“SCORE has an enormous number of free resources available to your readers,” said Bob Boles, district director of SCORE St. Louis. “We have an incredible mission: education, counseling and outreach.”
SCORE St. Louis hosted its annual awards and networking luncheon on Oct. 4 at the Sunset 44 Bistro & Banquet Center in Kirkwood. Keynote speaker Ron Ameln, owner and president of St. Louis Small Business Inc. and publisher of St. Louis Small Business Monthly, addressed about 70 attendees.
“I truly believe that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of entrepreneurs in St. Louis ready and poised to be the next Express Scripts or Build-A-Bear,” Ameln said. “Owning a business is like being an airplane pilot or surgeon, it takes years of experience. SCORE plays a role in helping business owners get better experience.”
SCORE St. Louis is one of 364 chapters associated with SCORE, the largest national nonprofit volunteer organization for small businesses; there are approximately 13,000 volunteers. In 2011, SCORE helped U.S. citizens create 67,098 new jobs.
SCORE St. Louis served over 2,000 clients and is the largest SCORE chapter in Missouri with six counseling locations throughout the metro area, St. Charles and Kirkwood, according to the 2011-12 annual report.
SCORE volunteers have expertise in such areas as: business finance & accounting, strategy and planning, sales, marketing and technology.
Gary O’Grady, SCORE St. Louis Counselor, owned an ice-cream and yogurt store for six years before selling his business. He hopes to help people avoid common mistakes he made when he first started out. He advises his mentees about business curves.
“Having your own business is a difficult job,” O’Grady said. “In the retail business, you work seven days a week and about 10 hours a day. Plus, you have to consider the impact it has on your family.”
Jan Cerny, founder and Human Resources Consultant of Leadership Journeys, made her debut as a SCORE volunteer at the luncheon. She worked in the human resources field for more than 20 years before she decided to open her own business this past summer.
“I was on a journey of exploration to live my best life ever after leaving the corporate world,” Cerny said.
Through Leadership Journeys, she provides leadership coaching, team building and organization effectiveness. She met a SCORE volunteer at a St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA) networking breakfast at Saint Louis University’s John Cook School of Business in March who piqued her interest in the organization. She credits SCORE with guiding her on how-to write a business plan and manage her finances.
“All the volunteers came to SCORE to give back,” Boles said. “They need help out there and that’s what we’re going to give them.”
Since 1964, SCORE St. Louis has offered low-cost educational workshops and seminars, one-on-one confidential counseling and ongoing mentoring for existing and aspirant small business owners and entrepreneurs. Yet, a small portion of the African-American business community remains unaware of this resource. Women and minorities represent 21 percent of SCORE St. Louis volunteers.
As district director, Boles strives to increase the organization’s engagement by networking with leaders within the African-American business community.
Three years ago, Boles began consulting with Evelyn Preston, founder and president of the African-American Chamber of Commerce. The African-American business community is growing, she said; however, it has its challenges.
“Education is a good thing, and there’s a need for these services,” Preston said.
If you are interested in volunteering or receiving services, contact Bob Boles at (636)227-9912 or eduincreadnwrite@aol.com. SCORE St. Louis invites you to attend an upcoming seminar: Salesmanship – Initiating and Maintaining Contact with Your Customer on Saturday October 27, 2012 from 9:15 to 11:45 a.m., at the SCORE Kirkwood Office. R.S.V.P. by calling 314-539-6600 x 260 or email_score@stlscore.org.