Small Business Success Blog

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.

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.

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 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.

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.”

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!!!

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.”

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.