Every Business Needs Guidance

DELAWARE SCORE OFFERS IT FREE OF CHARGE

BY JOHN C. FRANKE

SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration and is the nation’s largest network of volunteer expert business mentors. Since 1964, SCORE has been helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve sustainability.

Represented by hundreds of chapters across the United States, encompassing 10,000 volunteer business mentors that provide in-depth resources and executive management support, SCORE’s mission is to help entrepreneurs establish a small business and grow or enhance overall business operations.

SCORE has developed a proven, step-by-step approach, which helps clients define the benefits of their product or service; identify their ideal customers, goals, and objectives; draw up an executable business plan; and lay out the path for business success. SCORE also conducts educational workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions that provide information and techniques for starting, managing, and growing a successful business.

Delaware SCORE maintains a core of experienced business mentors who have served in executive positions in a variety of retail, commercial, industrial, educational, and nonprofit enterprises throughout the Delmarva region and nationwide. These mentors provide free, confidential business counseling to small business entrepreneurs to draft business plans, manage finances, assess operations, develop marketing strategies, and acquire funding. Mentors are an invaluable resource because their business expertise helps to guide entrepreneurs through what can be a complicated process. How to plan, how to market, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to maximize a small business owners’ success are just some examples of how a mentor can help.

For small business guidance or to become a SCORE mentor, visit www.delaware.score.org or call 877-572-6555.

John C. Franke is vice chairman of Delaware SCORE.