[Making Millions]

SCORE sucked.

[nordicnomad]

Originally Posted by Wowzerz

Everytime I used them they were strictly discouraging and quite frankly, rude assholes.

Probably saved you a lot of heart break. Don't discount advice just because you don't like it or it hurt your feelings. People in that organization have a lot of experience on the corporate end of things and are used to seeing corporate grade business proposals and finding studies and feasability studies and market research in the millions of dollars.

If they tell you that your idea's just not good and you're in way over your head, ask them what you need to research and where you should start looking. If they tell you your business plan looks like a retartded 4th grader made it in art class, ask them what you should improve. The important thing is to turn a potentially negative, embarassing experience into a learning experience, and you do that by getting specific criticisms and determining for yourself if they are legit or not.

Also, it is the service corps of "retired" executives so you know it's going to be a bunch of resentful and grumpy old people that are only there so they don't die alone. Cut them a little slack and ask them interested questions about the war or something...

[Cameron]

Thanks for the info, looking into it now. I could use some good advice.

[David Rocci]

SCORE has absolutely nothing to do with the SBA.

Originally Posted by nordicnomad

Score can't finance you, but they are part of the SBA which can.

They'll probably be able to help you find sources of financing just through their experience with the process and institutions in your area.

Basically, it never hurt to ask.

[radreality]

Has SCORE changed? All of my experience with them in my area hasn't been very helpful. They were mainly only willing to work with you if you already had a business plan written; they wouldn't help you write it initially.

Its a great organization, but kind of hard to get the help you need from them. A lot of them are retired executives, not entreprenuers.....big difference. None-the-less, it is a good resource to add to your list.

[nordicnomad]

Originally Posted by David Rocci

SCORE has absolutely nothing to do with the SBA.

Yeah, "part of" was a poor choice of words typing in a hurry. Affiliated or having a working relationship is better.

The basic advice remains though, ask them who or what they know that can help you finance your business idea.

[Bestmiler]

Who makes up SCORE? Is it local business leaders?

[Paint and Air Sportz]

Originally Posted by Bestmiler

Who makes up SCORE? Is it local business leaders?

They are all retired business executives, that are rich and have nothing else to do then help future business owners. And i love them for it!

[radreality]

Originally Posted by Paint and Air Sportz

They are all retired business executives, that are rich and have nothing else to do then help future business owners. And i love them for it!

Depends on what your definition of "rich" is. And I'm sure SCORE differs from city to city, its an okay organization, but it doesn't seem like it has a lot of national oversight.

[ikon]

When i called score and the SBA they didnt want to help me with the insurance compnay I wanted to start. So i just read some books and figured it out... Im happy someone got some help from them atleast though.

[rondleet3]

Originally Posted by vek5

I'm not sure about about other Score chapters, but as for the chapter here in Washington DC, they have a wide range of help. They have accounting and finance help. They are usually retired accountants or ex-ceo's of finance related companies. As for if they tell you whether or not you have a good idea. When I went in for my first interview my counselor told me "We are hear to help you, but our job is also to tell people whether or not they should pursue their business." He emphasized planning, Although it is the entreprenuerial spirit to go against the norm and do it your own way, you always need to plan out a business.

I looked on the site and did not see one for the DC area. Did they close down?