Whether you’re starting, expanding or preparing to exit your business, SCORE’s experienced mentors are here to guide you - at no cost. Small business owners who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and faster growth.
Enter your ZIP code to connect with a free SCORE mentor near you today.
Discover how Katie Olthoff is transforming the way farmers sell meat with ChopLocal - an innovative online marketplace that connects consumers with high-quality meat from local farms and butcher shops across the country.
Her advice to fellow entrepreneurs? “The mentorship SCORE provides is amazing. Their support and encouragement have made all the difference in our growth.”
The Startup Roadmap
Learn everything you need to know about starting a business in this 12-module self-paced course.
Getting Started with
E-commerce
Discover how to take your business from brick and mortar to click and order.
Simple Steps for Exiting Your Business
Learn the key steps to successfully plan and execute the sale or transition of your business with expert guidance.
Small Business Crisis Management
This course will teach you how to navigate small business crises including natural disasters, PR crises, financial downturns and more.
Small businesses depend on SCORE’s support — and we depend on yours.
SCORE is a lifeline for entrepreneurs in every state, providing free mentoring and resources to over 300,000 small business owners each year. But this work is only possible with federal funding. Congress is deciding now whether to allocate $17 million for SCORE in FY26. Your voice can help ensure we continue delivering this vital support. Tell lawmakers why SCORE matters. #StandWithSCORE - This campaign is funded exclusively by the SCORE Foundation, without the use of federal funds.
Each year, SCORE volunteers across the country help entrepreneurs turn ideas into thriving businesses. The result? A ripple effect of economic growth and job creation nationwide.
In FY24 alone, SCORE supported:
- The launch of 59,447 new small businesses
- The creation of 143,623 new jobs
- The contribution of 4 million volunteer hours — the equivalent of more than four centuries of expert mentoring
- A $45.42 return in new federal tax revenue for every $1 of federal funding
These outcomes show that SCORE is more than just mentoring — it’s a smart investment in America’s small business community.
Leverage these free templates and resources to propel your business toward success, while complementing your journey with the guidance of a SCORE Mentor, ensuring a well-rounded strategy for achieving your business goals. With the right tools and expert guidance, your business can thrive and reach new heights.
Many small business owners start out driven by their passion for their product, which may have immediate potential to turn a high profit or to solve an important problem in the marketplace. With such excitement around the product itself, it’s often easy to neglect other business functions, such as supply chain management. However, setting up your supply chain for success from the beginning can help founders create a long-lasting stable business, control costs and expand their reach.
A Supply Chain Framework
The good news is that there are time-tested and reliable processes in place that power
This interactive calculator allows you to provide inputs and see a full estimated repayment schedule to plan your capital needs and cash flow.
Download our easy-to-use business planning, finance, sales, marketing, and management templates to help you plan for a new business or grow your existing business.
Learn more about SCORE mentoring and how it can help you reach your business goals.
SCORE is proud to support the innovation and resilience of rural entrepreneurs. Whether you’re running a family farm, launching a home-based business or revitalizing a small-town main street, our experienced mentors and free resources are here to help.
From finding funding to navigating supply chains, we’ll guide you through the unique challenges, and opportunities, of building a thriving business in your rural community.
Have a quick business question and need it right away? You can use our online chat to connect 1:1 with a mentor. Simply click on the chat bubble that appears on the bottom of every page. Chat mentors are available:
Mondays - Thursdays, 9 am - 5 pm ET.
Meet mentors like Mary, a former Assistant Director of the Small Business Development Center with a passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed - especially in challenging times.
With deep expertise in business planning, funding, operations, marketing and strategy, Mary supports small business owners across industries like retail, food and beverage, wellness, nonprofits and more. Whether you're just starting out or ready to grow, our LiveChat mentors are ready to help - free, personalized and just a message away.
Small Business Disaster Recovery Resources
SCORE mentors are here to support you through all business challenges, including those caused by natural disasters. Request your free business mentor for personalized guidance.
You can also find information on the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster assistance to help your business recover. If you have questions about disaster assistance, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email for more information.
Helping 17 Million Entrepreneurs Achieve Their Dreams
SCORE proudly celebrates 60 years of helping America’s small businesses launch, grow and thrive. Since 1964, more than 17 million entrepreneurs have received support from SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Today, SCORE has a nationwide network of more than 10,000 volunteers serving all 50 U.S. states and territories, guiding entrepreneurs on their path to success.
