How to Use SCORE to Get Free Small Business Help

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Each week as Smallbizlady, I conduct interviews with small business experts on my weekly Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. This is excerpted from my #SmallBizChat interview with Amy Larrimore @SCOREphila Amy is the Vice President of Technology for SCORE, a free business mentoring program, and nonprofit association with 364 offices across the country. Amy is a seasoned entrepreneur and an active volunteer with SCORE’s Philadelphia chapter. For more information http://www.score.org

Smallbizlady: What is the SCORE Association?

Amy Larrimore: We are the Counselors to America’s Small Business. We’re a nonprofit organization dedicated to the success of small business. For the last 45 years, SCORE’s volunteer business experts have served hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs out of their 350 offices across the nation. We are a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and provide one on one mentoring as a free and confidential public service.

Smallbizlady: How are you affiliated with SCORE?

Amy Larrimore: I have volunteered for SCORE for over three years as a business counselor and workshop leader. I also serve as the District Vice President of Information Systems and Technology. My District includes 13 chapters with over 400 members in PA and DE. We are the largest district in the nation, providing over 15,000 services a year. I also serve the Philadelphia Chapter as the Vice Chair of Technology. I am blown away at the impact that we have on small businesses.

Smallbizlady: What kind of services does SCORE offer to businesses?

Amy Larrimore: Our main product is one on one business mentoring. SCORE’s experienced business mentors provide general business advice on everything from how to write a business plan, manage cash flow and grow an existing business. We can offer expertise to seed, startup and established businesses in everything from customer relations, hiring practices, using the Internet for business, PR advertising, home-based businesses, business financials, getting funded, and many other areas. We sit down with you and walk you through your business planning and strategy and financials and make sure you know how to implement it cheaply and effectively. SCORE has almost 13,000 mentors — our expertise is really endless.

Smallbizlady: Tell me about the training and workshops you provide?

Amy Larrimore: We offer business training in almost every topic in which we mentor. Many chapters and the national organization offer webinars too. Every chapter offers some kind of business planning series and introduction to the fundamentals of a business plan. Our workshops vary from chapter to chapter because they are dependent upon the local community needs and our volunteer expertise. Workshop and seminars fees generally range from $30-$70, depending on hand-outs, meals and program length. @SCOREPhila we offer everything from business planning to financial modeling to technology training. We were even lucky enough to have a seminar taught by @SmallBizLady herself!

Smallbizlady: How is SCORE funded?

Amy Larrimore: SCORE National is made possible by a federal grant and receives significant corporate support from companies like American Express Open, Palo Alto Software, Google, HP. While our operating costs are low because we’re almost completely staffed by volunteers, every chapter needs to supplement that basic stipend with corporate, personal and community donations. Luckily for us, we’re a great cause that people can really get behind — helping small businesses grow! We are registered as a 501©3 and all donations are fully deductible. @SCOREPhila we manage our online donations with a startup company, @GiveLoop that built a technology to do it.

Smallbizlady: Let’s be honest — I’ve always heard of SCORE as just a bunch of retired guys?

Amy Larrimore: I always say, retirement is a state of finance, not of age! But seriously, yes, when SCORE was founded in 1964, our congressional charter indicated that we were the Senior Core of Retired Executives. However, a few years back that was changed by Congress to reflect the current needs of small business. Now we are the Counselors to America’s Small Business. Our volunteer base is made up of small business owners, corporate executives, subject matter experts, pro bono service providers like lawyers or accountants and of course, some retired executives.

Smallbizlady: What qualifies SCORE volunteers to give business advice?

Amy Larrimore: The key qualification SCORE mentors bring is real-world business experience. These business mentors have specific industry and general business expertise because we’ve been there, done that. I, for example, volunteer for SCORE because I’ve run two businesses (currently on my third) and I want to help give back some of the lessons and opportunities I’ve learned. All SCORE volunteers receive specialized training offered by the association and we have to take a series of tests to be released to counsel one on one.

Smallbizlady: Are business secrets safe with SCORE?

Amy Larrimore: Yes! All SCORE mentors sign a code of ethics before beginning any volunteer time. In this contract (with the federal government mind you) we agree to no solicitation for business, No third party representation, No gifts or cash accepted, High professional standards, non disclosure and non compete with client information. Client information remains totally confidential and each year, SCORE mentors reaffirm their commitment in writing.

Smallbizlady: Are all volunteers required to do face to face coaching with SCORE?

Amy Larrimore: Great question! No, we’re not required to do face to face coaching only. Many volunteers prefer this but it’s by no means required. SCORE can use volunteer help in teaching workshops, providing administrative or advisory support. We also can use volunteers interested in teaching webinars, doing email counseling, managing our social media, helping us balance the books, doing outreach on our behalf, helping maintain our websites. Many hands do light work. If you’re interested in volunteering, please check out the website.

Smallbizlady: What if you are not happy with your SCORE advisor can you ask for another resource?

Amy Larrimore: Of course! Our goal is to make a good match so we’ll work with you as hard as we need to find a good fit.

Smallbizlady: How can I contact SCORE for business assistance?

Amy Larrimore: Call 1-800/634-0245 to find the SCORE office near you. Or, find SCORE online by visiting www.score.org. You can search for the nearest location by city and state or zip code. You can find @SCOREPhila at http://www.scorephila.org/. Our chapter also offers a website featuring Philadelphia local business events and our mailing list at http://www.phillybizevents.com. We also maintain a delicious page at http://www.delicious.com/scorephila which contains lots of useful links and recommended.

If you found this interview helpful, join us on Wednesdays 8-9pm ET follow @SmallBizChat on Twitter.

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as @SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. Forbes Magazine recently named her one of the Top 20 women for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs. She also publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010)