Know the SCORE to Start Your Small Business
by Rebecca Button on November 21st, 2007
Individuals who are considering starting their own small businesses should begin with a consultation with SCORE (http://www.score.org ), the Service Corps of Retired Executives. Established in 1964, SCORE offers free counseling and assistance to entrepreneurs who are hoping to begin a small business. Not only can this organization assist individuals by telling them where to begin, but its members can also guide them along every step of the way in an effort to ensure their success. SCORE is a resource partner of the Small Business Administration, or SBA.
Several thousand former small business owners or executives run SCORE. Some of these individuals might be retired while others are still working. The members of the Service Corps of Retired Executives or SCORE volunteer their time to mentor others who are trying to start up their own small business but do not know where to begin.
Many important decisions are made whenever a new business is in its beginning stages. Getting it right is important and getting the proper advice on how to do so is essential. Millions of people have taken advantage of the expertise and knowledge of the members of SCORE since its inception. More than 380 locations are scattered about the United States.
Individuals who live in nationwide locations that do not have an office near them can still access information through email. In addition to receiving counseling, budding entrepreneurs can receive reference materials to help them get started with the opening of their small business.
Furthermore, SCORE runs comprehensive workshops that are designed to provide the basics of starting your own business. Important topics such as how to write a business plan, how to hire the right employees, and how to maintain good bookkeeping practices are covered. Another important topic that has recently developed due to technological advances is one that deals with how to use the Internet to market and improve a small business to grow. A small fee is often charged for attendance at one of the workshops to help defray the cost of setting one up.
The members of the Service Corps of Retired Executives or SCORE are skilled financial and small business individuals. If the individual that you work with does not have the answers that you need, he has access to thousands of individuals who might. Why not take advantage of learning from someone who has already learned the ropes of starting a small business?