Welcome to the SCORE Small Business Success Blog, where small business experts and mentors share tips, discuss trends, and provide advice on a wide range of topics affecting entrepreneurs in every industry.
- Marketing, Public Relations & Sales (230) Apply Marketing, Public Relations & Sales filter
- Strategy & Planning (192) Apply Strategy & Planning filter
- Operations (109) Apply Operations filter
- Human Resources (108) Apply Human Resources filter
- Business Plans/Startup Assistance (95) Apply Business Plans/Startup Assistance filter
- Financing/Capital (87) Apply Financing/Capital filter
- Accounting & Cash Flow (72) Apply Accounting & Cash Flow filter
- Legal Issues (58) Apply Legal Issues filter
- Technology (56) Apply Technology filter
- Customer Relations (46) Apply Customer Relations filter
- Tax Planning (30) Apply Tax Planning filter
- Product Development & Manufacturing (22) Apply Product Development & Manufacturing filter
- Buying or Selling a Business (20) Apply Buying or Selling a Business filter
- International Trade (9) Apply International Trade filter
- Franchising (8) Apply Franchising filter
- Government Regulations & Contracting (6) Apply Government Regulations & Contracting filter
- Other (3) Apply Other filter
- Solopreneur/Freelancer (30) Apply Solopreneur/Freelancer filter
- Women Entrepreneurs (27) Apply Women Entrepreneurs filter
- Hispanic Entrepreneurs (16) Apply Hispanic Entrepreneurs filter
- Young Entrepreneurs (14) Apply Young Entrepreneurs filter
- Black Entrepreneurs (11) Apply Black Entrepreneurs filter
- Encore (50+) Entrepreneurs (7) Apply Encore (50+) Entrepreneurs filter
- Veteran Entrepreneurs (6) Apply Veteran Entrepreneurs filter
- Rural Entrepreneurs (2) Apply Rural Entrepreneurs filter
- Retail & Wholesale Trade (21) Apply Retail & Wholesale Trade filter
- Nonprofit, Public and Professional Organizations (15) Apply Nonprofit, Public and Professional Organizations filter
- Professional & Business Services (12) Apply Professional & Business Services filter
- Home or Personal Maintenance Services (10) Apply Home or Personal Maintenance Services filter
- Accommodation & Food Services (8) Apply Accommodation & Food Services filter
- Arts, Entertainment & Recreation (8) Apply Arts, Entertainment & Recreation filter
- Health Care & Social Assistance (6) Apply Health Care & Social Assistance filter
- Real Estate, Rental & Leasing (5) Apply Real Estate, Rental & Leasing filter
- Technical & Scientific Services (5) Apply Technical & Scientific Services filter
- Manufacturing & Industrial (4) Apply Manufacturing & Industrial filter
- Retail Trade (4) Apply Retail Trade filter
- Agriculture, Farming, Fishing & Hunting (3) Apply Agriculture, Farming, Fishing & Hunting filter
- Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (3) Apply Real Estate & Rental & Leasing filter
- Transportation & Warehousing (3) Apply Transportation & Warehousing filter
- Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1) Apply Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation filter
- Construction (1) Apply Construction filter
CornerBazar Created During Pandemic
The CornerBazar, an immersive shopping experience, was designed by SCORE DC client Marissa Sams and Nya Laemayhu as a way to launch FOUND, an evolving collection of curated apparel, home goods and one-of-kind objects.
Pitch Winner Spotlight: Johnny Landers, Anaïs Ortiz & Candygrams
Johnny Landers and Anaïs Ortiz were visiting Yosemite for the first time and staying at Curry Village Lodge in the park. After a day’s adventure, they settled down to play a board game. But, after sifting through the available options, they could not find one that was simple, fun, and playable by all. Instead, they brainstormed a word game that was not based on points or speed, but rather rewarded creative strategies and thoughtful word-making. Then, after being further inspired by a beautiful West Hollywood sunset of pinks, yellows and blues, Johnny and Anaïs concocted the idea for Candygrams, the word game that they always wanted to play.
Pitch Winner Spotlight: Loren Vasquez and Rose & Roo
Loren Vasquez had been an artist her whole life and has spent her career making art for other people and companies, including Disney! She wanted to create art for herself and started designing quirky enamel pins through her start-up business Rose & Roo.
SCORE in the News
SCORE DC mentor Ann Lim, her client Madelle Kangha and SCORE itself were featured in the 10/28 Washington Post Magazine article The Risks and Rewards of the Covid Career Makeover.
Pitch Winner Spotlight: Connie Inukai & Tip 'n Split
Connie Inukai loved to dine out with her friends, but, at age 68, she had trouble reading the small print on menus and bills in dimly lit restaurants. She was not alone in this challenge; people over 55 experience a decline in vision making reading in darker settings difficult. There had to be a better solution, she thought, than passing reading glasses around the table or fumbling with the flashlight app on her smart phone. The idea for Tip ‘n Split was born, and, with no prior experience, Connie got to work in 2013. “[A]fter 40 years as a University instructor, I put away my teaching materials and launched my own product.”
Karen Williams Presented Prestigious Conductor Award
Congratulations to our own Karen Williams who was recently awarded the prestigious SCORE Conductor Field Leadership Award for her many contributions to SCORE. The Conductor Award was created to recognize outstanding volunteer leadership and impact in the field. Past chapter chair, Certified Mentor, SCORE DC Webinar instructor, Chapter Executive Committee member, National Advisory Council member and National Women's Council member: Karen has contributed greatly to SCORE on both the chapter and national levels. Kudos!!!
Pitch Winner Spotlight: Nahum Jeannot & GoOats
Nahum Jeannot has spent most of his adult professional life in and around the food service industry, starting as a line cook in 2007. It was during his time as a head chef in 2015, when the idea of GoOats was first conceived. Chef Jeannot was preparing for the hotel’s grand opening celebration and wanted to include a fun, innovative finger food in his breakfast menu. He considered the oatmeal his mother made for him with milk, butter, spices, fresh fruits and more, but realized a bowl of oatmeal was neither fun, innovative nor a finger food. After mulling it over for a few days (and still thinking about his mother’s oatmeal), Nahum seized on the idea of “oatmeal bites.”
10 Ways Small Businesses Can Give Back To The Community
But besides monetary contributions, what are some other ways that small businesses can give back to their communities? To unlock some unique ideas, we asked business leaders and small business owners about the ways their company gives back to the community.
4 Secrets on How to Become a Successful Realtor
Real Estate remains an increasingly popular business choice for entrepreneurs. Use these suggestions to help ensure that you are not one of the 87% of new agents that fail after five years.
Seven Ways Mentorship Can Benefit Employees
Mentorship provides many benefits both to mentor and mentee. Patty Alpers, a mentoring expert, breaks down why you should incorporate mentorship into your small business.
The Benefits of Business Mentoring: 8 Business Mentors Weigh In
What are the benefits business leaders personally receive by serving as a business mentor? To identify these benefits, we asked expert business mentors about their experiences in guiding entrepreneurs towards success.
How to Ask Someone in Your Network for a Favor
It’s important to build mutually beneficial relationships with your network to help one another fuel your successes. But sometimes asking these professional references or acquaintances for a favor isn't easy. Use these rules to make it easier.