Hello Fellow Survive 55 Followers.........
Way back earlier in May of this year we talked about ways to create a new and sustainable income for yourself if you found that you were looking to do something different with your life financially, your current employment was coming to an end or you were just tired of the big "Rat Race."
Here's some of the options we looked at:
1. Buying a Franchise
2. Be a Picker
3. Network Marketing
4. Start a Website and/or Blog
5. Freelance Writing
6. Move
7. Start a Home based Business
8. Design T-Shirts
9. Make a Film
10. Build a Start-Up Business
In 8 out of 10 of these choices there is an organization that I highly recommend that can be of immense support in helping you be more successful and more professional in getting your new career/business up and running.
It's called SCORE and it's free.
That's right.........free!
SCORE stands for the "SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVES"
What is the SCORE Association?
SCORE Helps Small Businesses and Start-Up Ideas Like Yours
SCORE is a premier nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through free and confidential education and business mentorship.
They have been doing this for nearly fifty years.
Because their work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to their network of 13,000+ retired business professionals who are volunteers, they are able to deliver their services at no charge or at very low cost.
They can provide:
1. Volunteer MENTORS in your local area who share their expertise across 62 industries
2. Free, confidential business COUNSELING in person or via email
3. Free business TOOLS, templates and tips online
4. Inexpensive or free business WORKSHOPS (locally IN YOUR AREAS) and WEBINARS (Online 24/7)
SCORE is headquartered in Herndon, VA.
What kind of mentoring does SCORE provide?
SCORE’s experienced business mentors provide general business advice on every aspect of business planning, start-up, management and growth.
SCORE provides both in-person and online mentoring to entrepreneurs just
getting started or in need of a seasoned pro as a sounding board for their existing businesses.
Does SCORE offer services other than business mentoring?
Yes. SCORE chapters provide business workshops and seminars on topics customized to the needs of the local business community.
In all communities, SCORE offices advocate the need for business planning and offer an introduction to the fundamentals of a business plan.
Workshop and seminar fees generally range from $20 to $75, depending on the type of materials included and program length.
For established businesses, SCORE offers in-depth training on topics such as customer service, hiring practices,
using the Internet for business, marketing, home-based business operations and many other issues.
What qualifies SCORE volunteers to give business advice?
The key qualification SCORE mentors bring is real-world business experience.
They are working and retired business owners, executives and managers who have been through the same challenges and decisions that many entrepreneurs are facing today.
In addition, SCORE business mentors offer valuable expertise in specific industries.
All SCORE volunteers receive specialized training offered by the association.
What is the SCORE Small Business Web Site?
Since 1997, SCORE has offered a leading online business resource for entrepreneurs—www.score.org.
This site is a comprehensive small business resource, including Ask SCORE─SCORE’s 24/7 email mentoring service.
Entrepreneurs can use Ask SCORE to search a database of more than 1,200 SCORE online counselors with a combined knowledge of more than 600 business backgrounds.
SCORE’s Web site also offers “how-to” guides, small business quizzes and a business toolbox with information and practical solutions for overcoming business obstacles.
Have I used SCORE?
I have used the mentorship program of SCORE on two different occasions.
The first time I contacted SCORE I needed direction on how to approach purchasing an existing private business and whether or not it made financial sense.
The advice was extremely critical in solidifying my decision to dig further into the business and industry before making any rash financial decisions.
On a second occasion I needed advice on trademarks and logos that I was interested in purchasing.
In both instances, the responses by my mentors were quick and in-depth.
They went out of their ways to clarify my situations and needs.
The majority of my research and discussions with them was via email and by phone.
And the best part of my experience...............it was free.
How can I contact SCORE for business assistance?
1. Call 1-800/634-0245 and ask for the phone number of your nearest SCORE office.
2. Visit www.score.org to search for a mentor by specialty that can provide online advice.
3. Visit www.score.org and click “Find Your Local Chapter” to enter your ZIP code in the search field for the nearest SCORE offices.
4. Email contact.score@score.org with your location or ZIP code, and SCORE will reply with local
contact information.
Just let me restate that this is an incredible resource and even if your are just thinking of some sort of start up business, franchise, or income generating hobby give them a call to get some advice before your begin.
I realize that this is a government organization but it is basically run by private citizens and is probably one of the few government based organizations that actually works well.
Hey, it's 1 million percent better than the Healthcare.gov website.
You knew that statement was coming didn't you?
Thanks for joining me....................................................................................................