SCORE - The Best Kept Secret

Jobany talks to Dr. Marrella, Founder and President at Center For Leadership and Ethics and the Money Doctor, about the pride of being a SCORE Mentor. "Influence and Inspiration are what it is all about!" - Dr. Marrella. This is a great interview between two great SCORE mentors!

Johanny Cepeda-Freyitz propietaria de "Mi Casa Su Casa" dice SCORE se convirtió en una parte de su negocio después de que ya abrió su restaurante. Su restaurante estuvo abierto durante varios años cuando la economía se hundió y necesitó ayuda e ideas para mantenerse con vida y seguir creciendo. Ella dice: "Lo que más recuerdo de SCORE es que estaban allí, escucharon y me dieron un gran consejo". Johanny tiene asignaciones de tarea. Le hicieron preguntas básicas sobre finanzas y precios. Los mentores de SCORE fueron una gran caja de resonancia para que ella hablara a través de asuntos de negocios. Ella estaba impresionada de que no la conocieran en absoluto, pero dio libremente de su tiempo para ayudarla a través de una parte difícil de su viaje de negocios. Ella dice que le dieron confianza y esperanza durante una crisis económica, cuando ella se preguntaba si debería tirar la toalla o seguir adelante. Eso fue hace 5 años y ahora está celebrando 9 años en los negocios. Johanny dice: "Una de las cosas que aprendí fue no estar asustada o avergonzada por lo que estaba pasando como un negocio".

Johanny Cepeda-Freyitz owner of ‘Mi Casa Su Casa” says SCORE became a part of her business after she already opened her restaurant. Her restaurant was open for several years when the economy tanked and she needed help and ideas to stay alive and continue to grow. She says, “What I remember most about SCORE is they were there, they listened and they gave me great advice”. Johanny got homework assignments. She was asked basic questions about finances and pricing. SCORE mentors were a great sounding board for her to talk through business issues. She was impressed that they didn’t know her at all but gave freely of their time to help her through a difficult part of her business journey. She says they gave her confidence and hope during an economic crisis when she was wondering if she should throw in the towel or keep going. That was 5 years ago and now she is celebrating 9 years in business. Johanny says, “One of the things I learned was not to be scared or embarrassed by what I was going through as a business”.

Steve Davis of SCORE talks to Lt. Andrew Winters of the Reading Police Department about the success of the Reading Police Youth Academy. SCORE was instrumental in the start up of this Academy, between organization and logistics, the Reading Police Youth Academy is a huge success. Find out more about this amazing project!

Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention. The necessity is the ability to move a bed-ridden person and the invention is the Tuxedo Bed Sled. Karen Shiffert is the owner of Caregivers Aide, LLC. Her husband suffered from Parkinson’s Disease and passed away about 3 years ago. Karen is a seamstress and fashioned a sort of sled for ease of moving her husband around in the bed. It was also used to transport his body to the funeral home. The funeral directors appreciated the ease with which a body could be transported with the bed sled. Their input resulted in some structural changes and a demand from funeral homes. But Karen needed a plan. That’s where SCORE came in. Karen attended SCORE classes at RACC and learned how to develop a business plan and crunch the numbers to determine if this idea was realistic. SCORE also afforded her the opportunity to compete in Lion Launch, a Shark Tank like competition funded through Penn State University. She was able to SCORE prize money to market her new business.

Kelly Daughtry wanted to expand her cleaning business but couldn’t figure out the next move. A friend told her about SCORE and she gave them a call. She made more connections through SCORE, worked with mentors and attended a 3-week class. Four years later Kelly’s Kleaning morphed from a Proprietorship to an LLC. Kelly and has 11 employees. She no longer cleans, but she remains busy working ON her business. Spread the work to your friends … SCORE can help you start and grow your business. Kelly says, “If you have that passion, drive and determination, that will help you grow the business … SCORE will be the springboard”. Learn more about Kelly’s business here http://www.kellys-kleaning.com

Alyse Mitten talks to Lori Williams about her very cool product - BREW BUTTN - a beverage identification device; beverage rating device; beverage promotional or advertising device. Lori shares how SCORE helped her from the original concept to manufacturing, how to handle sales and get this to market!

Meet Jennifer Schmehl owner with her husband of a CSA farm, Oak Nut Farm. Jennifer was introduced to SCORE at a child’s birthday party, now that’s networking! Jennifer followed up on the contact and was glad she did. Hear Jennifer’s story about QuickBooks, cyber counseling and CSA. Yes, that sounds like an odd set of connections. Small businesses come in varying forms with a common denominator of all aspects of starting, growing, and operating a successful business. The outcome, Jennifer being able to do the things she does best. Jennifer wisely accessed very specific SCORE services. Jennifer also shares great insights into farming, CSA, and starting a business

Meet Gilbert Nazario owner of Clean Floors and More ( http://www.CleanFloorsandMore.net )a commercial cleaning business. Gilbert was introduced to SCORE at a SBDC networking event. At the same time Gilbert was looking to start his own cleaning business. Hear Gilbert’s story about taking advantage of the free mentoring and where this has led. Gilbert has a good grasp of all the aspects of SCORE and has been very active in utilizing these services. Gilbert has also been a vocal proponent of SCORE and how they can help people in the process of starting a new business. Listen to Gilbert, in his very engaging style, tell his story about recommending SCORE to family members and others. Watch or listen to more of our story on SCORE, the Best Kept Secret (http://www.thepeoplechronicles.com/non-profits/score-best-kept-secrets/) and learn about how we are impacting other small business owners through mentoring and training.

SCORE was very excited to speak with Karen Marsdale from the Greater Reading Chamber & Economic Development Corporation. Did you know that SCORE has been a partner of the Greater Reading Chamber & Economic Development Corporation for over 20 years? In this show, Karen shares her support and gratitude for Berks best kept secret in the business community. We hear some great stories from Karen’s personal experience with SCORE along with its volunteers. “Economic vibrancy is the beginning of all things positive in communities” states Karen. She feels the collaboration with SCORE helps the business community become a better place. Tune in to our show “SCORE, The Best Kept Secret” and listen to this great interview with Karen Marsdale.

Check out this episode of “SCORE, The Best Kept Secret” where Jobany speaks with James Guischard, a young entrepreneur and RACC student who was looking to learn more about economic development. He learned about SCORE and how they host several classes at RACC regarding business ownership. As a current Albright College student and full time employee he continues to strive to own his own business. James has the goal of connecting his financial education with individuals in the community seeking to learn about financial literacy and preparing their credit for a strong financial future. Listen to his story on how he wants to enrich the lives of his community through entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Harry Crosswell is a retired lawyer from Williamson Freeberg & Jones And now serves as a mentor for entrepreneurs at SCORE. He says all you really need is an idea… that’s enough to connect with a mentor at SCORE. Harry is always impressed with the preparation of entrepreneurs. As a mentor Harry says he is always “conscious of the fact they don’t know what they don’t know and there are mistakes and traps for the unwary”. He adds, “Mentoring is an opportunity to point them out, because I’ve fallen into most of them”. SCORE mentors are here to help address issues you may not have thought about. We are available to guide you through the processes of permits, competition, pricing, services, legal issues, accounting and so forth. Harry says follow-up meetings with entrepreneurs are never a problem. He and the mentor team at SCORE welcome the opportunity to meet as often as necessary for success.

Berks Schuylkill SCORE Meet JT Herber an attorney and why he volunteers with SCORE. JT’s story, like all stories has a unique perspective. JT was introduced to SCORE as a client for a local non-profit. JT was impressed, decided to join SCORE and become a volunteer, hear his story. JT is a very well rounded individual and you can also hear other aspects of volunteering JT provides with an emphasis on community.

What is Lion Launch? Let’s find out more with Laura Hoppes, Lion Launch Coordinator. Laura shared with us about this brand new entrepreneurial initiative being held at the Schuylkill Campus of Penn State. The Program is open to the community as well as Penn State students and staff. The first phase of Lion Launch is a ten-week Bootcamp entitled How to Start or Grow your Business. Some of the subjects provided in the ten week session include: human resources, marketing, social media, and insurance, to mention a few. Following the bootcamp, those participating move into creating a business plan for a four to five week period Phase II is a business competition. Penn State has earmarked $50,000 to help businesses earn money to build their business. The business competition will be open to the public as well as those in Lion Launch. It will be a shark tank type presentation with money presented to the top three winners. Phase III will be the incubator program providing businesses with a location to not only work on their business but to have administrative assistance as well as provide a means for networking and mentoring their business. SCORE has been very instrumental in implementing Phase I of the program by helping to create the curriculum and provide the speakers for the Bootcamp. Laura sees the SCORE mentors becoming a key role in Phase II and III. The most exciting fact is that Lion Launch has the potential of helping more than 75 businesses get involved in the community with its three year commitment to the Schuylkill county area. Some of the businesses that are in the initial class include a winery, medical device, and online businesses. Your business could become involved in future classes.

Meet Mary Jo Moss, Program Manager of YEA, Youth Entrepreneur Academy and Collin Felty a YEA graduate. YEA is a national program whose outcome is to create CEOs of real businesses. Hear how Mary Jo has grown YEA in Schuylkill County, the range of ages of the students, and most importantly how YEA instills confidence and growth in the students. Finally hear how SCORE and the business community stepped up and engaged and supported YEA. This is our future. Next meet Collin Felty, a YEA graduate, who has a great story to tell. Collin joined the program at age 11 and is already the CEO of his own company. Hear Collin’s story on why he is glad he joined YEA and his challenges.

Joe Hammond, Business Development Officer with Thompson VistBank, shared with us how he, personally, benefits from helping others through mentoring. Joe finds that through mentoring businesses and organizations it’s all about managing risks. The nice thing with being mentored by SCORE is that a business or organization can continue to mentor with their SCORE mentor or other mentors to fill the need they may have. For instance, maybe there is a need to discuss franchising. We can reach out to not only local mentors but also mentors throughout the United States. And, all of these mentoring session are free and confidential. Joe’s advice to businesses and organizations is to have the right team with you when starting a business. The Schuylkill SCORE chapter is very tailored to help not only start up businesses but also those businesses who are in business for quite some time and are looking for assistance. You can make us “Your Best Kept Secret.”

Bob Carl, President and CEO of Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, shares in this podcast how Berks SCORE filled a need for the Chamber by creating a Schuylkill Branch of SCORE in 2011. We continue to work together in helping businesses and nonprofit organizations. What is also taking off is the opportunities to train through programs offered at the Penn State campus. What is so different between Berks and Schuylkill is that the majority of mentors in Berks are retired yet in the Schuylkill branch the majority of the mentors are still working and working in businesses that are very key to businesses and nonprofits alike. They are the bankers, attorneys, accountants who are very important in helping to nurture the businesses and nonprofits for the future. Listen in on everything Bob has to share about how SCORE filled a need for the Chamber that continues to fill a need for the businesses or organizations to grow in the Schuylkill county. You can make us “Your Best Kept Secret.”

Meet Matt Smith owner of Skyview Productions, a drone based video company. This all started with a phone call from a fireworks company asking Matt to video their upcoming fireworks show. Growing up Matt always had an interest in remote controlled airplanes and photography. When drones came out Matt immediately saw the potential for drone based videos. Matt loved the technology and wants to be self-sufficient working for himself. Matt is now transforming a hobby he loves into a business. Hear Matt tell his story about his evolution and his challenges of starting a new business

Jan Press learned about SCORE 15 years ago when her family business was struggling. Jan sought advice from SCORE mentors and found them to be very helpful. Five years ago Jan became a Quick Book Pros Advisor and started her own business, SIRUS ACCOUNTING to provide management accounting services to small businesses. Jan found there is a great need for a better understanding of accounting and the associated technology available. She also remembered the help she received from SCORE years ago and wanted to pay it forward so she became a SCORE Advisor Tune in to hear some success stories and a variety of ways Jan is able to help other entrepreneurs succeed.

Daniel Laws says, “A lot of times as a small business owner you find a lot of times you are on an island”. SCORE is an asset here in Reading I used to maximize our resources. SCORE mentors are great when you need to bounce ideas off someone, and help brainstorm and walk through daily challenges. How easy is it to connect? Daniel says it’s as easy completing an on-line request form. SCORE contacted him within 48 hours. Daniel talks about the value of SCORE’s confidential feedback for his full service digital marketing company DaBrian Marketing. Find out how he was able to grow his Reading based business on a national scale and why he is committed to keeping his business in Downtown Reading.ss owner.

Anita talks about her small business journey. Anita started baking pastries for local cafés about 15 years ago. One of her clients asked her if shoe could make biscotti. Anita never did that before bit took a stab at it anyway. Today Anita sells her biscotti all over the country through her website www.anitas-biscottis.com . She also has her own showroom in Shillington, where the biscotti is made. Anita specializes in what she calls ‘Americanized Biscotti’ available in nearly 50 different flavors. How did she turn her baking hobby into a small business.? Anita took the recommendation of a friend and contacted SCORE. She tells Jobany Bedoya, a mentor at SCORE, about that first meeting. As her business morphs she continues to rely on SCORE mentors for advice and guidance. Tune in to find out how SCORE is helping her through her biggest challenge as a small business owner.

Brittany Parrish is an avid cook, has always been interested in herbs and is a tea enthusiast. She found it difficult to find the herbs she needed in the Berks County area and decided to fill that void. She also found the area Farmers Markets are a great place for small businesses to ‘get a start’. FEEL GOOD HERBALS is now open for business in the Shillington Farmers Market. Brittany Parrish did an on-line search to find out how to start a business and that led her to SCORE. Brittany Parrish is a brand new entrepreneur. She shares her story with Jobany, a mentor at SCORE. Tune in to find out what the first steps she took with SCORE in order to launch her business. If you are thinking about starting your own business you’ll find her advice motivating.

In my interview with Elizabeth Sichinga with African Global Super Center we learn how her small business, which focuses on opening trade between the United States and Africa, has been able to utilize SCORE over the years to build her business. Based out of Reading, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth brings together SMEs, which are Small and Medium Size Enterprises, by educating businesses on how to do business in the United States for those who are in Africa and Africa for those who are in the United States. Elizabeth shares with us how those who mentored her not only provided her with business advice but also provided her with valuable training. One of the sessions she attended was our eight-week course on How To Start Your Own Business. Training in International Trade helped her to round out the training she needed to create her business. She met once again with a new energy realizing what she wanted to do was larger than what one person could accomplish. With the assistance of her mentors she created her mission and business plan to move forward with building a support group of senior partners, business partners, and technical advisors. Her business, through conferences both in the United States and Africa, help to create support for small and medium sized enterprises through government support as well as building relationships between United States and African businesses. In the future, AGSC is looking forward to even opening warehouses in the United States and Africa. For Elizabeth, SCORE provides her with the technical support she needs to continue to build her business. She looks at her mentors as a team of consultants to provide her with valuable advice.

What an interesting interview with David Nazario, owner of Scared of a Day Job. David is a speaker, writer, and entrepreneur who is a great example of the new generation of business owners who can work pretty much anywhere. David has had the opportunity to teach in New York as well as in the Berks County area. David learned about SCORE from his brother, Gilbert Nazario who utilized the mentors with SCORE to build his business. What he likes about his relationship with his mentors is how they keep him accountable and provide goals for him to achieve. He also likes how he can call on his mentors at anytime. David is working right now on a proposal for his book entitled, "Why Love is More Important than Religion." He is putting a major focus on completing his book and has a great following on Facebook for helping him to kick off the book once finished. One of the great benefits for David is that, as he gets deeper into completing his book, he can reach out to mentors through SCORE.org to find a mentor who specializes on book publishing. David shared with us how SCORE mentors help him to stay focused and accountable in moving forward with the tasks to build his business. Watch for David's book online by going onto Facebook at Why Love Is More Important Than Religion.

In our interview with Jennifer Bednez with Sweet Surprises we discover how SCORE helps her to go from corporate America to a successful owner and entrepreneur. When Jennifer managed herself out of her job after 14 years, she found herself at home and depressed. On an introduction with the owner at that time, Jennifer found herself in the retail world and loving it. As one thing led to another Jennifer found herself considering ownership of the business when the owner shared her desire to retire and sell. Entered in SCORE. Jennifer found herself in need of assistance to create a business plan. She felt very comfortable with the numbers side of the plan but what about marketing, retail and taxes? All this was out of her realm of knowledge. Fortunately, SCORE provides ongoing support and the ability to meet with mentors who specialize in specific subjects providing support throughout the life of a business. Jennifer found herself meeting with her mentor who helped her to take those baby steps, as she called them, and provide her with the confidence to create a successful business. Jennifer loves the way she can call on her mentor anytime she wants, if she is facing a big decision, she can call him for advice. He sometimes provides her with names of subject matter experts to assist with the situation. She even finds herself sharing those successes with him as well. If we were to hone in on the one reason Jennifer and entrepreneurs like Jennifer enjoy their experience with SCORE , it's the continued support and having someone there anytime for any reason. Make SCORE your best kept secret for the success of your business.

Fabienne Daniels started a business called "Off Site Assistants" She helps clients maintain their sales, service, organization, websites, order processing and more! When Fabienne moved to Berks County she started to put pieces together to create a strong foundation for her business. She shared her experience with creating a business plan and continuing to adjust it according to her business needs. SCORE has been a blessing to her business and she is very thankful for us. Tune in to hear about how SCORE is her "Best Kept Secret"

Steve Davis is a SCORE mentor who talks about how he got involved with the organization. His neighbor Dave Verrill is the local chapter president and he kept trying to convince Steve to join SCORE. After numerous attempts, Dave finally got Steve to join! After joining SCORE Steve says he appreciates the value of the organization because it helped him learn a different perspective on small business ownership since his wife started a small business as well. He realized that if she would have used SCORE, she would have saved many hours of work. Steve talks about his experiences with different clients. He is proud to be a SCORE counselor, volunteering his time in a free and confidential environment. Tune in to hear about how SCORE is his “Best Kept Secret”

Full of energy and enthusiasm, Megan Zettlemoyer shared her journey as a graphic designer who explored letterpress printing. After really enjoying this printing method that’s been around for hundreds of years, she contacted SCORE about starting a new business. After working in a small room at home, she decided to take the leap and open her own business in Lancaster. She is now the proud and excited owner of Typothecary Letterpress & Design. Tune in to hear about how SCORE is her “Best Kept Secret”

Jonathan Moyer is a young entrepreneur who shares tells his journey with SCORE. His journey is one of evolution. He takes us through the tale of being one of the three partners who used the services at SCORE to first start a business and then to end the business. Yes SCORE helped all partners mediate a separation in business ownership! Jonathan remains a user of SCORE services as he re-invents himself in a new business venture. Tune in to hear about how SCORE is his “Best Kept Secret”

Steve Bobick has been a counselor at SCORE for 5 years. He’s retired from a consulting business and needed something to keep busy when he found the SCORE opportunity. He combines his love for meeting new people with his enthusiasm for new business ideas at SCORE. He enjoys the lasting relationships that have developed over the years. Steve Bobick shares the counseling success stories that he finds very rewarding. Tune in to hear about how SCORE is his “Best Kept Secret”

What does SCORE and the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry have in common? A lot! Gail Landis, Vice President of Government & Community Relations says, “We work together to help business start-ups, early stage and second stage existing businesses.” Right now, the best way to explain what is happening with businesses these days is to say there is an entrepreneurial eco-culture happening and SCORE is a vital part of it. Listen to Gail’s conversation to find out more. If you have a burning desire to begin a business, make SCORE your best kept secret. We're just a phone call away, 610-376-3497. You’ll find us tucked away in the corner of the Chamber offices on the fifth floor of The Gateway Building, 201 Penn Street in Reading.

When asked, what is the biggest challenge small business owners have?, Lori Donofrio-Galley, Executive Director for the Northeast Chamber of Commerce says, “There are many, but the number one challenge is time management.” Small business owners need to wear many hats when running a business. Not only do they have to pull up their sleeves and get involved with working on the product or service they sell. They also have to run their businesses making sure every part of the business runs smoothly. Lori shares the many ways SCORE provides small business owners with the ability to improve and work on these challenges. Those business owners who make SCORE their best kept secret are able to leverage on the free, confidential mentoring waiting for them. Make SCORE your best kept secret.

In this interview you will hear from Russ Hoke, Director of Educational Services with the Berks|Schuylkill SCORE chapter on another of our best kept secrets, training. We could easily have another tagline, SCORE, Trainers to America’s Small Business. In addition to mentoring small businesses to success we also provide training. We offer training through the Reading Area Community College every Spring and Fall on a variety of subjects.

Do you have an idea to start a business? Need someone to listen to your idea? Your Best Kept Secret is SCORE. SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, provide free, confidential guidance and mentorship. As Dave Verrill, President of Berks|Schuylkill SCORE shares in this interview, “We are a group of dedicated listeners who will mentor business owners and help them realize their dreams.”