Thought About Starting Your Own Business?
Maybe you have a great idea that no one else has thought of or maybe want to explore a franchise opportunity, take over the family business, or a multitude of other reasons which put the thought into your mind. Most of us know or have been taught how to create a product or provide a service – and you will need to know this to make your business run from day to day.
However, in most cases, you will also be the person responsible for all of the sales/marketing, accounting, planning, etc. If you look at some of the most successful business people in the nation today, they have one thing in common: when they started their business and while it was growing, they had a mentor.
A mentor is usually someone older and who has had extensive training and/or experience in the marketplace and is willing to advise you on every step of the business process. In your head, you are probably thinking, “wow this sounds great but how do I go about finding such a person and what will it cost me?”
Enter SCORE!!
SCORE was originally known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives but in today’s world, it is recognized as SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business. We “I started as a SCORE mentor (online as well as face to face) six months ago and have found it to be very rewarding. In any kind of mentoring situation, you not only help the client but you also grow yourself. You learn to listen more and judge less – it’s a win-win for both parties involved. In my eyes, the most important and rewarding part of life is the ability to give back to others and especially those in your community.” ~ Daren Anderson
We are a non-profit organization that provides free business mentoring services to entrepreneurs in the United States. A few quick facts about SCORE. In 2014, we helped start 56,079 businesses; helped to create 47,187 jobs; helped 107,201 clients increased their revenue; and mentored and trained 148,800 small business owners and entrepreneurs.
If you have an idea for a startup company, your local SCORE chapter can help with everything from listening to your ideas, formulating a business plan, buying an existing business/franchise, startup financing options, naming a business, learning about incorporating and more. If you already have an existing business, we can still help with a business plan, plan grow strategies, help with leadership, human resources, marketing or getting advice on selling your business.
We always strive to get you the best answer and if we don’t have the answer immediately, we have over 13,000 counselors nationwide that can help in any situation. I started as a SCORE mentor (online as well as face to face) six months ago and have found it to be very rewarding. In any kind of mentoring situation, you not only help the client but you also grow yourself. You learn to listen more and judge less – it’s a win-win for both parties involved. In my eyes, the most important and rewarding part of life is the ability to give back to others and especially those in your community.
To learn more about SCORE, check out their website at https://www.score.org/ or contact your local Small Business Administration/SCORE Chapter – we are looking forward to the next big idea or helping you in your existing business.
About the author:
Daren Anderson has over thirty years of experience in the Information Technology field and is President of Big D Technology Solutions, Inc., and Big D Online Solutions. He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from Dakota State University in Madison, SD and a double Bachelor’s Degree in MIS/CIS from NAU in Sioux Falls, SD. He is heavily involved with the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce serving on the Diplomat and Small Business Committees and was awarded Diplomat of the Year for 2014 and 2015. He is also involved with SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses, serving as a small business mentor and board member, and he is a board member with the Minnehaha County Historical Society.
