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Atlanta Chapter Wins 2007 Chapter of the Year |
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SCORE Atlanta Chairman, Steve Bloom, and Chair-Elect, Jeff Mesquita,
accept the national award on behalf of the entire chapter that helped make this honor possible. |
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Read the SCORE News Release.
SCORE honors Atlanta SCORE as the National SCORE Chapter of the Year. Atlanta SCORE earned this award for exceptional growth in the services provided to local entrepreneurs, the success of its public outreach, and excellent
client satisfaction. Visit Atlanta SCORE online at www.scoreatlanta.org. Chapter Chair Steve Bloom and Atlanta SCORE were honored by SCORE
and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) during Small Business Week 2008 in Washington, D.C. This is the second time Atlanta SCORE has won this honor. They were previously recognized as chapter of the year
in 1995. Atlanta SCORE provided 11,962 services through counseling and workshops last year—an increase of 50 percent over the year before. The chapter has grown substantially the past
several years with ten branch locations in counties and towns in the Atlanta metro region. Last year, the chapter installed Web video cameras in each Atlanta SCORE office, which allows volunteers to provide
face-to-face counseling to clients in more distant areas. In addition, the chapter recently hosted a highly successful speed coaching event, sponsored by OPEN from American Express, that
“sold out” in 36 hours. Hundreds of local businesses received free evaluation and mentoring sessions with Atlanta SCORE counselors. They also participated in interactive workshops that focused on promoting business
growth Client Testimonials "We told Atlanta SCORE Counselor Hooper Wesley our idea and concept,” says Karen Schwettman, co-owner of FoxTale Book Shoppe. “He
said, what a great idea, this could work. It really encouraged us. He was with us every step of the way. He even went to meetings with us at the bank. SCORE will shine helping people who wouldn’t go into business without a
strong support base." "It’s been wonderful. Everyone at SCORE is always very helpful and they make you think," says Adrienne Simpson, owner of Smooth Mooove Senior Relocation Services. "I often get
asked, can you help me start a business? I tell them, if you want to start or franchise a business, call on SCORE." "SCORE Counselor Pat Travisano gave me the confidence to move forward,"
says Jamie Fine, owner of Sugerplum Visions. "SCORE is really wonderful. It really got me started and made me realize that, yes, I can do this. SCORE is an amazing resource for anyone who wants to start a
business." "SCORE Counselor Steve Bloom helped us with research so we knew what we were talking about," says Victor Vaysman, co-owner of MedSide Home Health Care Services. "We did not know
about some of the loans available to us. He made sure we asked the right questions. We would not have been able to make the right decisions without his guidance."
 Criteria for Winning The SCORE Chapter of
the Year is selected from the district chapter winners. To qualify as a regional winner, chapters must submit reports demonstrating positive growth and increased services from the previous year, business plans from
the past two years and a narrative describing chapter activities, business and/or community involvement and the uniqueness or creativity of its program or activities.
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SCORE Atlanta Chairman, Steve Bloom, and Chair-Elect, Jeff Mesquita, join all the winners as they accept their awards. |
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SCORE National Chairman, Ken Yancey, SCORE Atlanta Chairman, Steve Bloom, and Atlanta Chair-Elect, Jeff Mesquita. |
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Connect With Women for Hire This Spring
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Atlanta: April 1 (Cobb Galleria Centre) Save the date for the upcoming Women For Hire career expo
in your area. Join us for a day of networking, talking to employers, and learning about different career paths. Be sure to register for our Early Morning Seminar taking place before each event with Women For Hire CEO and
Good Morning America Workplace Contributor, Tory Johnson. Visit www.WomenForHire.com
for more details. At each event, SCORE will hold a session on: Be Your Own Boss - Your Guide for Entrepreneurship. |
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SCORE and OPEN from American Express cordially invite you to the Small Business Speed Coaching Test Drive - a FREE EventUpdate: This event filled up fast
and registration has closed. Coaching sessions will be assigned first-come, first-served. Waiting List [Atlanta, GA, January 29, 2008]
Is your business ready to shift into high gear? Two nationally recognized resources for small business-SCORE, America's nonprofit small business counselor, and OPEN from American Express want to help you put the
pedal to the metal. Join us on the fast track for a free, invitation-only event-the Small Business Speed Coaching Test Drive-designed and built to meet the needs of your growing business:
Coaching: One-on-one business counseling from one of 50 SCORE counselors-all trained on steering small businesses into the fast lane.
Networking: Meeting, mingling, and solution-swapping with 250 Atlanta-area small business owners.
Tools: An array of incisive workshops addressing key success areas such as business planning, financial planning, marketing, and branding.
Advice: Practical tips from some of the region's most successful small business owners.
Resources: Lots and lots of takeaways, including publications, premiums, and special offers.
Inspiration: Dr. Timothy S. Mescon, Dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Hyatt Regency Downtown Atlanta
9AM - 4PM
Registration is online only OPEN® and SCORE have teamed up to present this event free of charge to all participants. Update: This event filled up fast
and registration has closed. Coaching sessions will be assigned first-come, first-served. Waiting List
SBA
announces online training
The U.S. Small Business Administration recently
introduced a new online training resource for budding entrepreneurs
to provide the fundamentals of starting a small business.
The Small Business Primer Strategies
for Success online training is a free course designed to assist
individuals who are thinking about starting a small business or who
are in the early stages of running a business.
This excellent training course can be
accessed at
www.sba.gov/training.
Business
Matchmaking is coming to Atlanta - SCORE Co-Sponsors
Business Matchmaking regional face-to-face events
bring together over 1,000 small business owners and managers with
procurement representatives from federal, state and local
governments as well as major corporations. The event is free to
attend for both buyers and sellers.
On April 17, 2007 at the Georgia World Congress
Center, small business owners from throughout the Atlanta region
will schedule meetings with top buyers from federal agencies as well
as leading Georgia and national major corporations. There are
opportunities in procurement in every imaginable field…from basic
janitorial services to sophisticated software.
To register, you must have a DUNS number and your
CCR registration number. If you already have this, call 800-994-4762
to receive a passcode to register for this event. Then register
here:
www.businessmatchmaking.com.
SCORE
Atlanta volunteers honored at holiday luncheon
[Atlanta GA, December 2006] SCORE Atlanta honored the following
volunteers at its 2006 holiday luncheon at the Ansley Golf and
Country Club. The honorees include:
Distinguished Service Awards
Larry Bradbury, Wanda Braziel, Carl Dendy,
Peggy
Duncan, Joe Ruf, Stan Segal, and Marv Trott
Time in Service
5 Years - Tom Clark, Avrum Fine, Bob Ingrassia,
and John Ollivier
10 Years - Ralph Farris, John Fowler
15 Years - Dave Dobson
20 Years -
Pete Bowles, Ralph Wedd
30 Years - Ev Harrell
Emeritus
Pete Bowles,
Bill Casey, Maury Riff, and Ralph Wedd
SCORE, a resource partner with
the US Small Business Administration, is a non-profit
association founded in 1964 to provide free counseling and
low-cost workshops to the small business community. It is a
national organization with 11,500 volunteers in 389 chapters
nationwide. More information is available on the Website at
www.scoreatlanta.org.
SCORE and Offices2Share.com Launch
Nationwide Contest
[Washington DC, November 25, 2006] SCORE [National] and
Offices2Share.com have launched the 2nd Annual Home Office from
Hell™ Contest, which offers 12 months of free rent in real
office space. SCORE counselors are invited to ask their
home-based business clients to submit their "Top 10 Reasons" for
wanting to move out of their home office. The winner can select
professional office space in any of the hundreds of cities
across the United States served by Offices2Share.com, plus other
prizes. Entries will be judged by an independent panel that
includes SCORE counselors.
To enter and read the official rules, prize
description, guidelines and helpful hints,
click here. The contest ends March 31, 2007.
SCORE Atlanta presents a conversation
with Clark Howard
“A Play by Play to SCORE a Successful
Business”
[Atlanta,
GA, October 6, 2006] The Georgia small business failure rate is
six percent higher than the national average. To reverse the
trend, SCORE® Atlanta will continue its series of highly
successful business training events featuring a conversation
with America’s money-savings expert, Clark Howard.
The event will be held Monday,
November 13th at the Cobb Galleria, from 8:00AM – 10:00AM.
Clark will deliver tips for
developing and running a small business at the least cost,
including:
- Securing capital.
- Obtaining healthcare for
employees.
- Running a home-based
businesses.
- Understanding available
retirement programs.
- Acquiring equipment, space,
and vehicles at the least cost.
- Securing a trademark or
patent.
- And much more!
REGISTER TODAY - ONLINE ONLY.
$20 per person ($15 before October 20). You must register at
www.SCOREAtlanta.org.
SCORE, a resource partner with
the US Small Business Administration, is a non-profit
association founded in 1964 to provide free counseling and
low-cost workshops to the small business community. It is a
national organization with 11,500 volunteers in 389 chapters
nationwide. More information is available on the Website at
www.scoreatlanta.org.
SCORE opens new office in Macon
The explosive
growth of small businesses in the Central Georgia area has prompted
the Atlanta chapter of the SCORE Association to open a counseling
desk at the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. The Atlanta chapter
currently has offices in downtown Atlanta, North Fulton, Cobb,
Coweta, Henry, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties. The 41-year-old
all-volunteer organization is made up of retired and active business
executives who lend their considerable expertise to counseling
entrepreneurs free of charge as a resource partner of the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA).
The Greater
Macon Chamber is supporting SCORE efforts to provide
counseling services. We're excited to have SCORE in Macon
and Bibb County to provide counseling to small businesses,"
said Brian Trapnell, Manager of Existing Business and
Industry.
SCORE counselors
address virtually all small business concerns from startup through
ongoing operations, including business plan preparation, funding
documentation, lender advice, business organization, cash-flow
management, marketing, sales, and strategic planning.
SCORE will begin
serving the Macon area business community Friday, April 7, 2006.
Initially, counseling will be available by appointment only at the
Chamber offices, at , 305 Coliseum Dr, Macon, GA 31202. Those
wishing to see a counselor may call 478-621-2000.
"We at SCORE are very
excited to be serving the Central Georgia area with quality business
counseling" said Tom Clark, SCORE/Atlanta Chairman.
SCORE Atlanta sets up program to
help small business owners stricken
by the Katrina disaster
If you have lost
or wish to relocate your business and want to consider a new start
in the Atlanta area SCORE can help. We offer counseling in various
locations around metropolitan Atlanta. We can help you understand
the local market, demographics, business opportunities and more …
and, of course, it is free. In addition to SCORE counseling the SBA
has loans available to small businesses.
The SBA Disaster
Assistance Office provides loans to small businesses who are victims
of Hurricane Katrina. Loans to businesses and non-profit
organizations are available up to $1.5 million to repair damage to
real estate, machinery, equipment and inventory. Economic Injury
Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available to small businesses unable to
pay bills or meet operating expenses. Interest rates can be as low
as 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years.
The SBA has a
customer service line at 1-800-659-2955, which is available 6:00 am
to 11 pm , 7 days a week, or clients can e-mail them at
disastercustomerservice at sba.gov. Additional information can be
found on the following links.
SCORE business counselors open
seventh location: Conyers office to
serve
small business growth
The
explosive growth of small businesses East of Atlanta has prompted
the Atlanta chapter of the SCORE Association to open a counseling
desk at the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce. The Atlanta
chapter currently has offices in downtown Atlanta, and North Fulton,
Cobb, Coweta, Henry and Gwinnett counties. The 41-year-old
all-volunteer organization is made up of retired and active business
executives who lend their considerable expertise to counseling
entrepreneurs free of charge as a resource partner of the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA).
The Conyers-Rockdale
Chamber is supporting SCORE efforts to provide counseling services.
"It is imperative that we provide all of the support we can as a
Chamber and a community to these important contributors to our local
economy" said Fred Boscarino, Rockdale County Chamber of Commerce
President and CEO.
SCORE counselors
address virtually all small business concerns from startup through
ongoing operations, including business plan preparation, funding
documentation, lender advice, business organization, cash-flow
management, marketing, sales, and strategic planning.
SCORE will begin serving
the Rockdale business community Wednesday, June 1, 2005. Initially,
counseling will be available by appointment only at the Chamber
offices, at 1186 Scott Street, Conyers, GA 30012. Those wishing to
see a counselor may call 770-483-7049 or fill out a request on-line
at
www.scoreatlanta.org. While at the site, entrepreneurs are
encouraged to sign up for SCORE's highly praised seminars.
SCORE business counselors open
sixth location: McDonough office
to serve small business growth
The
explosive growth of small businesses south of Atlanta has prompted
the Atlanta chapter of the SCORE Association to open a counseling
desk at the McDonough Branch of the Henry County Library System. The
Atlanta chapter currently has offices in downtown Atlanta, North
Fulton, Cobb, Newnan and Gwinnett counties. The 40-year-old
all-volunteer organization is made up of retired and active business
executives who lend their considerable expertise to counseling
entrepreneurs free of charge as a resource partner of the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA).
The Henry County
Chamber is supporting SCORE efforts to provide counseling services.
"It is imperative that we provide all of the support we can as a
Chamber and a community to these important contributors to our local
economy" said Greg Hammonds, Henry County Chamber of Commerce
Chairman.
SCORE counselors
address virtually all small business concerns from startup through
ongoing operations, including business plan preparation, funding
documentation, lender advice, business organization, cash-flow
management, marketing, sales, and strategic planning.
SCORE will begin
serving the business community Tuesday, March 1, 2005. Initially,
counseling will be available Tuesday and Thursday by appointment
only at the McDonough Library, 1001 Florence McGarity Blvd (off
highway 81 approximately 3 miles east of the square). Those wishing
to see a counselor may call 770-954-0021 or fill out a request
on-line at www.scoreatlanta.org. While at the site, entrepreneurs
are encouraged to sign up for SCORE's highly praised seminars.
"We at SCORE are very
excited to be serving the South Metro I-75 Corridor with quality
business counseling" said Tom Clark, SCORE/Atlanta Chairman.
SCORE Atlanta selected as national chapter
of the year finalist:
SCORE national office
praises chapter for its success
Atlanta, GA-The Atlanta SCORE Chapter is recognized by the SCORE
Association "Counselors to America's Small Business" as a finalist
for 2004 SCORE National Chapter of the Year. The chapter earned this
consideration through its proven success in meeting the needs of the
Atlanta small business community. Fewer than 10 of SCORE's 389
chapters nationwide were selected for this award.
The SCORE Chapter of the Year
recognizes those chapters whose volunteer counselors have exceeded
high standards for counseling small business clients. This includes
expanding counseling offerings, community outreach, and programs
that benefit local small businesses. This year's SCORE Chapter of
the Year is Richmond, VA.
SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, "Atlanta SCORE counselors show tremendous
dedication to ensuring the success of small businesses in their
community, and to the quality of services they offer." Yancey adds,
"Our local volunteers draw from their business expertise to provide
dependable advice and build lasting relationships with Atlanta's
small businesses."
Since 1964, the SCORE Association has
assisted more than 6.5 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small
business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than
10,500 volunteer business counselors serve their communities through
entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and
success of small businesses. For information about starting or
operating a small business, and to find a SCORE office near you,
visit www.scoreatlanta.org or call 404-331-0121.
SCORE business counselors open
fifth location: Newnan-Coweta office
to serve small business growth
The explosive
growth of small businesses south of Atlanta has prompted the Atlanta
chapter of the SCORE Association to open a counseling desk at the
Newnan-Coweta chamber of Commerce. The Atlanta chapter currently has
offices in downtown Atlanta , North Fulton , Cobb and Gwinnett
chambers of commerce. The 40-year-old all-volunteer organization is
made up of retired and active business executives who lend their
considerable expertise to counseling entrepreneurs free of charge as
a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
"The
Chamber is delighted to expand its existing services to small
businesses by welcoming SCORE to the team, " said Newnan-Coweta
Chamber of Commerce President Candace LaForge. "The new Small
Business Center will strengthen the Chamber's support to small
businesses by providing increased access to advice and information."
SCORE
counselors address virtually all small business concerns from
startup through ongoing operations, including business plan
preparation, funding documentation, lender advice, business
organization, cash-flow management, marketing, sales, and strategic
planning.
SCORE counselors will be
sharing duties with Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
advisors from West Georgia College already working at the chamber.
SBDCs likewise counsel under SBA auspices.
SCORE will begin serving
the business community Thursday, September 9th. Initially,
counseling will be available Tuesday and Thursday by appointment
only at the chamber offices: 23 Bullsboro Drive , Newnan. Those
wishing to see a counselor may call the chamber at 770-253-2270 or
fill out a request online at www.scoreatlanta.org. While at
the site, entrepreneurs are encouraged to sign up for SCORE's highly
praised seminars.
"This new office
continues our commitment to small businesses throughout the Greater
Atlanta area." exclaims Fred Abood , SCORE/Atlanta chairman. "We
want every business to succeed."
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