Small Business Help From SCORE
SCORE has the largest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation. No matter what stage your business is at SCORE has a mentor for you. Easily request a mentor to help you start, grow, or transition your business today!
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SCORE business mentors can help you start, grow, or transition your business. Enter your zip code below to get matched with a business expert near you!
"Working with my mentor provided and continues to provide me with an outsider outlook on my business who can always show me the objectives and be a sounding board to problem solve. Having the chance to connect with my mentor helped me map out a business plan and a timeline for my business startup projection."
Kristen Richards,
Owner, Front Porch Baking Co.
"Beverly was the sweetest woman from the day we met. I went into our meeting there not knowing anything. But Beverley reassured me that there were no "dumb questions". She found the proper help of a co-mentor to set me up with the tax credentials I needed at that time. Throughout the COVID pandemic crisis, Beverley would regularly check in with me to see me and would always take time to congratulate me on my success. I always recommend SCORE to anyone I know that needs help getting on track with their business."
Keisha Finnie,
Artist & Founder, Keisha Finnie Art
“Whether you are planning your next small business or nonprofit seeking guidance and support can help you and your vision! My mentor was able to challenge me to see the side of the business that I needed to learn to help Grape Leaf Cafe & Empowerment Center. I have been blessed with so many mentors in my life to help guide me, and it just felt natural to seek out another mentor at SCORE!”
Patience Buckwalter,
Founder of Grape Leaf Café & Empowerment Center
Live Webinars
SCORE hosts FREE or low cost, LIVE webinars every week on small business tips and strategies. See our upcoming offerings.
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Business Training Library
SCORE offers FREE business training /education resources to help you start and grow your small business.
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Chef Oliver Saye
Founder, homage: Cuisines of the West African Diaspora
"Sometimes, as a small business owner, there are a lot of things you don't know. I am a chef, so I know how to cook. That's my strong point. I am not the best with finance, and I am sure I am not alone in that. So, I reached out for the help of a SCORE mentor who was a finance expert, and it was a tremendous help."
Jason Stone
Founder, The Productive Peasant Farm Co.
"Well, I would first say take advantage of this invaluable resource! It doesn't matter what phase of your business planning you're in, whether it's the initial concept formation or you're looking to reconfigure your sales and customer base. Just an hour or so with a SCORE mentor can offer valuable insights and ideas that give your project real momentum."
Betsy Shank
Founder, Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation
"Mr. Beyer has been an outstanding mentor - advising, encouraging, suggesting, and praising. We worked entirely virtually on all of the documents necessary for a very specialized nonprofit. He explained things I didn't understand, reminded me of things I forgot about, all the while keeping me on my toes and smiling. His sense of humor is wicked funny!"
Become a SCORE Mentor
SCORE is looking for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to serve as knowledgeable business mentors for SCORE clients. You would be advising small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs along each stage of their journey from assisting with business plan development to guiding business owners as they grow. Use the skills and knowledge in your field to help entrepreneurs reach their dream of business ownership!
Cyndi DeLong
SCORE Volunteer Mentor
"I was drawn to volunteer work to learn more about the community, meet interesting people, and also use my skill set to coach others. I have found that I often learn as much as the person who has come to be mentored. Each one has a unique experience and life goal, and it feels very rewarding to play a small part in helping people move their dreams forward."
Erik Shaw
SCORE Volunteer Mentor
" As a transplant to the area, I knew that I wanted to become more involved with the community and loved seeing the local support for small businesses. At the time, I had been coaching entrepreneurs in Africa for the past four years. This prompted me to reach out to SCORE Lancaster – Lebanon with a desire to lend my expertise to support the visions of local entrepreneurs."
Joella Gamon
SCORE Volunteer Mentor
"I've found that volunteering is a simple way to meet people outside of my immediate circle. I can use my skills to make the world a little better while learning from people who may have had different experiences or think differently from me. I believe a strong community leads to growth, and giving back is an excellent way to practice gratitude for what I have been given."