Q:  What is SCORE?

A:   SCORE is a 10,500 member volunteer association sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Since 1964, the association has matched volunteer business-management counselors with clients in need of expert advice. SCORE has experts in virtually every area of business management and maintains a national skills roster to help identify the best counselor for a particular client. Volunteer counselors, whose collective experience spans the full range of American enterprise, share their management and technical expertise with both present and prospective small business owners.

Q:  Who are SCORE volunteers?

A:   Many SCORE volunteers are retired business owners or managers, though some members still work. More than 10,500 SCORE volunteers are members of approximately 400 locally organized chapters offering assistance in almost 750 locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Volunteers work in or near their home communities to provide management counseling and training to first-time entrepreneurs and current small business owners. They meet with clients at the SCORE chapter office, at satellite locations, or at the client's place of business. Every effort is made to match a client's needs with a counselor who is experienced in a comparable line of business. All individual and team SCORE counseling is free. There is a nominal fee for training workshops and seminars. Best of all, SCORE members volunteer because they have enjoyed successful careers in business and want to give something back to their communities. They selflessly give of their time and expertise so that more small businesses will find success.

Q:  What business assistance is offered?

A:   Through in-depth counseling and training, SCORE volunteers help prospective and established small business owners and managers identify problems, determine the causes and find solutions. SCORE chapters offer low-cost pre-business workshops that address topics like assessing entrepreneurial potential, developing a start-up checklist, selecting a legal entity, creating a business plan and securing funding. SCORE counselors also help successful firms review their distribution channels, survey expansion, modify products and meet other business challenges. Other workshops offer experienced business owners information on myriad subjects, including starting a home-based business, purchasing a franchise, defining a marketing and advertising strategy, implementing a waste-reduction plan, setting merchandise prices and beginning an exporting venture.

Q:  Is my business eligible?

A:   Any small business can obtain help from SCORE. Whether you are considering starting your own business, have a business that is experiencing problems, are ready to expand, or need some other type of advice, SCORE can help. The approach is confidential and personal. You don't need to be applying for or to have an SBA loan to participate in the program. In fact, an idea is all that is necessary. Consultation and counseling before a business start-up is an important part of SCORE's service.

Q:  How does SCORE help women entrepreneurs?

A:   SCORE is serving an increasing number of women entrepreneurs. Over 40 percent of SCORE's individual counseling clients are women and more than 4,000 women a month attend SCORE workshops. Women now employ 11 million people and own one-third of the total number of businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Yet while women continue to open businesses at twice the rate of men, their average receipts are substantially lower. SCORE is working to change that.

Q:  How can SCORE help me?

A:   Score is dedicated to helping all current and potential business owners realize their entrepreneurial dreams. Through individual counseling and group workshops, SCORE can help you with every phase of starting and growing a successful business. Women SCORE counselors also offer you a unique perspective as role models. From developing a business plan to getting financing, from management to expansion, SCORE is here to help - and it's free.