WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU COME FOR COUNSELING WITH SCORE®
Preparation on your part if you are:
A - STARTING A BUSINESS
- Know what business you really want to be in
- Do some Internet checking on the feasibility of that business
- Know that going into business is a BIG commitment on your part
- You may need a DBA (Doing Business As), think of appropriate names for your prospective business
- Know that SCORE® is not a lending institution, we only help your get to a position where you can go to a lending institution for the funds you need
- Write down you questions that you want SCORE® to answer
- Bring paper and pen for use during your counseling session
- Bring any info you have already accumulated regarding your potential business
B - AN EXISTING or ESTABLISHED BUSINESS
- Identify specific issues/concerns you need Score to provide assistance
- Bring financial statements (P&L/Balance Sheet/Cash Flow) if seeking financial advice
- Bring copy of your latest Business Plan (if you have one)
- Be prepared to discuss what has changed (new competitor, new products)
- Identify priorities for getting back on track
What will SCORE do for you?
- We will provide you down to earth, realistic answers to your questions from our experiences in business
- We will guide and coach you in how to prepare a business plan
- We will guide and coach you in the preparation of a cash flow plan (profit and loss)
- We will provide you material and resource for starting your business
- We will work with you as often as needed (and you are willing) to make sure your business plan is acceptable to the lending institution
- We will help you with your questions after you have come to us for counseling (even after you have started your business)
- Our services are always free, no matter how many times you come to see us
- We will encourage you to come back for follow up sessions, as needed, to assure you are ready to start your business properly
- We will probably give homework to do in the form of research, work on your business plan, gathering information for insurance, attorneys, finding and accountant, etc.
- If you are already in business we will assist with your issues/concerns. We strongly encourage you to see us before your concern/issue/problem becomes unmanageable.
Our Counselors will:
- Listen carefully to what you are telling them about your business
- Provide you with straight forward answers to your concerns
- Provide you with their vast experience
- Cause you to do your own research and homework
- Give you credible reviews for your business and financial plan
- Stick with you until you are ready to go to the lender of actually go into business
- Come to your existing business to assist with issues and concerns, as needed, after our initial counseling session. We will not come to a client's home to conduct SCORE business.
SCORE® will:
- Recommend multiple attorneys, accounting firms, insurance brokers, or lenders (usually three or more.
- Not provide funding to a potential business. We are not a lending institution nor do we guarantee loans.
- Can not accept gifts or donations for our services at any time.
IT IS SCORE®'S INTENT TO HAVE EVERY PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OWNER BE SUCCESSFUL, EVEN IF THE DECISION IS TO NOT PURSUE THE BUSINESS IDEA AT THIS TIME AFTER ADEQUATE DISCUSSION AND REVIEW.