Marilyn had spent $3,000 on a website to revive her business, but the developer was unresponsive and the project unsatisfactory. Then Erica Levin, a SCORE client, referred her to SCORE mentor Peg Corwin for help with online marketing.  Together she and her mentor revised the moatskennedy.com website, which she can now access and edit herself. Peg advised on appropriate copy, search engine optimization, and blogging. She helped her find a developer by providing names of three from whom to get quotes.

Peg also advised Marilyn on her social media presence, helping her fill in her LinkedIn profile and organize and network with target clients through it.

Marilyn concludes, “Peg Corwin has helped me with the social media, my website, SEO, and marketing more than I even knew I needed. I am 200% ahead of where I was before she worked with me.”

Grants Fuel Optimism and Provide Access to Training and Growth
 

Topeka, Kansas, Dec. 6, 2012 In an unprecedented effort to expand year-round support for small business growth and success, Sam’s Club and the Sam’s Club Giving Program have forged a collaboration with national non-profit SCORE to provide more than $500,000 in supplies, training and holiday spirit to 102 U.S. small businesses (two in each state plus Washington, DC). 

The grant to SCORE will provide each business owner with access and travel to a two-day educational event to help them implement strategies to grow their business. The grant will also fund three regional educational workshop events in 2013 hosted by SCORE for any small business in those regions. Combined, these events aim to reach over one thousand small businesses. The 102 small businesses in the Sam’s Club Holiday Giving campaign were chosen in part by local SCORE chapters based on each business’s need and commitment to ongoing learning and growth. To see a full list of small businesses benefitting from the Sam’s Club – SCORE alliance, visit SamsClub.com/giving.

CPAP Supplies & Services in Topeka is one of two businesses selected from Kansas. CPAP in Topeka “Improving your quality of sleep one night at a time”. Each business will receive a $1,000 Sam’s Club gift card in addition to training through SCORE, an organization dedicated to helping small businesses grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.

“Working with SCORE has provided a foundation to help my business grow,” said Cindy Greene, CRT, owner of CPAP Supplies & Services LLC. “The access to tools for my business from Sam’s Club and the additional training will really help me take my business to the next level.”

“Our collaboration with SCORE allows Sam’s Club to provide the tools and goods that small business owners need to enter the New Year with increased confidence and optimism,” said John Boswell, senior vice president of marketing, member insights and ecommerce for Sam’s Club. “Everyday our associates strive to positively impact the lives of small businesses that are so important to the fabric and success of our country.  The Christmas season is certainly no exception.”

The 102 businesses were selected by SCORE based on each business’ need and commitment to ongoing learning and growth. SCORE will utilize the grant from Sam’s Club to sponsor a two-day “High Speed Growth Seminar” especially for the 102 winners, a special training program featuring key executives and workshops on attracting customers, branding, online marketing and developing a sales plan. The grant will also fund continued regional and local training for these businesses with SCORE mentors. 

“Small businesses truly are the backbone of our economy, particularly during lean times,” said W. Kenneth Yancey, Jr., CEO, SCORE.  “With the support of Sam’s Club this holiday season, these small businesses will be in a position to take the critical next step in their evolution.”