- April 18, 2024
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Entrepreneurs can get free help in workshops or mentoring.
SCORE 87 Volusia Flagler is marking its 50th anniversary on the heels of being ranked third among SCORE chapters throughout the nation based on overall performance.
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses launch, grow and achieve their goals through one-on-one counseling, workshops and mentorship at no cost. SCORE Volusia Flagler is one chapter out of 320 national chapters that fall under the Small Business Administration.
In October, in their annual review, they were placed in the platinum level, or top 10%, of all chapters in the U.S. when rated in operational efficiency and quality of service.
In the last year, the local chapter helped nearly 700 entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs in face-to-face and online sessions. They had 46 workshops and 1,600 people attended.
Tom Hellman, recently elected president, said his goal is to maintain the high level of success SCORE87 has enjoyed and to keep “forward facing.”
He sees 2015 as a pivotal year.
They plan to expand their usage of social media and email marketing as well as online training.
“We want to build on the strong foundation we have and ensure we remain relevant,” he said.
Another goal is to let people know they exist. Hellman said in any group he talks to, only about 40% know them.
“The ones who know us say we do a great job,” he said. “We need to be more effective in promoting ourselves.”
Typically, the volunteers are people that have been involved in corporate leadership positions, or small business owners that have had successful careers and want to give back to the community.
The letters stand for Service Corps of Retired Executives, but not all volunteers are retired.
Hellman said there are several volunteers who have current businesses that help in different ways, such as holding a workshop or serving as a mentor or an ambassador. They have one volunteer who runs a nonprofit.
“It’s an interesting mix,” Hellman said.
Hellman said that entrepreneurs are the backbone of the community and important for future economic recovery.
“They have the courage to succeed and we are here to help them achieve that success,” he said.
He said many successful businessmen and women volunteer for the organization as a way to give back to the community. All sessions are confidential and the volunteers are not allowed to profit financially.
“We’re always looking for volunteers,” he said.
He said it’s a feeling of accomplishment to help someone achieve success and also keeps the volunteer engaged with the community.
“It keeps you young,” he said. “You’re doing something important.”
He said there are basically three types of clients: dreamers, who have an idea; experienced people, who need help with a business plan; and established businessmen, who have some type of problem such as not making enough profit.
“We help in their specific area,” Hellman said.
He said SCORE started in the 1960s. The Small Business Administration program administered loans, but started to realize that sometimes people with business plans were sometimes lacking in training in management and particularly finance. So SCORE was started to fill the need.
The “87” signifies that they were the 87th chapter to join the national organization.
Hellman said the participation grew during the recession and then taper off and now is holding steady.
Their funding comes from a variety of sources. Their office is provided as an in-kind donation from the Internal Revenue Service. They also receive funds from economic development groups.
For more information, or to schedule a consultation, call 255-6889. Their website is score87.org and they are on Facebook at SCOREVolusiaFlagler.
