SCORE Mentors

09/07/2026

Pin it to the SCOREboard 📌

What's one resource, podcast, app, or book you'd recommend to every entrepreneur?

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

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

09/04/2026

“​​With SCORE you have someone in your corner who can ask you the right questions, connect you with experts, and help you access a world of opportunity.”

For Amanda Chavero, founder of Dear Donor, building a business meant turning a decade of nonprofit experience into a new kind of opportunity: helping small organizations do more without significantly increasing their overhead.

But expertise in her field didn't automatically mean knowing how to build a business.

So Amanda turned to SCORE.

Her mentor, Mark Lancaster, helped her develop a long-term vision, navigate HR questions, distinguish growth from scale, and even plan for maternity leave as her business expanded.

The results came quickly. In Dear Donor's first full year, Amanda raised more than $700,000. The following year, with two employees on her team, she raised $3.2 million with a 40% success rate.

Today, Dear Donor is helping nonprofits build capacity and secure the resources they need to make their missions possible. And Amanda is doing it with the confidence and perspective she gained along the way.

“I love helping my clients capture their dreams,” she says, “and I appreciate SCORE’s help in realizing mine.”

09/03/2026

Quote of the day.

09/03/2026

"You can run a business really well and still be unhappy if the business model doesn’t match your own rhythm and flow."

Excellent read!!

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

Kenneth McLaurin, Founder of Evolution Skincare & SHIS and SCORE client, was recently invited to share his work at Atlanta Tech Week.

Reflecting on the opportunity and the people and communities that have helped shape his journey, he said:

“No one builds something meaningful alone.”

From challenging him to think differently to providing mentorship, resources, and connections, SCORE has been part of Kenneth’s journey as he continues to grow his business and expand his vision for its impact.

His story is a reminder that sometimes the right conversation, connection, or piece of advice can change the trajectory of what you're building.

Way to go, Kenneth! We can't wait to see where you GROW next.

08/31/2026

Tax season doesn't only come once a year for many small business owners.

If you're self-employed, run a partnership or own a corporation, the IRS may expect you to pay taxes four times a year rather than in one lump sum each spring.

Learn more in our latest article, brought to you by Block Advisors by H&R Block.

Find out why quarterly taxes matter to your business and how you can take care of them.

08/31/2026

Sometimes tax season arrives before your records are ready. The good news is that the IRS offers a simple tool built for exactly this moment: the tax extension.

The key is understanding what an extension actually does and what it doesn't do.

Learn more in our latest article, brought to you by Block Advisors by H&R Block.

Lear what tax extensions are, what they aren't and how to use them effectively for your business.

08/31/2026

Join SCORE Mentors this TUESDAY at 1 PM for their 'Hiring Employees, Contractors or Family – Avoid Costly Tax and Payroll Mistakes' webinar! 💼

Learn the key differences between employees and independent contractors, understand worker classification requirements, and MORE!

Join here ➡️: https://f.mtr.cool/i7rwhzrlw9

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