SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit, national association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs. SCORE is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia and Washington, DC. It has 389 chapters throughout the United States and its territories , with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. SCORE was founded in 1964; is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and is affiliated with leading companies and organizations in the United States. Both working and retired business executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.
The Raleigh Chapter's main office is in Suite 306 of the Post Office Building at 300
Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27602 with satellite offices in Cary, Morrisville, Wake Forest and North
Raleigh providing face-to-face, free and confidential counseling services. These offices are staffed by
volunteers who are seasoned executives with a variety of managerial and functional skills that include finance,
accounting, banking, law, insurance, franchising, marketing and promotion.
SCORE's experienced business executives provide advice and guidance that involve starting or
staying in business. This may include such topics as organization, licensing, financing, cash flow management,
legal structure, advertising and promotion, and preparing the business plan.
Yes. All SCORE business counselors honor the client's right to proprietary and confidential
information. Client information remains confidential. All SCORE counselors abide by the Association's Code of
Ethics which includes protecting the confidences between client and counselor. Each year counselors reaffirm
their commitment to the Code of Ethics.
You can contact Raleigh SCORE by phone, e-mail, or letter for a free, confidential meeting
with our counselors at one of our offices in downtown Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, or North Raleigh: Telephone (919) 869-4151. E-mail: contact.raleigh@scorevolunteer.org>. Main office: Suite
306, 300 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC 27602.
All clients, whether involved in a start-up or existing business, may benefit from
counseling on a one time or repeat basis. Mentoring refers to a situation where an existing business decides it
needs special help on one or more aspects of its daily operations. Under these circumstances, a SCORE counselor
will be assigned to determine the precise nature of the assistance required; then one or more counselors with
the expertise needed will be called in to work with the client until the problem is resolved.
The National organization offers this online service. A client can go to the National
site- www.score.org, scroll down to "About Score" and click on "SCORE Business Mentoring." The instructions are
simple: ask a question or enter key words to find a mentor; pick a mentor and send a message through the online
form; you get a personal message from your mentor within 48 hours. Your online mentor will work with you to
answer your business questions.
Yes. Raleigh SCORE offers low-cost workshops and seminars. Workshop fees generally range
from $30 to $45 depending on the program. Workshops include: How to Start and Stay in Business, Preparing a
Winning Business Plan and Financing Options for Small Business.
Yes. Both from Raleigh volunteers during counseling sessions and when a client logs onto the
national web site. A Raleigh counselor can direct a client to reference material on most all business subjects
that are available from SBA publications on line and from many sources of information available in local
government offices and libraries. At the national site (www.score.org) click on "business tools" for a wide
assortment of business publications on line.
SCORE counselors come from a variety of occupations and backgrounds. Many owned small
businesses for years; others worked for major firms such as 3M, General Electric and Procter & Gamble. Their
backgrounds and skill areas are widely diversified. They span all generations and minority/ethnic groups. If you
feel you have the qualifications, please contact the Raleigh office, 919-856-4739 to initiate the interview
process.