FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are the Answers to Some Basic Questions About SCORE and Business Counseling

Ten Questions and Answers About the SCORE Association

What is the SCORE Association?
The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association comprised of 11,500 and growing volunteer business counselors throughout the U.S. and its territories. There are about 400 SCORE chapters in urban, suburban and rural communities. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. These services are offered at no fee, as a community service. SCORE was formed in 1964 and nearly 4.5 million Americans have utilized SCORE services.


How can this web site help me?
This site offers practical "how to" information to help your run your business. You can also get free and confidential business advice from SCORE with Get Email Counseling. You can use Find SCORE in your community to find the location, and even a map of the location of your nearest SCORE office.


How can SCORE help me in a changing economic times?
In times of economic change, you must be diligent in preparing your plans. Begin developing a business plan with realistic sales projections and a plan to hold the line on costs. SCORE can provide advice to help you develop or update your plan. Our counselors can also assist in analyzing your current results. Clients tell us some of the best ideas for their business flowed from discussion with a SCORE counselor. You can Get Email Counseling right now through the SCORE Web Site. SCORE & Visa U.S.A. also offer a FREE financial management workbook, How to Secure Financing. This guide can help you build a relationship with a bank, so you can obtain a loan when you apply for a loan.


Can I contact SCORE via email?
Yes. This Web site offers a special feature called Get Email Counseling. You can go to email counseling and pose a business question to one of the SCORE business counselors who have joined the SCORE CyberChapter to provide you with email answers to business questions. You choose from a list of counselors with expertise in the business areas that interest you and write a question to the counselor who is the best match for your business or industry.


What is email counseling?
Email counseling is an email exchange between you a soon-to-be entrepreneur or small business owner and a volunteer, SCORE business counselor. Email counseling gives you the opportunity to send email questions about small business to a SCORE counselor anywhere in the country. Just Get Email Counseling to get business advice. Send a questions and your SCORE counselor will reply with his or her answer. Keep the dialog going as long as you have questions for your business counselor


What qualifies SCORE to give business advice?
The key qualification SCORE counselors bring to clients is real-world experience. SCORE business counselors have general management and specific industry experience that can benefit your business. SCORE business counselors may be working or retired business owners, business executives or operations managers. All SCORE counselors receive specialized training in counseling and mentoring.


What kind of counseling does SCORE provide?
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.


Are business secrets safe with SCORE?
Yes. All SCORE business counselors honor the client's right to proprietary and confidential information. Client 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 reaffirm their commitment to the Code Of Ethics.


Does SCORE offer other services?
Yes. SCORE offers low-cost workshops and seminars. Workshop fees generally range from $20 - $95 depending upon the program. Workshop topics have included: Developing Your Business Plan, Starting and Operating Your Own Business, Getting Financing For Your Business, and Basic Business Accounting. We also offer several workshops that examine marketing.


How can I contact SCORE for assistance?
You can contact SCORE a number of ways. You can call us at (619) 557-7272 and make an appointment for face-to-face counseling. You can use Find SCORE to locate a chapter near you, complete with address, phone number and a map you can print right now. Or you can Get Email Counseling to send an email message to a counselor and begin electronic counseling.