SCORE Mentors

08/10/2026

📚 Low-cost business learning opportunities await!

Join a SCORE Central Ohio OH webinar or workshop this week and 🚀

08/10/2026

“The amount of time they poured into me… it’s been life-changing.”

Edward Wheat has always worked with precision — whether in a lab or behind a barber’s chair. After years as a chemist and serving in the Army, he returned to the craft he first learned as a teenager, driven by the same standard: do it right, down to the finest detail.

Today, through Focus Integrated Business Experts LLC, Wheat is building more than a barbering career. From cutting hair on a military base serving thousands of soldiers to running a barber supply business, he’s working toward a vision of an all-in-one space for service, supply, and speed.

But turning that vision into reality took guidance.

With support from SCORE mentors Dennis Dunlap and Steve Click, Wheat developed a business plan, secured a five-year contract, and built a foundation for long-term growth. “They kept me focused… helping to steer me in the right direction, not letting me get too far off track,” he shared.

What started with a pair of clippers became something bigger — a business built on discipline, precision, and the power of mentorship.

Learn how SCORE helped Edward turn skill into structure and vision into opportunity.

08/09/2026

🐑🐑🐑4 Hills Farm🐑🐑🐑 Four Hills Farm, a business focused on raising sheep and marketing fresh lamb year-round.
CLICK TO WATCH https://bit.ly/47CRY5S

08/09/2026

Why Consistent Communication is Key for Small Business Growth
Communication is key to building relationships with your customers and clients.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Consistent communication builds trust and supports small business growth by ensuring your practices represent your brand and provide reliable customer service.

08/09/2026

Derek Ezovski: Powering Small Business Growth by Clearing the Path to “Yes”
CLICK TO READ https://bit.ly/4wdhpIn

08/09/2026

How Small Businesses Are Making It Easier for Customers To Say Yes
By Curtis Howse, Synchrony
CLICK TO READ

Last month was National Small Business Month, a time we celebrated the impact small businesses make on the economy and

08/09/2026

Why You Should Go “Undercover” Before Investing in a Franchise
By Mariano Espinosa, Scenthound
CLICK TO READ

If you’re considering investing in a franchise, your first instinct is probably to review financials, study the Franchise Disclosure Document

08/09/2026

18 Social Media Tactics for Small Business Growth. By Brett Farmiloe
These experts reveal their top tactics to help your small business thrive on social media.
CLICK TO LEEARN MORE

Discovering effective social media tactics is crucial for small business growth, so we asked 18 industry professionals, including CEOs

08/08/2026

“I took a class in business school about becoming an entrepreneur by acquiring someone else’s great idea. The concept resonated with me.”

After nearly a decade in corporate America, the owner of Blue Wrench Truck and Auto Repair decided it was time to make the leap.

In 2022, he and his business partner acquired a repair shop with more than 30 years of history serving Idaho's Treasure Valley. But buying a business and growing one are two very different challenges.

That’s why he reached out to SCORE almost immediately.

What he found wasn't just advice. It was a team of experienced business leaders willing to challenge assumptions, offer honest feedback, and help chart a smarter path forward. When he considered pursuing government contracts, his mentors advised a different route. Their guidance helped him focus on opportunities that better aligned with his goals and resources.

Since then, monthly meetings with SCORE mentors Dave and Don have become a cornerstone of the business's growth. From hiring and HR to marketing and expansion, they serve as trusted advisors and accountability partners.

“Having an experienced group of business experts as a sounding board is extremely helpful.”

Today, Blue Wrench continues to grow, serving everyone from Kenworth trucks to Honda sedans and helping keep the Treasure Valley moving.

Learn how SCORE helped turn a business acquisition into a growth strategy.

08/08/2026

Marie Louise Fine Garment Cleaners Uses SBA Support to Grow a Trusted Hawaii Dry Cleaning Business
CLICK TO READ https://bit.ly/4wgCPV3

08/07/2026

“Recognizing the gaps in my knowledge about opening and running a retail business, I turned to SCORE for their wealth of experience.”

Amanda Preske had a vision for making science accessible through art. She dreamed of creating a place where curiosity could come to life through hands-on experiences, creativity, and discovery.

But turning that vision into a thriving business required more than a passion for science.

Seeking guidance, Amanda connected with SCORE mentor Richard Rose, who helped her navigate business planning, location scouting, and lease negotiations. Together, they transformed an idea into Because Science: a retail storefront, event space, and creative studio where science becomes approachable, engaging, and fun for learners of all ages.

Today, Because Science is proving that science isn't just something you study. It's something you experience.

Sometimes the greatest discoveries happen outside the lab. For Amanda, one of them was finding a mentor.

08/05/2026

Your team helps your business thrive. Let's help you take care of them. 💙

Check out our guide to choosing the right health plan for your small business, brought to you by Aetna, for practical tips on comparing coverage, managing costs, and finding the best fit for your employees.

This guide helps small business owners choose the right health plan by evaluating coverage, costs, networks, and employee needs through nine practical steps.

08/05/2026

“One of the highlights of the event was connecting with the Allan Himmelstein and the SCORE team. They were incredibly generous with their time and shared thoughtful advice on navigating the government contracting space and how we can better position ourselves for future opportunities.”

- Robert McKay after attending a recent SBA Matchmaking event

That's what mentorship looks like. Sharing experience, answering questions, and helping entrepreneurs prepare for what's next.

How do you ?

08/03/2026

We'd add: a SCORE mentor. 😉 It might just be the highest ROI investment on the list... and the lowest cost too, because it's free. 💙

08/03/2026

08/03/2026

AUGUST WEBINAR SCHEDULE — Swipe through to learn more about this month’s sessions. 👉

8/4 - Going Beyond SEO: How to Get Found in Search, AI and Local Listings
8/11 - Understanding Your Funding Options: Loans, Grants, Investors and More
8/13 - Applying for a Business Loan: What Lenders Look for and How to Prepare
8/20 - Mastering Cash Flow Management – Manage Fluctuations and Uncover Hidden Cash
8/25 - Inside the Franchise Playbook: Proven Systems for Building and Scaling Your Business
8/27 - Goof-Proof Your Business: Prevent Costly Mistakes Before They Happen

We hope you enjoy this month’s line up and look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!

08/02/2026

Pin it to the SCOREboard 📌

What's one misconception people have about owning a business?

We'll use the comment section as a sounding board to offer resources and support.

---

Have something YOU want to ask other entrepreneurs? DM us to submit your prompts. 📩

08/01/2026

Happy Startup Day Across America!

Today, we celebrate everyone who's ever looked at an idea and said,

"Let's build something."

Every thriving small business started with that moment of courage.

If today is the day you decide to take your first step, SCORE is here to help. Explore our free Startup Roadmap and connect with an expert mentor to guide you from idea to launch.

Because no one has to build it alone.

🚀 Start your journey: score.org/startup-roadmap

07/30/2026

Sometimes the best business ideas begin at home.

When Anna's daughters couldn't find masks that fit during the pandemic, she designed her own. What started as a solution for her family soon grew into AnnaCalisa, an Etsy shop that eventually became a boutique in the Burlington Mall.

As the business grew, so did her vision. Today, AnnaCalisa showcases handcrafted gifts while creating opportunities for women-owned businesses, local artists, and independent makers.

With guidance from SCORE mentor Michael Thompson, Anna expanded beyond online sales, strengthened her business strategy, and turned a creative passion into a thriving retail business.

What started as a simple solution for her children became something much bigger.

The best businesses don't always start with a business plan. Sometimes they start by solving one small problem really well.