SCORE One for the Good Guys

There are 8000 chapters across the nation, and is funded by the federal Small Business Administration. There are 35 mentors working in the local chapter, reaching out to the business community to help start, improve or transition a business, by listening to business owners discuss their projects and give advice and information on how to go in the direction the entrepreneur envisions.

"Sometimes we find a kernel of validity in what they want," Houck said, "and we take that and counsel then to do what it takes to mold it into a successful business."

Small business has a big role in society today. Ninety-nine percent of all employers in the country work a small business, Houck said, employing 50% of the nation's workers and showing 75% of all new jobs. SCORE exists for those owners who need expert initial assistance and to help create and improve a company's infrastructure, which equals more jobs. Their work with the business owner is confidential and no-fee.

Houck explained it's not free, meaning that the SCORE mentors like himself spend time, gas, and effort to make the meetings with their clients.

Peter then introduced Vanessa Rispin to the Club as one who he has mentored to in his SCORE capacity. When Rispin spoke to us in April, it was how to benefit from using various functions of the internet to build a business. Now, with the help of Houck, she was transitioning into a new business she was developing that made finding temporary or permanent help for specific projects that a business might do.

She said that speaking with Peter and his partner Art Dickerson was not only an ideal situation to bounce ideas about, but it also built her confidence to continue to build her new enterprise. SCORE already had her trust, from working with them indirectly through her when she worked with Mission Community Services.