SCORE – A Powerful Ally for Entrepreneurs
This blog is sponsored by SCORE, a proud sponsor of the She Leads International Conference in Brainerd on April 25, 2025.
At Growth By Design, we believe that no entrepreneur builds alone. Whether you're launching your first venture or pushing through the growing pains of an early-stage business, the path forward can feel both exhilarating and overwhelming. That’s why we’re highlighting one of the organizations we deeply respect: SCORE.
SCORE is a national nonprofit organization with a long-standing commitment to helping small business owners succeed. Since its founding in 1964, SCORE has been equipping entrepreneurs with free tools, guidance, and mentorship—and they’ve become an invaluable part of the small business support system nationwide.
A Roadmap for Entrepreneurs
Starting a business typically begins with excitement: that spark of an idea, the vision of something new. But not long after, many entrepreneurs encounter confusion and frustration. Questions begin to outnumber answers. The to-do list grows. The stakes feel higher.
Eventually, it comes down to hard work. There’s no shortcut. Success takes time, strategy, and grit—and that’s where SCORE steps in.
Who’s in Your Corner?
No matter where you are on your business journey, it truly takes a village to grow something meaningful. Key players in that village include:
A trusted business team — legal, accounting, insurance, and funding experts
Mentors and advisors — those who have walked the path before
Your network — personal and professional connections
SCORE can be part of your team at every stage. With a network of over 10,000 volunteer business experts nationwide—and more than 200 across Minnesota—SCORE offers personalized, one-on-one mentoring. Many of their volunteers are seasoned entrepreneurs, executives, or professionals who are ready to give back by supporting others.
SCORE’s resources include:
One-on-one mentoring from experienced professionals
Monthly workshops and seminars
Webinars (many free or low-cost)
A robust library of business templates, tools, and how-to articles
Local chapters that understand your community’s business climate
The Impact of SCORE
In a recent letter to Congress, SCORE’s leadership shared just how far their reach extends:
“SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer business experts—10,000 strong—who mentor and educate 300,000+ current and aspiring small business owners each year. For every $1 appropriated to SCORE in FY 2024, its successful mentees (small businesses) returned $45.42 in new federal tax revenue—an unparalleled return on federal investment.”
In FY24 alone, SCORE helped:
Launch 59,447 new small businesses
Create 143,623 new jobs
Deliver 4 million hours of mentoring and training
Ready to Get Started?
If you're curious about how SCORE could help you, start by visiting score.org. When you're ready to connect with a mentor, click the “Find a Mentor” tab and then “How it Works.” After entering your ZIP code and answering a few quick questions about the help you’re looking for, your request will be matched with a local mentor who will reach out to begin the conversation.
It’s easy, it's free, and it could be the start of a powerful business relationship.
We’re grateful to SCORE for sponsoring the 2025 She Leads International Conference in Brainerd and for their continued dedication to lifting up entrepreneurs and small businesses across the country. If you’re navigating a new chapter in your business, they’re an excellent resource to have in your corner.
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