SCORE Mentors

10/22/2026

🚨 Small business owners, it's time to get holiday-ready!

Small Business Saturday is your chance to get in front of new customers, bring in more sales and set your business up for a strong holiday season. But don't leave your plan to the last minute.

Swipe through for 8 ways to make the most of it, then check out SCORE's Holiday Success Hub [link in comments] for more tips, tools and resources. 🎁

Save this post for your holiday prep checklist! 📌

10/21/2026

When Banks Say NO, Your Business Dreams Don't Have to Stop!

Have you been turned down for a traditional business loan? Don't get discouraged! There are other financing options that could help you start, grow, or expand your small business.

Join SCORE Mentors for a FREE webinar and discover alternative funding opportunities that may be the right fit for your business!

📅 Thur, October 22, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM PDT
💻 Online Webinar

What You'll Learn:
✅ Explore funding options beyond traditional bank loans
✅ Learn about SBA loans, grants, and microlending programs
✅ Compare financing costs, qualifications, and requirements
✅ Understand the advantages and challenges of different funding sources
✅ Discover how to choose financing that supports your business goals

Whether you're launching a new business, looking to expand, or searching for additional capital, this webinar can help you make more informed funding decisions.

Ready to explore your funding options? Visit www.score.org/business-education to find the webinar and register!

Know a small business owner who could benefit from this information? Tag them in the comments or share this post!

10/20/2026

The bank just said NO. What do you do? 👀

Plot twist: THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET FUNDED! 💰

…and Boyd Karren of Otro Financial is breaking down your options on Thursday!

Comment “FUNDING” and we’ll send you the link to register.

10/19/2026

Sometimes, the biggest business win is realizing how far you've come.

When SCORE client Dave started his business 16 years ago, he was working out of his backyard garage with no college degree and no business experience. Today, he's built a profitable automotive business, paid off $167,000 in debt, and secured the financing he needs to grow his three companies.

But the biggest change isn't just in the numbers. It's in how Dave sees himself and what he's accomplished.

After a decade of working with SCORE mentors and learning to understand the financial side of business, Dave presented his growth strategy to four banks. All four made offers.

Reflecting on the milestone, he shared:

“I'm finally making that transition from the ‘I should be here, I should be doing this’ syndrome to the ‘look what I've done, look what I've got, and look where I'm going’ syndrome.”

Mentorship can help entrepreneurs build stronger businesses, make more informed decisions, and recognize the progress they've made along the way.

Sometimes, it's time to stop focusing on how far you have to go and celebrate how far you've already come.

Way to GROW, Dave!

10/16/2026

Sometimes the best financial decision you can make is getting another perspective. 💙

Meet Zoila Sanguinetti, a SCORE mentor with financial planning experience who helps entrepreneurs work through the numbers, think through their options and make informed decisions for their businesses.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you meet with a mentor. That’s what mentoring is for.

This National Financial Planning Month, connect with a SCORE mentor and get guidance for the financial questions behind your business.

📈 Your business. Your goals. Your plan.

10/15/2026

🚨 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: A SCORE CLIENT JUST HIT HSN!

Two years after winning the grand prize in one of SCORE's 60th Anniversary Pitch Competitions, Lisa Basini of Baking Coach, Inc. has taken another exciting step forward: featuring her cookie dough kits on a live HSN broadcast! 🍪📺

Watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JdMD8Fxoc/
Lisa's segment begins at the 4-minute mark!

Baking Coach is on a mission to create meaningful employment opportunities for the differently-abled, and we're thrilled to celebrate Lisa and her team's growing success.

From the pitch competition stage to the national stage, we're cheering you on, Lisa! 🎉

10/15/2026

Join us for community lunch from 12:00-1:00 this Friday, 10/16 for a special conversation with our dear friend David Broner.

David—a longtime small business owner and current volunteer mentor with SCORE Mentors—recently wrote and published his ethical will. That's a document in the Jewish tradition that gives the writer the opportunity to tell their story and pass on life lessons to future generations.

Many of us in the Green Garage have been impressed and inspired by David's work on his ethical will. Join us on Friday to hear more about the tradition, the process, and David's life story.

12:00-1:00 at the Green Garage, 4444 2nd Ave. Fee and open to all, lunch courtesy of Seasons Market & Cafe.

📸 Photo of David courtesy of GG alum Brendan Ross, Photographer.

10/14/2026

Getting ready to launch a product?

Your barcode does more than speed up checkout. It helps retailers and online marketplaces identify your products, manage inventory and connect your brand to the products you sell.

Learn how to choose the right product identifiers and set your business up for a successful launch in our latest article, brought to you by GS1 US.

Learn why barcodes matter and how you can set them up to ensure launch success.

10/13/2025

Learning never stops when you’re building your dream! 🌟

Join SCORE mentors and small business experts for low-cost webinars and local events designed to help entrepreneurs like you succeed.

10/09/2025

“Finally got to meet my advisor in person. This free program has been a game-changer. I can’t recommend it enough for fellow entrepreneurs.” - SCORE Client Maggie Benson

We ❤️ hearing feedback like this! At SCORE, our mentors are here to guide you every step of the way—whether it’s your first meeting or your 50th.

Best part? It’s completely free.

Ready to level up your business? 🔗 Link in comments to connect with a SCORE mentor today!

10/07/2025

“It’s not about finding yourself. It’s about shedding what is holding you back.”

Fermented Felon Founder Tony Horner was no stranger to the word no.

- Denied employment from a call center for his criminal history.
- Denied an SBA loan from a bank because of his criminal history.
- Denied admission to professional investment classes because of his criminal history.
- Denied access to trade school because of his criminal history.
- Denied admission to college programs because of his criminal history.

From incarceration to innovation, kombucha was Tony’s big YES.

Fermented Felon combines the restorative powers of kombucha with Tony’s belief in fresh starts. Consumers can sip on handcrafted flavors like Profound Peach and Raspberry Respect while supporting their mission to uplift lives impacted by the justice system.

Tony may have developed a winning kombucha recipe but when he needed business support, he turned to SCORE.

“My SCORE mentor was phenomenal. He had the formula for success.”

10/06/2025

💡 Ready to take your business to the next level? SCORE offers free live webinars and local workshops to help you start, grow, and thrive.

10/03/2025

Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level? 🚀

SCORE mentoring connects you with experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping you succeed. From marketing and finance to planning and growth, our mentors provide the guidance, resources, and support you need to navigate every stage of your business journey.

Don’t go it alone—discover how SCORE can help turn your vision into reality.

👉 Learn more: https://www.score.org/find-mentor/how-it-works

10/01/2025

Meet Robert W. Thompson, a valued SCORE Akron Mentor! With 46 years of experience in general management, sales marketing, and planning across large, medium, and small companies, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. We’re proud to have him guide and inspire local entrepreneurs.

09/29/2025

📌 Hurry, Akron entrepreneurs! Register now for our webinar!
Are you posting on Instagram but not seeing results?

In this webinar, Instagram expert Sue B. Zimmerman will show you how to build and grow an engaged Instagram community.

Get Clients on Instagram - How to Build a Community That Buys
Date & Time: September 30, 2025, 1:00pm EDT
Live event (online)
Cost: $0.00
Duration: 1 Hour
Language: English
Register now ↓

Learn how to use Instagram comments, posts, and DMs to connect with clients, earn their trust, and turn conversations into sales.

09/29/2025

🧭 Need a Business Compass? Let SCORE Point You in the Right Direction! 🧭

Every business journey has twists, turns, and unexpected detours. Whether you’re just starting out or navigating growth, SCORE Akron is here to be your trusted compass!

📍 Lost on where to start? We’ll guide you with expert mentorship.
📍 Need direction on marketing or finances? Our workshops & webinars provide the roadmap.
📍 Looking for tools to stay on course? We offer templates, resources, and proven strategies.

No matter where your business stands, SCORE helps you find your true north! Ready to set your course for success? Let’s navigate together.

📌 Get started today! https://akron.score.org

09/26/2025

💼 Thinking About Becoming a SCORE Mentor? We’ve Got Your Back! 💼

At SCORE Akron, you’ll never walk this path alone. From your very first day, we’ll make sure you have the tools, training, and confidence to guide small business owners toward success.

Our onboarding program is built to support you—featuring hands-on training, practical resources, and step-by-step guidance. Whether you’ve been mentoring for years or you’re brand new, we’ll help you turn your experience into meaningful impact for local entrepreneurs.

Your knowledge can change someone’s business—and their life. Let’s make it happen together.

👉 Start your mentoring journey today: https://www.score.org/volunteer/training-and-onboarding