Free confidential business counseling. SCORE can help you grow your current business and pursue your dreams. Take advantage of the knowledge and wisdom of our volunteer counselors. These former successful executives and business owners have experience in all areas of business.

Currently in business?
Starting a new business?
Have an idea for a new business?
Request a face-to-face counseling session

Is Starting a Business Right for You?
The SCORE QuickSTART Series Workshops will help you:

  • Define and evaluate your ideas.
  • Develop a marketing strategy.
  • Identify the best ways to fund your startup.
  • Turn your idea into action with tools and templates.
  • Get useful and helpful mentoring sessions.
  • Connect with other entrepreneurs.

Jump-start your business idea with the SCORE QuickSTART Series Workshops.

Successful and experienced executives will help you reach a “go or no-go” decision for starting a business.

Make a smart start. Attend the SCOREQuickSTART Series Workshops and begin your journey for small business success

Sign up for low-cost workshops for both start-up and existing business entrepreneurs. Designed to provide you with the skills necessary to start a business or improve an existing business. Includes workshops across a variety of subjects including starting a business, buying a business, writing a business plan, marketing/sales, basic and more advanced website development.

Sign Up Now!
More Information

Access to information and online websites to help you research, plan, manage, or start a small business. Tools include templates, articles, resource links and more.

Check out our business planning resources

Resource Links
Article Library

 
 

Business Concepts (QS):
This workshop is your start in developing a feasibility plan for your business.  You will examine how your business idea meets a need or solves a problem. You will clearly identify the features or benefits of your product or service.  You will examine whether your personal skills and background are a good fit with your business idea. You will learn how to find critical information about your industry, customers and competition. You will be assigned a SCORE mentor to help and coach you through the process.
Thursday Sep 09, 2010
6 - 8 PM
Register Now

Marketing(QS):
In this workshop you will start to develop a marketing plan.  You will identify your target markets, discuss pricing strategies, focus on creating a consistent marketing message, and discuss different marketing communication methods.  In addition, you will work on identifying and developing an appropriate business plan.
Thursday Sep 16, 2010
6 - 8 PM
Register Now

Financial Projections (QS):
This workshop is designed to teach you to develop financial projections to see if your business concept is feasible in dollars. You will learn the importance of having a financial plan.You will look at start-up costs, operating expenses, breakeven analysis, the financial risks and rewards, and what funds will be needed to finance your business. You will see how financial statements are used to help manage your business.  Don’t panic!  An experienced SCORE mentor will be there to guide you through the numbers.



Thursday Sep 23, 2010
6 - 8 PM
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Funding Sources and Next Steps (QS):

QS - Funding Sources and Next Steps"

This final workshop exposes you to traditional and non-traditional funding sources to finance your business. You will learn what information a bank needs to consider your loan request. You will learn what key elements go into the bank’s loan decision. You will learn to recognize your financial strengths and weaknesses. You will review your progress through the various workshop sessions and discuss what next steps may be needed to make your decision: “go” or “no-go” with your business concept. Your SCORE mentor will continue to work with you to complete any remaining items.  

Thursday Sept. 30
6-8 PM



Thursday Sep 30, 2010
6 - 8 PM
Register Now

 

Roy Nelles,
Makin a Difference

“SCORE ‘s involvement has been ‘making a difference’ in my new business ever since its launch.”

 

 

 

 

Roy’s business idea had all the hallmarks of a classic Maine start-up when he decided to approach SCORE for advice. His late father, Barry Nelles, a Maine public school art teacher and illustrator, had left him a wonderful legacy of original cartoon drawings  and prints which seemed ideally suited for decorating t-shirts.

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