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What does the creator of a baby sound machine designed primarily to soothe colicky babies have in common with the maker of vegan and gluten-free granola and related products?

Both female entrepreneurs who received mentoring services from SCORE Bucks County, Samantha Myers, founder of ByeByeCry and Rochelle Berg, who founded Living Smart Granola, nabbed the top awards in the recent Spark Bowl.

To request a SCORE mentor, visit score.org/buckscounty.

Held at Delaware Valley University, the fourth annual “Shark Tank” style competition featured business pitches from five Bucks County

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2023 – More than half of small business owners expect Small Business Saturday to impact their holiday sales significantly this year, according to a recent American Express survey. With Small Business Saturday approaching, now is the perfect time for small business owners to prepare for the holiday rush and encourage customers to shop small. As mentors to America’s small businesses, SCORE offers support through free expert business counseling and online resources – including these top tips to navigate the busy holiday season. 

Decide on your schedule

Now’s the time to

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2023 – Just over 1.7 million businesses in the U.S. are owned by veterans, according to the U.S. Census, and contribute substantially to the nation’s economy, generating $1 trillion in revenue. As mentors to America’s small businesses, SCORE provides veteran small business owners with free resources, training and counseling support, whether they are just starting out or they’ve been in business for decades.

“My mentor from SCORE is absolutely amazing. When we got closer to opening, I think he was just as excited as I was,” said SCORE client Sandra Vazquez, veteran and

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2023 – Of the 1.1 million minority-owned employer businesses in the U.S., 99.9% are small businesses. But not all of these businesses are certified as diverse suppliers, despite being eligible. Getting certified as a diverse supplier offers small business owners the opportunity to expand market share, grow their companies, discover new partners, and create new revenue streams, according to SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. To take advantage of these benefits, SCORE encourages diverse supplier certification for those that qualify. 

What

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2023 – SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, today announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors, as well as new officers for the 2024 fiscal year, as of Oct. 1. For the first time, the executive committee is made up entirely of women.

“I’m pleased to welcome the newest members of the SCORE Board of Directors who join us in our shared mission of fostering small business communities through mentorship and education,” said SCORE Board Chair

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2023 – With over 35,000 food trucks generating $1.5 billion in revenue in the U.S., it’s no surprise when entrepreneurs want to join the industry with a food truck business of their own. But to succeed in a competitive market, entrepreneurs need the right guidance, resources and support. As mentors to America’s small businesses, SCORE is here to help, offering a wide range of services and expertise to aspiring food truck owners.

“No matter how great of a cook you are or how nice of a truck you have, it takes some time to grow your business,” said SCORE client Roger

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2023 – Hispanic-owned businesses contribute $800 billion to the U.S. economy annually, yet nearly a third of Hispanic small business owners cite raising capital as one of their greatest business challenges. As they continue to work toward a better financial future, entrepreneurs can benefit greatly from the help of an experienced mentor. During National Hispanic Heritage Month, SCORE – mentors to America’s small businesses – invites Hispanic executives to consider volunteering as a SCORE mentor.

“A great benefit of volunteering for SCORE is as mentors, we have the

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2023 – SCORE, a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, has named Kat Shepherd of Moreno Valley, Calif. the winner of its 2023 Conductor Field Leadership Award for her outstanding service, dedication and contributions to the nonprofit organization and its mission. SCORE’s network of 10,000+ diverse volunteers provide free, expert mentoring to entrepreneurs in all 50 U.S. states and territories, helping small businesses start, grow and thrive. 

An entrepreneur herself with more than 30 years of experience, Shepherd launched her business in

SCORE Bucks County, a local chapter of a national nonprofit committed to providing mentoring services, helps drive new business growth.

In all, the chapter’s 80 volunteer mentors assisted in the creation of 154 new businesses, which, in turn, generated 782 total jobs in the 2022 fiscal year. SCORE Bucks – which includes all of Bucks County, as well as eastern Montgomery County, from Willow Grove to Blue Bell – provided a whopping 4,346 total chapter services last fiscal year.

The chapter offers a variety of no-cost webinars several times per month on business-related topics, including

When John Sheehan was starting out as a business owner of his software and data processing company, he did not have a mentor to guide him in financing and other aspects of running a business.

“I could have used one,” said Sheehan, of Newtown. “I thought I knew everything. I launched the company. When you’re alone, you’re the chief. You’re everything all at once.”

Entrepreneurs still wear many (and sometimes all) hats. But, unlike when Sheehan was venturing out several decades ago, small business owners in Bucks County have had him to turn to for mentoring support, especially as it