Issaquah, owner Jean Marie Reid
- Art International in Seattle, owner Yvette Simone
- Rainbow People Designs in Kent, owner Brenda Williams

About AEO
AEO’s mission is to support the development of strong and effective U.S. microenterprise initiatives to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing and expanding businesses. For more information on AEO, please visit www.microenterpriseworks.org.

About DHL
At DHL, Customer Service is back in shipping. Our mission is to provide the most flexible, personable and enjoyable experience in the shipping industry for our customers.

DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. Over 285,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers’ expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL’s international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.

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