| Eric also began meeting regularly with counselor Rod Means, a retired San Diego CEO, who advised him on developing and maintaining CuraDebt’s business and marketing plans, and tracking financials. “Rod explained why it’s so important to have a clear understanding of where the money is going,” Eric says. “The fact that we have detailed up-to-date accounting made it possible for us to increase net revenues every quarter since the CuraDebt’s inception.”
Recognizing the Internet’s potential value for reaching new customers, Eric called on counselor Marty Weiss, an experienced online marketer, for guidance in maximizing the effectiveness of CuraDebt’s Web site. “The Internet has enabled us to reduce costs for both new customer marketing and customer service as most questions can be answered via email,” Eric says. “We still use one of the services that Marty recommended years ago for automating emails.”
Over the years, Eric has consulted with other SCORE counselors in person and via email to on issues such as CuraDebt’s marketing plan and financial analysis, corporate identity and trademark protection, franchising, development of an operations manual, human resources, and publicity.
Eric credits his consultations with SCORE and a lot of hard work by his staff for a highly successful first three years. CuraDebt’s sales have tripled to an estimated $750,000 in 2004. If projections remain on target, the company’s sales will top $1.5 million in 2005.
“The support of SCORE has been monumental in the development and growth of CuraDebt,” Eric says. “Consulting with SCORE continues to be an integral part of my business strategy. I can always count on Rod Means, Marty Weiss and the other counselors to be available and very helpful.”
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