| Atlanta, GA—SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” honors Atlanta SCORE as the National SCORE Chapter of the Year. Atlanta SCORE earned this award for exceptional growth in the services provided to local entrepreneurs, the success of its public outreach, and excellent client satisfaction.
Chapter Chair Steve Bloom and Atlanta SCORE were honored by SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) during Small Business Week 2008 in Washington, D.C. This is the second time Atlanta SCORE has won this honor. They were previously recognized as chapter of the year in 1995.
Atlanta SCORE provided 11,962 services through counseling and workshops last year—an increase of 50 percent over the year before. The chapter has grown substantially during the past several years with ten branch locations in counties and towns in the Atlanta metro region. Last year, the chapter installed Web video cameras in each Atlanta SCORE office, which allows volunteers to provide face-to-face counseling to clients in more distant areas.
In addition, the chapter recently hosted a highly successful speed coaching event, sponsored by OPEN from American Express, that “sold out” in 36 hours. Hundreds of local businesses received free evaluation and mentoring sessions with Atlanta SCORE counselors. They also participated in interactive workshops that focused on promoting business growth.
Notable success stories include:
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Victor and Julia Vaysman, owners of MedSide Home Health Care Services, which provides medical, therapeutical and rehabilitation services, received start-up, growth and strategic advice from SCORE Counselor Steve Bloom; www.medside.com.
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Adrienne Simpson, owner of Smooth Mooove Senior Relocation Services, which offers a full range of moving services for senior citizens and the disabled, worked with SCORE Counselor Jeff Mesquita on her business plan, marketing and branding; www.wemoveseniors.com.
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Karen Schwettman, Jackie Tanase and Ellen Ward, owners of FoxTale Book Shoppe, an independent bookstore, worked with SCORE Counselor Hooper Wesley on their business plan, financing, and management issues; www.foxtalebookshoppe.com.
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Jamie Fine, owner of Sugarplum Visions, which makes custom cakes, cookies and cupcakes, received valuable mentoring on her business plan, location and finances from SCORE Counselor Pat Travisano; www.sugarplum-visions.com.
SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, “Atlanta SCORE illustrates the business success that SCORE volunteers help make happen everyday across the country.” Yancey adds, “The chapter has really helped local entrepreneurs by offering new and flexible ways of providing high-quality mentoring and advice in several different locations.”
Other finalists for National SCORE Chapter of the Year included: San Diego SCORE; SCORE Naples; Grand Strand SCORE; Greater Cincinnati SCORE; Akron SCORE; Grand Rapids SCORE; Little Rock SCORE; Nashville SCORE; New York SCORE; and Northern Illinois SCORE.
Since 1964, SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” has assisted more than 7.9 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.
For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Or, visit SCORE on the Web at www.score.org. |
