The Naples Chapter of SCORE who mentor small businesses in Collier County is proud to announce the positive impact of its volunteers, who donate their time and expertise to help entrepreneurs start small businesses, thereby strengthening the local economy.

Last year 49 volunteers helped 572 clients and provided those clients with 1,074 mentoring sessions. Score data shows that entrepreneurs who receive three of more hours of counseling report higher revenues and increased business growth.

So what is SCORE and how can local businesses access this valuable pool of talent?

SCORE initially was an acronym for the Service Corps of Retired Executives. Founded in 1964, it is a nonprofit organization that provides free and confidential mentoring services to prospective and established small businesses in the United States

Its core service offering is its small business mentoring program. Mentors work with clients to address issues and teach best practices relating to starting and growing a business. These include writing a business plan, hiring staff, developing products, services, and a viable marketing strategy.

Clients are assigned mentors who possess the expertise required to assist and answer questions relating to their particular fields of endeavor. Meetings are held in person or online via Zoom. SCORE also offers free and low-cost educational workshops.

SCORE is a resource partner with the US Small Business Administration and operates out of 300 chapters in most major cities. The Naples SCORE Chapter was founded in 1964, making it one of the oldest, continuous operating chapters in the national organization.

The Chapter actively recruits volunteers with a wide range of business experience. Our mentors have significant experience in the ownership, operation and management of both small and large businesses, as well as non-profits. Their range of expertise includes accounting, finance, legal, marketing, and business plan development, to name a few.

There is no need for anyone to go it alone when organizations like SCORE exist to guide you through the complexities of organizing, operating, and growing a small business…and best of all, help is free for the asking!

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Gray Poehler is a volunteer with the Naples Chapter of SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business. To ask a question or request free and confidential business counseling, call 239-430-0081 or log on to https://www.score.org/naples/local-mentors