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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

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2023 – Black business owners are more likely to seek – but less likely to receive – outside funding than white business owners, according to a survey by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses. To help improve this disparity in resources, Black executives can bring their valuable insights and perspectives to the table as business mentors. This National Black Business Month, SCORE encourages Black executives to consider volunteering their time and expertise to support entrepreneurs and build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Helping small businesses succeed

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2023 – Seventy percent of small business owners are aware of AI tools, but only 40 percent are actively using them, according to a recent webinar hosted by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

“AI is the ultimate leverage for scaling a small business,” said SCORE Fox Valley mentor Paul Ohlson. “If you're not already using it, or at least learning about it so you can use it soon, you're going to fall way behind your competitors and peers." 

How can AI help my small business? 

AI tools such

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2023 – Rural small businesses face a unique set of challenges, but they also have advantages over their urban and suburban counterparts – such as a tendency to be more profitable. 

Entrepreneurial Benefits of a Rural Environment 

Rural businesses tend to operate at a higher profitability margin than urban businesses (56 percent to 53 percent on average), and they are typically comparable in revenue to urban companies, according to a meta-analysis by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses. This means rural entrepreneurs keep more of their business revenue and are

SCORE Bucks County’s recent Women Building Businesses conference drew women entrepreneurs from as far away as Washington D.C., and as close as Bucks County and Philadelphia. In all, 200 women attended what had been an annual event until the pandemic. The fourth edition returned in 2023 following a three-year hiatus.

SCORE Bucks County Chairwoman Linda Zangrilli, who helped organize the event, said attendees provided overwhelmingly positive feedback following the daylong conference. Held at Parx Casino, the event featured a keynote address from NBC10 anchor Tracy Davidson, as well as

Ten local small businesses were honored this week at the SCORE Washington DC annual Client of the Year awards event. SCORE Washington DC provides free mentoring, resources, and training to anyone looking to start or grow a small business.