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.