Read the SCORE News Release.
SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” honors San Diego SCORE for exceptional small business service to entrepreneurs. San Diego SCORE earned National Chapter of the Year honors for excellent client satisfaction, exceptional growth in serving entrepreneurs, and successful community outreach. Learn more about San Diego SCORE at www.score-sandiego.org.
San Diego SCORE District Director Rod Means and Chapter Chair Monty Dickinson were honored by SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) during National Small Business Week 2009 in Washington, D.C. This is the second time San Diego SCORE has won this honor.
San Diego SCORE provided 11,759 services last year, including 4,004 face-to-face and 2,554 online mentoring sessions. The chapter presented more than 200 workshops to 4,607 attendees. In addition, the chapter has grown substantially with new branch locations in the San Diego metro region and a Web video camera that allows volunteers to provide mentoring to clients in nearby Imperial County.
San Diego SCORE works with local organizations representing a diverse range of communities to recruit minority and women volunteers. The chapter offers a bi-monthly Women’s Business Roundtable Breakfast, which provides networking opportunities and business tips for 150 attendees.
Other finalists for National SCORE Chapter of the Year include: First Runner-up Grand Strand SCORE of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Second Runner-Up Grand Rapids SCORE in Mich.; Asheboro SCORE in N.C.; Little Rock SCORE in Ark.; SCORE Naples in Fla.; Treasure Valley SCORE in Boise, Idaho; and Tulsa SCORE in Okla.
Client Testimonials
"SCORE Counselor Henry Olbricht helped me set realistic sales goals and suggested I present conservative financial numbers to potential investors,” says Tony Clarke, owner of Airdale Brewing Company. “It was through SCORE that I met a lender who was open to financing a start-up."
"SCORE Counselor Paul Hollenbach explained how important it is to have open lines of credit for future expansion," says Jamie Kocher, co-owner of Backyard X-Scapes. "San Diego SCORE has been a great source for information and guidance. I cannot say enough good things about them and how much they have helped us."
"After I started Social Betty, I contacted SCORE and was linked up with San Diego SCORE Counselor Dick Leslie, who has been instrumental in helping me obtain financing, hire a team of sales contractors and create a pay structure and work parameters," says Heather Nelson, owner of Social Betty. "I look forward to working with Dick and San Diego SCORE in the near future on the company’s strategy for growth."
"San Diego SCORE helped us with numerous aspects of opening our restaurant by pairing us with a diversity of counselors," says Matt Gordon, co-owner of Urban Solace. "Their connections and knowledge of bank loans helped identify lenders willing to finance a start-up business during a recession."
Watch NBC San Diego interview Monty Dickinson and Matt Gordon
Watch CW San Diego interview Monty Dickinson and Matt Gordon
Watch KUSI San Diego interview Monty Dickinson |
