SCORE Orange County

10/16/2026

What happens when you stop talking about AI and start putting it to work for your business?
Meet Gabby with BHH Respite Care Services! She recently participated in a hands-on workshop presented by SCORE Orange County and Community Innovations Foundation (CIF), and she's sharing her experience.
Finding new customers is one of the biggest challenges for small-business owners. But what if AI could help you identify potential customers, organize leads, and develop a plan to reach them?
That's exactly what we'll explore in our upcoming hands-on workshop:
Prospecting and Lead Generation Made Easier
Friday, October 30, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
In-person workshop
💲 Just $20
Bring your laptop and work alongside SCORE OC and CIF volunteers to build a customized AI-powered prospecting tool for your business.
You'll learn how to:
✅ Identify potential customers who are a good fit for your business.
✅ Create a targeted lead list with useful contact information.
✅ Develop a practical outreach plan.
✅ Build reusable AI prompts to find new prospects whenever you need them.
And the best part? You'll work on your own business during the session, with guidance and support along the way.
Less theory. More doing. Practical AI tools you can use again and again.
Ready to put AI to work for your business? Register today!
https://www.score.org/ca/orange-county-hawaii/business-education/prospecting-and-lead-generation-made-easier/

Video created with AI assistance and Gabby's permission. Her words and voice are authentic.

10/15/2026

“Working with OD Greens makes me feel like me again.”

For some veterans, the transition to civilian life brings challenges that are difficult to put into words. For Don Tobul, creating a space where veterans could find purpose, connection, and peace became a mission close to his heart.

An Army veteran himself, Don combined his experiences in the military with his backgrounds in agriculture and mental health counseling to create OD Greens. Through hydroponic farming, the organization provides veterans with workplace training and a supportive environment that promotes mental well-being.

But turning that vision into a sustainable business was a challenge of its own. Don had no business background and felt overwhelmed by everything involved in getting started.

SCORE mentors helped him identify priorities, navigate obstacles, and break his vision into manageable phases. Their guidance gave him the structure and confidence to turn his idea into reality.

Today, OD Greens offers more than an opportunity to grow food. It creates space for veterans to develop skills, connect with others who understand their experiences, and rediscover a sense of purpose.

For Don, building this business was about bringing together everything he had learned throughout his life to serve a community that had given so much.

Sometimes, the most meaningful businesses grow from a desire to help others find their way forward.

10/15/2026

⚡ What if AI could run your routine business workflows without making costly mistakes? 🧠

Join SCORE this Wednesday, October 21 at 2:30 PM CT for a hands-on masterclass: ""Using Claude to Build AI Agents That Do Real Work.""

In this interactive 2-hour session, you'll roll up your sleeves and learn how to:
⚙️ Map and redesign manual workflows for autonomous AI ex*****on
🛠️ Build customized AI agents using Claude step-by-step
🛡️ Implement bulletproof verification, error-checking, and human approval gates
🔄 Connect repetitive tasks into seamless automated operational pipelines

🎟️ Investment: $10.00 | Interactive, live, and built for modern business owners.

👇 Ready to put real AI to work for your company? Grab your seat in the first comment! 👇

In this workshop attendees learn how to redesign their own business processes and then build an AI agent that runs it, with the error-checking and approval steps a real business needs.(Duration 2 hours)

10/14/2026

📊 Overwhelmed by marketing clutter? 🛑 Stop guessing and start growing with a plan that actually works. 🎯

Join SCORE this Tuesday, October 20 at 12:00 PM CT for a dynamic, high-impact seminar: ""How to Build a Simplified, Sensible Marketing Plan.""

In just 90 minutes, you'll discover how to:
🎯 Craft a concise, 1-page roadmap tailored to your specific business
💡 Target your ideal audience without wasting ad spend
📈 Set realistic, measurable milestones to track your progress
⏱️ Streamline campaigns so you spend less time marketing and more time closing sales

🎟️ Registration: Only $10.00! Practical, interactive, and built for busy business owners.

👇 Ready to build a marketing plan that converts? Check the first comment for the registration link! 👇

Learn how to create your own, short marketing plan. This seminar will provide you step-by-step guidance for building an effective, concise, and actionable marketing plan. (Duration 1.5hr)

10/13/2026

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!

10/13/2026

Struggling to get found online by local customers? 🌐 In today’s market, having a strong digital footprint isn't optional; it's essential! 🚀

Join SCORE this Friday, October 16 at 11:30 AM CT for a live, step-by-step webinar: Developing Your Online Presence!

In this comprehensive session, you’ll learn:
📱 The core building blocks of a professional online marketing presence
🔍 How to optimize your website and local search visibility
📣 Choosing the right social channels to connect with your target buyers
🎯 Simple content habits that turn online visitors into loyal clients

🗓️ Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
⏰ Time: 11:30 AM CT
🎟️ Investment: $10.00

Stop staying invisible and start driving steady traffic to your business. ✨

👇 Ready to build your digital presence? Check the first comment to grab your seat! 👇

In this **FREE Webinar** Gain a high overview of the knowledge and tools needed to start, manage, and grow a successful small business.

10/12/2026

📚 Low-cost business learning opportunities await!

Join a SCORE Orange County webinar or workshop this week and 🚀

10/12/2026

TOUGH DECISION. WHO’S IN YOUR CORNER?
Some business decisions are too important to make in a vacuum.

Hiring or letting go of a key employee.
Taking a growth opportunity that also carries real risk.
Managing cash flow.

Making a decision that could affect your employees, customers, and the future of your company.

For CEOs and business owners, there isn’t always an obvious person to talk these decisions through with. The SCORE Orange County CEO Forum brings experienced business owners together in a confidential peer group where members can discuss real leadership challenges, pressure-test their thinking, and learn from people who have faced similar business decisions.

No sales pitches.
No competitors.

Just candid conversations with other business leaders who understand what it takes to run and grow a company.

Curious about the CEO Forum?

Join us for an informal luncheon on November 20 to meet Forum members, learn how the group works, and see whether this kind of CEO peer group could be valuable to you and your business.

Attendance is by invitation.
Request a luncheon invitation and learn more about the SCORE Orange County CEO Forum https://www.score.org/ca/orange-county-hawaii/ceo-forum/

10/09/2026

Think your small business is too small to be a target for cyberattacks? 🛡️ Think again. 🛑 Cyber threats target small businesses every single day.

Join SCORE on Thursday, October 15 at 2:00 PM CT for an essential live workshop: Strategic Cybersecurity Practices!

In this 1.5-hour session, you will learn:
🔒 Strategic cybersecurity governance to protect daily operations
🛡️ How to assess organizational risk and integrate cyber insurance
💻 Practical protocols to safeguard customer data and financial accounts
📈 Concrete steps to achieve practical cybersecurity maturity

📅 Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM CT (1.5 Hours)
🎟️ Investment: $10.00

Don't wait for a data breach to take action. Safeguard your business assets today. 🔐

👇 Ready to protect your business? Click the link in the first comment to save your seat! 👇

Learn about strategic cybersecurity governance of your business' operations, integrating risk, cybersecurity insurance and working toward a goal of cybersecurity maturity within your organization. (Duration 1.5 hours)

10/08/2026

Motherhood changed Madhu’s life. It also sparked the idea that would change her career.

After earning her master’s degree in electrical engineering and working in the semiconductor industry, Madhu found herself searching for a diaper bag that balanced two things: the practicality she needed as a mom and the style she wanted. When she couldn’t find it, she decided to create it herself.

That idea became Pretty Pokets, a line of stylish, practical bags designed to make life easier for women on the go.

But turning a great product idea into a growing business takes more than creativity. Madhu needed guidance on everything from e-commerce and supply chains to protecting her ideas.

She found that support through SCORE. Since her first counseling session in 2016, Madhu has met with mentors more than 50 times, tapping into their expertise as she grows her business. SCORE mentors have helped her navigate challenges, explore new opportunities, and keep moving forward.

Today, Pretty Pokets has built a loyal customer base, expanded into boutique retail, and successfully repaid its first Kiva crowdfunding loan. Now, Madhu is raising funds again to grow her product line.

She didn't just create the bag she couldn't find. She built a business around making everyday life a little easier for women like her.

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