Frequently Asked Questions

There are approximately 22 million small business owners in America. At any given time, 30% of the U.S. population is considering starting a business. Work is challenging. Entrepreneurship is also challenging and success rests upon the shoulders of the entrepreneur. To help entrepreneurs increase their prospects for prosperity and success, SCORE Association volunteers donate their time to advise and assist entrepreneurs with their business planning and operations.

Q. What Is The SCORE Association?
A. The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is non-profit association comprised of 12,300 volunteer members throughout the country, Guam and Puerto Rico. There are 389 SCORE chapters in both urban and rural communities. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners. These services are offered at no fee, as a community service, SCORE was formed in 1964 and more than 3 million Americans have utilized SCORE Association services.

Q. What Qualifies SCORE Members To Give Business Advice?
A. The key qualification SCORE counselors bring to the table is real-world experience. These volunteers have specific industry and general business expertise. Members may be retired business owners, business executives or operations managers. A number of members are still working full-time, with many years before their own retirement. All SCORE members receive specialized training offered by the association. Through chapter locations, the association administers a professional development program to build listening skills, counseling skills and problem solving techniques, so volunteers can effectively help entrepreneurs within the context of counseling and mentoring sessions.

Q. What Kind Of Counseling Does SCORE Provide?
A. SCORE's experienced business experts provide general business advice on everything from how to write a business plan, to cash flow management, to developing a small business advisory board. Assistance for aspiring entrepreneurs may involve investigating the market potential for a product or service and assessing the capital needs to start a business. Counselors can provide insight into how to start a business, operate a business, buy a business or franchise, and sell a business.

Q. Are Business Secrets Safe With SCORE?
A. Yes. All SCORE counselors honor the client's right to proprietary and confidential information. That information remains confidential. All SCORE counselors abide by an association Code of Ethics, which includes protecting the confidences between client and counselor. Each year, counselors sign the Code of Ethics agreement reaffirming their commitment to protect and honor the privacy of the client's information.

Q. Does SCORE Offer Any Other Services?
A. Yes. SCORE offers low-cost workshops and seminars. Workshops and seminars are offered at the local chapter level. Topics are planned to help address specific interests in a given community. Basic workshop fees generally range from $20-$75 depending on the length of the program, materials included and meals offered with the workshop. For example, workshop topics have included: Developing Your Business Plan, Starting and Operating Your Own Business, Basic Business Accounting, Getting Financing For Your Business, Advertising Planning For Small Business, and Marketing---A Do-It-Yourself Approach for Small Business.

Q. How Many People Has SCORE Helped?
A. SCORE has helped 3 million entrepreneurs and small businesses since 1964. In 1995, 268,878 entrepreneurs and small businesses participated in counseling or workshops.

Q. How Can I Contact SCORE For Assistance?
A. You can contact the SCORE Association a number of ways. You can call 1-800-634-0245 for a referral to the SCORE chapter nearest you. You can complete a "Request For Counseling Form" online. Business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can request SCORE counseling or mentoring online, courtesy of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Go online to http://www.sba.gov to access SCORE's online request for counseling form. Visit the SBA web page, click on "Starting Your Business" and at the next screen click on Service Corps of Retired Executives. You can complete the form online and a SCORE chapter in your area will contact you to begin counseling sessions. You can also request information in SCORE by writing: The SCORE Association, 409 3rd Street, S.W., 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20024.

Q. Where Else Can I Find Information On SCORE?
A. Look for SCORE information, features and business tips on the World Wide Web. Visit a new web site with a focus on small business http://www.smallbusiness.apple.com. This new web site for Apple Computer, Inc. features a SCORE Hot Page. Look for information on SCORE under the "Extended Staff"section of the site.