Women Entrepreneurs

3 Tips for Female Entrepreneurs- Rohit Arora

Date
Tue, 2012-09-11 13:28

More than 8.3 million firms -- or 29% of all businesses -- are now owned by women.  Surprisingly, women-owned businesses employ 40% more people than the top three employers (McDonald’s, IBM and Wal*Mart) in the U.S. combined, and between 1997 and 2012, they grew at a pace that was 1.5 times the national average, according to American Express OPEN's State of Women-Owned Businesses Report.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of resources for budding female entrepreneurs.

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Razor Chemical, Inc.

Razor Chemical, Inc. was started when owner Suni McClelland brought her idea for a cleaner that is harmless to the user and the environment to chemists at the University of Arkansas. Soon a line of cleaners were developed that are among the safest on the commercial market. In their first four years, Razor Chemical moved or expanded their facilities each year to keep up with the demand and growth of their business. During this time of expansion, and through the past two decades, Razor has relied on SCORE to help advise them on business decisions big and small. No matter how large Razor Chemicals grows they constantly refer to their mission statement of, “We will give our customers the best cleaners at the best price with the best service”, to stay true to the founding principles of the company that have made them a SCORE success story. 

Razor Chemicals Inc. Website

Owner/Founder
Suni McClelland
My Location
1305 North Hills Blvd, suite 119
North Little Rock AR 72114
United States
Revenue
1,000,000
Employees
6
Year Company Formed
1992
My Successes

For over twenty years Suni McClelland has worked with SCORE to help Razor Chemical, Inc. with business expansion, government contracting, and a slew of other areas that have popped up over the life of her business. Razor has developed a variety of cleaners including Razor Green, which is the finest stainless steel cleaner that anyone has ever seen while being environmentally safe and people friendly. To go along with their large selection of cleaners Razor has developed a line of accessories that are aimed at helping manufacturers minimize chemical waste and saving them money. Now Razor Chemical, Inc. is a company that is running debt free and making seven figure profits annually, thanks in part to the assistance of Razor’s SCORE mentors. 

What's Great About My Mentor?

When asked about working with SCORE Suni McClelland says, "I am truly grateful to have this local resource. Being able to pick up the phone and ask for help, or recently for advice, is a gift." Razor Chemical has relied on SCORE since they began producing chemicals in 1992, and they continue to stay in contact with SCORE Mentors like Bob Smith today. No matter the area, SCORE finds a way to help Razor Chemical including with marketing, inventory control, and manufacting. It's a relationship that has seen Razor Chemical go from an idea at the University of Arkansas into a profitable business that continues to grow beyond expectations. 

How SCORE Helped

SCORE has been there for Suni McClelland and Razor Chemical, Inc. since 1992. Over twenty years Razor Chemical has relied on SCORE mentors to answer questions and give advice on a variety of business topics. When Razor was starting up, SCORE was easily accessible to assist with identifying and taking advantage of growth opportunities. As Razor has grown, SCORE has been only a phone call away to lend an ear to Suni McClelland when she finds herself facing a business decision. Suni looks back on her twenty years working with SCORE and says, “We are debt free and average about 1,000,000 in sales. Thank you to all the SCORE staff and to Bob Smith for his advice.”

The Peacock Room

Detroit was one of the areas hit hardest by the Great Recession. The auto industry that held the city together was hanging on by a thread. The town went from being one of the biggest in the nation to having a population less than Columbus, OH. Normally this wouldn’t be the backdrop for a SCORE Success Story, but that is exactly what happened when Rachel Lutz found SCORE. Rachel began meeting with SCORE mentors about her idea for a clothing accessory boutique after she opened the doors to the Peacock Room in late 2011. She then attended workshops on Business Plans and Financing. With advice from SCORE and help from friends & family, Rachel was able to turn the Peacock Room into a smashing success by the end of 2012.

 
Owner/Founder
Rachel Lutz
My Location
15 E. Kirby #110
Detroit MI 48202
United States
Revenue
330,000
Employees
1
Year Company Formed
2011
My Successes

The biggest success for Rachel Lutz is becoming her own boss. She believed in herself and took the risk that her vision for a business would pay off. In less than a year she found that she was right. She found a building in mid-town Detroit and has been able to use her store front to turn a profit that was triple her original projections. By the end of her first year she is on track to do $330,000 in sales. As 2012 comes to an end Rachel has already begun to look at expanding into neighboring space to widen the Peacock Room. She credits part of her success to working with her SCORE mentors, Henry Moses and Jim Muir. 

What's Great About My Mentor?

Henry Moses and Jim Muir, mentors from the SCORE Detroit chapter, met with Rachel Lutz after she opened the doors to the Peacock Room. Rachel was told about SCORE by a loan officer. A few weeks after opening her business she was face to face with her SCORE mentors, who helped her figure out the best ways to ensure a successful launch. She then began to attend the SCORE Business Plan and Financing workshops. Working with SCORE, Ms. Lutz was able to iron out the wrinkles in her plans for the Peacock Room. With the help of SCORE, she finds herself on the way to a profitable first year. One so success that she has already begun planning the expansion of the Peacock room into a building the size of the Nordstroms she used to work at. 

How SCORE Helped

Before starting the Peacock Room, Rachel Lutz worked for a luxury home store and Nordstroms. She had spent years working for others. Eventually Ms. Lutz decided to be her own boss. After starting her business, the first step to success was to find assistance by coming to SCORE. Rachel was directed to SCORE by a loan officer in her area. 

She met with Henry Moses and Jim Muir, then attended a SCORE workshop on Business Plans. Ms. Lutz wrote up a very good business plan and continued to update it as she went through the start-up process. Finally, while continuing to work with her mentors, she attended a SCORE workshop on Financing for her business. 
 
Using credit cards and interest free loans from friends and family, Rachel was able to open the doors on the Peacock Room in mid-town Detroit. She took a 2,000 square foot building in Detroit and turned it into her vision. Using Facebook and a website, she has promoted her business and is on the way to turning a profit in 2012 that is triple her original projection from her business plan.
 

SCORE Success Stories

Date
Wed, 2012-08-29 14:19

SCORE Ventura County mentor Michael Scotto showcases how their chapter aids small businesses and we hear from a few clients who have succeeded with the help of their SCORE chapter.

 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

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The UPS Store: SCORE-ing Big Points for Mentors and Small Business

Date
Fri, 2012-08-24 14:16

This year, The UPS Store sponsored the Outstanding Franchise Small Business award at the 2012 SCORE Awards, which provide recognition to outstanding small business owners that have demonstrated unique vision, innovation and achievement.  

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Local ‘Teenpreneur’ Scores National Recognition

Date
Tue, 2012-08-21 09:05

Bridgeja' Baker, 14, owner of Creative Jewelry by Bridgeja’, was honored at the SCORE Foundation’s annual award ceremony for her unique vision, innovation and achievement. The young entrepreneur has been chosen as this year’s recipient for the Outstanding Minority-Owned Small Business award given by The SCORE Foundation; sponsored by AT&T.

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Haile Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Originally I wanted to start a T-Shirt printing business, but was also interested in using my Psychotherapy skills.  Using the skills that my SCORE counselor gave me, I was able to use both my art and my Psychotherapy training to establish my Point of Change Counseling company.  I have been in this new direction for my career and am loving it.

Thank you SCORE

 

Owner/Founder
Julia H. Robbins, LCSW
My Location
4965 SW 91st Terr. Suite A
Gainesville FL 32608
United States
Employees
1
Year Company Formed
2009
My Successes

I am in the career that really suits me.  Helping people with both my counseling skills and my art.  My practice is successful.

What's Great About My Mentor?

My Mentor was great.  He was kind, helped me with my business plan and record keeping and led me to make good decisions.  While I did not stay with the business idea I had originally, the transition to my current Private Practice is both enjoyable and rewarding.

How SCORE Helped

About five years ago, I made an appointment and met with one of your associates. He was extremely helpful in explaining how to formulate a business plan. I felt very comfortable asking questions, and my questions were always answered helpfully and with respect. I am now the sole proprieter of a psychotherapy private practice here in Gainesville. I owe a thank you to SCORE for getting me pointed in the right direction. I would highly reccommend SCORE's services!

Julia H. Robbins, LCSW

poccounseling @poccounseling.com

Education

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Private Practice

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A Quick Reference Guide for Start-up and Existing Small Businesses in Austin and San Antonio

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Published Aug. 10, 2012 application/pdf icon

Following a number of years in the insurance industry, five years ago I left my job to have a child and be a stay-at-home mom. Now that my son is beginning school, rather than returning to work, I’m thinking about starting a business. What advice can you offer?  Read more...

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Massage Envy - Middletown Receives National Recognition as Outstanding Franchise Small Business from The SCORE Foundation Sponsored by The UPS Store

Date
Fri, 2012-08-10 14:43

Washington DC─ Massage Envy - Middletown has been chosen as this year’s recipient for the prestigious Outstanding Franchise Small Business award given by The SCORE Foundation and sponsored by The UPS Store. SCORE, -www.SCORE.org- mentors to America’s small business, serves over 350,000 clients annually and honors their most successful clients at The SCORE Foundation’s 4th Annual SCORE Awards Gala celebrating excellence on Thursday, August 16th in New Orleans, LA.

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