SCORE Mentors

10/02/2026

Manufacturing takes more than engineering. It takes vision, problem-solving, and the business know-how to turn an idea into a thriving company. 🏭

For National Manufacturing Day, meet Brad, founder of AMS Galaxy USA, a manufacturer of precision dairy equipment helping farmers reclaim something invaluable: time with their families.

Growing up on a dairy farm, Brad saw firsthand how demanding the work could be. He wanted to help other farmers change that story through robotic milking technology. But when it came to running a business, he quickly realized that engineering expertise was only part of the equation.

That’s where SCORE came in. Through mentorship, Brad gained guidance in sales, marketing, accounting, finance, and strategy, the essential business skills that help manufacturers grow beyond the production floor.

“We wouldn't be where we are without SCORE,” Brad shared.

This National Manufacturing Day, we're celebrating the manufacturers who turn innovation into impact, and the mentors who help them build stronger businesses.

10/01/2026

New month, new opportunities to grow your business! 💡

Our October webinar lineup covers practical topics to help you work smarter, make informed financial decisions, and plan for what’s next.

👉 Swipe through to see what’s coming up, choose the sessions that interest you, and register for free!

We look forward to learning with you this month. 💙

10/01/2026

09/30/2026

09/29/2026

Real end-of-year SMB planning = no fluff.

What’s one unwritten rule you have for holiday prep? Drop it below 👇

09/28/2026

Pin it to the SCOREboard 📌

What's one skill Future You will thank you for learning?

We'll use the comment section as a sounding board to offer resources and support.

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Have something YOU want to ask other entrepreneurs? DM us to submit your prompts. 📩

09/24/2026

“Starting Mothership Coffee Roasters was personal for me.”

For Juanny Romero, coffee became a vehicle for creating the kind of connection and community she wished she had growing up. A child of immigrants from the rough side of Queens, she built Mothership Coffee Roasters around a simple mission: create meaningful connections through great coffee.

Fifteen years later, that mission has grown into six cafes, regional retail partnerships, and coffee sourced from women-owned farming cooperatives.

Along the way, SCORE has been part of Juanny’s journey, providing mentorship, encouragement, and the perspective she needed to grow from a passionate entrepreneur into the CEO of a multi-chain, multi-vertical business.

But for Juanny, success isn't just about how much the business has grown. It's about what that growth makes possible: supporting women coffee producers, investing in her community, and creating spaces where people can connect.

Her advice to other entrepreneurs? Embrace mentorship. The right guidance can help you break through limiting beliefs and see what's possible.

09/24/2026

Join SCORE Mentors on September 29 at 1 PM for their 'Beyond the Barcode: Manage Inventory, Navigate Retail Channels and Prepare to Scale' webinar! 🛍️

Discover how barcodes can support inventory management, prepare your business for wholesale distribution, and MORE!

Register here ➡️: https://f.mtr.cool/hpli68wfej

09/23/2026

Paul Hennesey and Chris Sanders enjoyed attending the Contra Costa Economic Development Taking your business to the next level fair.

Great opportunity to network with many West County City Economiic Development offices as well as other Small busienss resources partners like About 120 people there inlcuing many many small businesses looking for resources

Glad SCORE is a part of the ecosystem and helping West County Businesses grow.

09/16/2026

Excited for our chapter to be attending the Marin Sr Fair today. Some of our current mentors were there looking to share what SCORE does and for new volunteers interesting in sharing their past business experience with new and growing small businesses.

Thanks to Susan Lundy, Mike Miottel, Michael Morgan and Mark Ely for your time.

Contact us if you would like to know more.

06/26/2026

Really enjoyed the SF Expo show yesterday. Lots of community partners there and many great discussions with small businesses.

Look forward to following up the many inquiries from the day and attending next year.

Thanks to our 5 volunteers who showed up to help man the booth with me

Wade Luckhardt
Len Marsh
Charlene Childers Coleman
Kathleen Gilligan
Gary Ware

Fun day

06/01/2026

💡 Did You Know? 💡

SCORE mentors help refine marketing strategies, from social media to SEO, sharing real‑world insights that help small businesses attract and retain customers. Whether you’re building your brand or boosting engagement, mentors can guide you toward smarter, results‑driven marketing.

📍 Explore mentoring resources near you
🤝 Get matched with a mentor
🚀 Start growing your business with expert support

Connect with a SCORE mentor today: https://www.score.org/ca/san-francisco-east-bay/

05/31/2026

Big wins in Oakland! ✨

We are incredibly thrilled to celebrate the Grand Opening of Wild One Boutique in Northlake Oakland! Founded by local artist and creative Claudia Atkinson (), this intentionally curated gift and art shop is a vibrant new hub spotlighting independent Bay Area artists, small brands, and hands-on creative workshops. 🎨🛍️

Building a retail space from the ground up has a lot of moving pieces, and SCORE San Francisco East Bay was honored to walk alongside Claudia on her journey. Working with SCORE mentors Michael Miottel and Neil Rubenstein, Claudia tackled everything from financial forecasting and marketing strategies to navigating complex legal agreements.

"Having experienced mentors to lean on has made me feel more supported as I build a space that highlights independent artists and small brands. SCORE’s guidance has played an important role in helping me grow Wild One Boutique with greater intention and direction." — Claudia Atkinson, Founder

Featured is the grand opening celebration, featuring Claudia and her mentor Michael Miottel! 🎈

Drop by to support local makers and find your next unique gift:

📍 100 Grand Ave, Unit 110, Oakland, CA

🕒 Thursday - Sunday, 11 AM – 6 PM

Dreaming of launching your own brick-and-mortar or small business? Let’s make it happen! Click the link here to connect with a free SCORE mentor today: https://www.score.org/ca/san-francisco-east-bay/

05/29/2026

💻 Ready to simplify your bookkeeping? 💻

Join us for QuickBooks Online Basics You Need to Know, a hands‑on online workshop designed to help small business owners confidently manage their finances. Learn how to record daily transactions, handle customer and supplier payments, navigate banking and reports, and avoid common mistakes—all with expert guidance from SCORE Mentor Christina Dantico Schanz.

📅 Monday, June 1, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM PDT
💻 Online Workshop (Register in the caption!)

REGISTER TODAY: https://www.score.org/wa/greater-seattle/business-education/quickbooks-online-basics-you-need-to-know-6-1-26/

05/28/2026

💥 MYTH BUSTED: Posting alone isn’t enough to grow your business.

💡 FACT: Tracking your marketing metrics shows what’s working, what’s not, and where to invest your time and budget for real results.

SCORE mentors can help you build a smarter marketing strategy backed by data. 📊

Connect with a SCORE mentor today: https://www.score.org/ca/san-francisco-east-bay/

05/27/2026

💸 Ready to unlock funding for your small business? 💸

Join us for How Small Businesses Win Grants: A Step‑by‑Step Guide, a regional workshop that demystifies the grant process for entrepreneurs. Learn what funders look for, where to find legitimate opportunities, and how to align your business with a grantor’s goals to strengthen your application. You’ll leave with a clear roadmap and an 11‑point checklist to assess your grant‑readiness and take confident next steps toward winning funding.

📅 Friday, May 29, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM PDT
💻 Online Workshop (Register in the caption!)

REGISTER TODAY: https://www.score.org/wa/greater-seattle/business-education/how-small-businesses-win-grants-a-step-by-step-guide-5-29-2026/

05/26/2026

💰 Ready to master your business finances? 💰

Join us for Financial Basics for New Small Businesses, an online workshop designed to help entrepreneurs build a strong financial foundation. Learn how to project sales, understand costs, plan cash flow, and create accurate financial statements—all essential skills for managing and growing your business. Led by SCORE mentor Suzanne Rouaix, this interactive session makes financial planning simple and actionable.

📅 Thursday, May 28, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM PDT
💻 Online Workshop (Register in the caption!)

REGISTER TODAY: https://www.score.org/wa/greater-seattle/business-education/financial-basics-new-small-businesses-52826/

05/26/2026

🎯 Ready to pinpoint your perfect audience? 🎯

SCORE’s free Target Market Comparison Worksheet helps you evaluate and compare potential customer groups side‑by‑side. Discover which market offers the strongest opportunity for your business by analyzing key factors like customer need, profitability, competition, and sales channels. Use it to:

✅ Evaluate different customer groups using consistent criteria that highlight strengths and weaknesses
✅ Identify your highest‑potential market based on need, profitability, and competitive landscape
✅ Make confident, data‑driven decisions about where to focus your marketing and sales efforts

✨ Download the free worksheet and find your best‑fit market: https://www.score.org/templates/target-market-comparison-worksheet/

💬 Want help refining your marketing strategy? Connect with a SCORE mentor for free, personalized guidance: https://www.score.org/sanfrancisco/local-mentors