Have you checked out SCORE yet?

**KKoher** · 12-05-2007 09:48 AM

So...I can't tell you much about it, but...I just set up a free business counceling meeting with SCORE. I guess they have chapters all over the place, and they give free business counceling. Which I think is really cool. We've been looking into hiring someone to help us with the direction our business is going in, but have found that it can be very expensive. So, yesterday I found the website for SCORE (it won't let me post the url..but it ends in .org, and starts with Score ...hope that helps.) and then you can find an office near you, and call them to set up a free counseling session. I'm not sure how much they know, or how much they can help. But we're willing to give it a try. I just wanted to let everyone out there know, so if you are looking for some advice, check them out .

**radreality** · 12-05-2007 10:23 AM

every one here pretty much knows about them already. There are mixed feelings about them. Some chapters are willing to help, some are very difficult to have help you. All of my personal experience with them has been a complete waste of time. The stuff they help you with is often extremely general and can be found anywhere for free and/or is outdated information.

They aren't set up to help the masses. It just depends on what level of knowledge you have.

I went out and hired a business consultant and received much better assistance. They usually range from $75 to $125 per hour, which is definitely worth it if you can afford it.

______________________________
Robert Falk
Business Developer / Investor
Self Help Forum | Business Resources

**2gould** · 12-05-2007 12:31 PM

"I went out and hired a business consultant and received much better assistance. They usually range from $75 to $125 per hour, which is definitely worth it if you can afford it."

Wow -

That is pretty reasonable for a consultant's fee. If you don't mind me asking, how did you decide which consultant to go with. I am assuming they posted their qualifications and you chose the one most similar to your business? How did the process work? Thanks

Charley

**BusinessAdviser** · 12-05-2007 01:08 PM

I am a business consultant, and since I have not built up a huge clientele, I charge an even more reasonable rate.

I have several points of advice:

1. You get what you pay for. Free consulting really won't provide you with more than general advice that you can find on your own. However, the most expensive consultants are often much more costly than the benefits that they can provide to most companies.

2. Ask the consultant for several references and actually contact those references to find out what they thought of the consultant - strong points, weak points, actual changes made, whether they would hire the consultant again, etc.

3. Check yourself. Too often business owners hire a consultant because they have a failing business and want to have a professional come in and say, "It's not your fault. It's something else out of your control that is causing this business to fail. Let's fix it." The truth is that most of the time, it IS the owner's fault. If you hire a consultant, be ready to hear that YOU are doing things wrong and that you need to change things that YOU implemented. If you can't do that, you'll be paying for nothing and you'll still fail.

I hope that helps. Contact me if you'd like to speak more or get any more advice.

**rogercbryan** · 12-05-2007 01:42 PM

I went to SCORE in San Diego back in 1999 to get help starting an escort service. I was already into Adult Web Marketing at the time. The two older gentlemen got a kick out of my proposal... but I never heard from them again... just thought I'd share my experience... By the way the escort service was a disaster.. maybe they had their reasons for not calling back...

**KKoher** · 12-05-2007 03:03 PM

Thanks for all the advice. We probably will end up hiring somone, but didn't want to rule out the free help before we even heard what they had to say. We probably are doing things wrong, luckily we're not failing yet, but we're in this business blind. We (my partner and I) opened a retail store in the local mall. I know lots about retail, but don't know much about the business aspect of it. We're looking into angel investors, and franchising and are not sure which is the best route for us (Actually, I know franchising would probably be best, but my business partner is very indecisive and always needs a second opinion). Let us know what you think....

**Cole Taylor** · 12-05-2007 05:50 PM

I've never used SCORE for an established entity; however, I have run several plans by them and found an outside, objective opinion to be useful. I've had SCORE members on my advisory board. I wouldn’t immediately dismiss them without at least talking to someone there first.

With regards to consultants, after grad school I worked for George S. May and International Profit Associates (unfortunately the big 5 only hired from Ivy League schools) before my partner and I started our own firm. This was years ago and I charged $225 an hr. Personally, I'd be leery of the experience a $75 or less consultant brings to the table.

As was mentioned, make sure that whoever you choose to work with will not only tell you what is wrong, but make any necessary changes. I'll be up to you to make sure you follow through after they're gone and not fall back into your old way of doing things.

I'm a big fan of the e-myth; you may want to look into it.

**BusinessAdviser** · 12-05-2007 06:05 PM

First, it would help if you would share some info as to the line of business you're in. Second, ANY free opinion should be happily accepted, like here. However, always question where such advice comes from. There is quite a bit of plain INCORRECT advice being given on this site, but I suppose that holds true with the "you get what you pay for" saying. Take it with a grain of salt, question it, research it yourself, but at the end of the day, a quality business consultant (along with your humility) can be well worth the money.

**radreality** · 12-05-2007 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by 2gould

"I went out and hired a business consultant and received much better assistance. They usually range from $75 to $125 per hour, which is definitely worth it if you can afford it."

Wow -

That is pretty reasonable for a consultant's fee. If you don't mind me asking, how did you decide which consultant to go with. I am assuming they posted their qualifications and you chose the one most similar to your business? How did the process work? Thanks

Charley

The guy that I hired costs $125/hr.; I've just ran into several people who charge as little as $75.

I chose him based on his background and success. He didn't have just the education; he had the formal education and has started several successful companies in my area. He has written a few articles on my self help forum, that anyone can read for free.

______________________________
Robert Falk
Business Developer / Investor
Self Help Forum | Business Resources

**KKoher** · 12-06-2007 12:17 PM

[QUOTE=jmenq2;151873]First, it would help if you would share some info as to the line of business you're in.

We're a teen/young adult clothing and accessory store, with a punk rock theme. We sell t's, hoodies, bags, waches, wallets, patches, hair dye, hats, jewelry, gages...etc. We're kinda inbetween a Pac Sun and a Hot Topic. We're not super goth, or skater. We just have a little bit of everything (that could fall under the punk rock catagory) and we sell alot of band shirts...Just to give you an idea of who we are.