SCORE Indianapolis Helps Build the Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The Service Corps of Retired Executives or SCORE, a nonprofit initiative funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs in its 60 years of operation. SCORE has over 10,000 volunteers providing free, expert mentoring, resources, and education all over the country.
“Small businesses are the driving force of our economy, creating jobs and allowing entrepreneurs to fulfill their dreams,” said Bridget Weston, SCORE CEO, in a press release. “We join the rest of the nation in celebrating small business owners, the heart of every community, and take pride in partnering with them on their road to success.”
SCORE’s local chapter in Indianapolis has supported the launch and growth of nearly 200 Indiana businesses, some of which are now members of Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance.
“The local SCORE chapter mentored me when I started Indy Staffing, and I still consult them," said John Thawnghmung, founder and president of Indy Staffing.
A connection to SCORE Indianapolis is one of the resources Aspire provides freely to members, and one such member who took advantage is local esthetician service Aphrodite Esthetics LLC.
“I used a few of SCORE’s webinars to learn more about running a small business efficiently,” said Amanda Sautel, licensed esthetician, and owner of Aphrodite Esthetics in Greenwood.
SCORE’s volunteer mentors are experts in various areas of business planning and development with backgrounds in many different industries.
“I am able to bounce ideas off of my mentors which is something I don’t usually get to do because I work solo,” said Sautel. “If I’m having problems or if I am coming up with new ideas, that resource is really great.”
SCORE helped to connect Sautel to services that could help her with running and organizing her business. “I’ve hired a bookkeeper at the advice of one of my mentors which has helped me stay very organized,” she said.
Sautel recommends that other businesses utilize SCORE’s free resources. “It’s free, you can’t lose even if you don’t end up using some of their services.”
SCORE has impacted Aphrodite Esthetics by giving Sautel the confidence and assurance of a supportive network of people who are interested in her business’s success and growth.
“I know where I’m at a lot better,” said Sautel. “It has really helped to know that I have got people who I can call on when I have questions or issues.”
Aspire continues to connect SCORE’s generous resources and services to as many members of the local business community as possible.
“They are executives who have been successful and want to see other businesses thrive,” said Lisa Stokes, Investor Development Executive at Aspire. “They are there to help guide them to business growth.”
As southern Indy and Johnson County’s local economic development organization and chamber of commerce, developing the small business ecosystem is a major part of Aspire’s work.
Aspire shares free sources of business how-to information, templates and guides, including business plans, financing, marketing, strategic planning, and links to resources like SCORE at Aspirejohnsoncounty.com/small-business-resources.