TranslateSolar Alternatives Design, Tom Durston
SCORE has provided me with an intensive orientation to the world of business. I was able to learn the technical skills for my second career from established training organizations, however transitioning from working as a career civil servant to starting a consulting business required skills and new outlooks that are harder to come by. My SCORE mentor plunged me into a crash course on how businessmen think and work.
My first assignments were to meet with an attorney, an accountant, and an insurance agent. The benefits included specific technical information, which was needed, but also a broader understanding of how businessmen must think to accomplish what they do. My mentor has also worked with me persistently on how to present my business, how to establish a niche and how to set pricing. Also, he has answered many specific questions such as what contractors expect in certain business relationships, or how to develop a website.
My new business, Solar Alternatives Design, is in its early stages but has a positive direction. SCORE has been instrumental in making smart business choices, as I concentrate on developing solar energy design and consulting expertise.
