SCORE Mentors

05/10/2026

Introducing the SCOREboard:

Our very own virtual bulletin board built for THIS community.

Each week, we’ll post a prompt where you can share wins, ask questions, swap insights, and support fellow entrepreneurs along the way.

Think of it as your space to show up, speak up, and connect.

New week, new prompt 👇

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Pin it to the SCOREboard 📌

In honor of Mother's Day, what advice do you have for MOMpreneurs?

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. 📩

05/09/2026

“He shows us that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

For Mark and Shannon Debner, building their business was never easy — but in 2008, everything changed overnight.

Just months after acquiring another company and moving into a new facility, a devastating flood destroyed the future they had carefully planned. Then came the economic collapse. Between June 2008 and January 2009, DPI moved three times while fighting to keep the business alive.

But quitting was never part of the plan.

Through determination, long hours, and an unwavering commitment to their team and customers, the owners of DPI Quality Custom Finishes rebuilt piece by piece. Along the way, SCORE mentor Scott Loggins became a steady source of guidance and support during one of the hardest seasons of their lives.

“He has experienced what we’ve been through, and he came out on the other side,” Mark shared. “He shows us that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

With SCORE’s help developing a new business plan and navigating constant change, Mark and Shannon turned disaster into resilience — proving that sometimes success is not about avoiding the storm, but finding the strength to rebuild after it.

05/08/2026

Something special happened in the Learning Lab this week 🧪

Ideas → action
Connections → opportunities
Entrepreneurs → growth

Two days. Ten webinars. 5,000+ registrants.

Same time next year? 👀

05/07/2026

In light of NSBW, we're excited to announce that we're teaming up with to bring you a series of AI webinars this year.

Join us to learn about how Google AI can help your business and get more details about the free Google AI Professional Certificate for U.S. small businesses.

Build AI fluency with hands-on training from Google experts. Master tools like Gemini & NotebookLM through 20+ activities designed to help you work smarter.

05/07/2026

: Finding Grants and Sponsorships: Locate Opportunities, Apply Confidently, Stand Out to Funders

Cheryl Smith is closing out our National Small Business Week Learning Lab with some words of encouragement!

05/07/2026

Thank you for a wonderful called, “How to Turn Your Side Hustle Into a Full-Time Business. this has been an amazing two-day experience.

05/07/2026

: How to Turn Your Side Hustle Into a Full-Time Business

Ramon Ray delivering hot takes on transitioning into an entrepreneur! Are you tuning in?

05/07/2026

: AI in 2026: What’s Changing and What It Means for Small Business

SCORE mentors Matthew and Charlie are discussing where AI fits in the small business workflow!

11/04/2025

“Being an entrepreneur can sometimes be a super lonely place.”

Today, Baking Coach is a thriving business offering baking and cake decorating classes and innovative baking kits, but that wasn’t always the case. When owner Lisa Basini felt alone in her entrepreneurial pursuit, she turned to SCORE.

“I have had several SCORE mentors depending upon what exactly I am looking to do with my organization. Their encouragement and expert advice has been essential in the success and growth of my business.”

Today, that success looks like this:

- Winning a SCORE pitch competition
- Scaling her operations
- Expanding her product line
- Growing her workforce

AND... celebrating 20 YEARS in business!

Join us in congratulating Lisa and her team on reaching this incredible milestone. 🥳

11/03/2025

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

10/30/2025

👻 Last minute costume has hit the shelves!!!

This Halloween, the SCORE Mentor Costume comes fully equipped with decades of experience, a passion for helping entrepreneurs, and plenty of success stories to share.

🎃 Costume: $54.99 | Mentorship: FREE

10/28/2025

“Go immediately.” That’s Anu CEO Scott Massey’s advice to anyone thinking of working with SCORE.

Anu empowers individuals and communities to grow fresh, nutritious produce at home. They do this through a unique product—a smart garden system that allows consumers to grow their favorite vegetables easily and sustainably, similar to the convenience of a Keurig machine.

“What really makes my SCORE mentor great is that he has a wealth of specific industry experience working with ink cartridges relating to printers. In our business model — providing a seed pod consumable to captive growing systems — there are numerous similarities. That provided a wealth of experience in articulating that business case to investment audiences.”

Learn more about Scott’s innovative business model and how SCORE helped.

10/27/2025

📚 Low-cost business learning opportunities await!

Join a SCORE Northwest Connecticut webinar or workshop this week and 🚀

10/23/2025

✨Full Circle Moment ✨

"When I launched my business 13 years ago, SCORE was a game-changer—helping me learn how to build, scale, and run a business.

So it was an incredible honor to deliver the opening keynote at [my local] SCORE Mentors Accelerate Your Business Conference.

We explored how to build the resilience needed to navigate tough times, change, and uncertainty.

I left inspired by the passion, grit, and brilliance of the women in that room.

Thank you, SCORE, for the work you do to support entrepreneurs—and for giving me the chance to give back to a community that supported me from the start."

- Darcy Luoma, CEO of Darcy Luoma Coaching & Consulting

10/23/2025

FINAL CALL! "Sell Like A Pro" registration closes soon! 🚨

This is your last chance to learn sales strategies that actually work from someone who's built multiple successful businesses!

I don't want you to miss out on this opportunity to completely transform how you approach selling. Antwaine Debnam's methods aren't about being pushy or manipulative - they're about building real relationships and helping customers make good decisions.

Whether you:

Sell products online or at markets
Run a service business in your community
Want to grow your existing customer base
Just want to feel more confident in sales situations

These strategies will work for you because they're based on genuine human connection, not gimmicky sales tricks.

What makes this different:
~ Real-world experience from successful entrepreneurial ventures
~ Focus on building trust and authentic relationships
~ Practical strategies you can use immediately
~ Mental tools to stay motivated and confident

It's free, includes dinner, and happens right here in Norfolk at The Norfolk Hub!
October 29th, 5:30-8:30 PM

Register RIGHT NOW: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-business-seminar-sell-like-a-pro-tickets-1645072047779

Questions: [email protected] | Startup help: www.calendly.com/nwcc

Thank you Eversource CT and NBT Bank ! Also Norfolk Hub CT , SCORE Mentors , and Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce !

10/21/2025

"Working with David [my SCORE mentor] has shown me I have the ability to rewrite my whole life, not just a business plan, but my whole future...I'm living the dreams I used to pray about, back in the day when I was on the street."

Homeless, substance dependent and eventually incarcerated-- John Peyton Schmidt used entrepreneurship to turn his life around.

During his incarceration, Schmidt embarked on an academic journey and through that process came up with the idea of launching his own business. Schmidt was introduced to community resources that could help by Arkansas Rehab Services. Communities Unlimited and SCORE mentor David Brunton partnered to devise a plan for Schmidt to obtain a Small Business Administration loan from CU’s Lending Team to develop his business, Wholly Schmidt.

Today, Wholly Schmidt is a mobile food concession stand focused on providing people with high-quality meals and a safe and sober atmosphere at large events. The meals are organic and locally sourced reflecting Schmidt’s passion for fresh produce and meats. Not only does he grow vegetables himself, but he is also able to share seeds with local farmers to help cultivate his community's local produce-- a long-held aspiration of his.

"My story is one of addiction and recovery, rekindling dreams I had set to the side. Today I stand a proud father and business owner. I was only able to get to this point through dedication, hard work, taking suggestions and doing what I could to change my life. In taking those steps, I found SCORE."

10/16/2025

✨ Celebrating Women’s Small Business Month! ✨

If you’re a woman entrepreneur (or want to support one), this is for you!

SCORE’s Women Entrepreneurs Resource Hub is full of inspiration, guidance, and actionable support to help women-owned businesses thrive.

🔍 What you’ll find there:

- Mentoring and networking opportunities
- Business planning templates & guides
- Stories from successful women business owners
- Tips on funding, growth, and leadership

Let’s shine a spotlight on women leaders building tomorrow’s businesses in our community! 💼💡

Link in the comments to check it out and share with someone who could use the boost!

10/14/2025

“Why duplicate mediocrity when you can borrow genius?”

This is Nap Bar Founder Khaliah Guillory’s motto, and she shares that working with a SCORE mentor is doing just that: borrowing genius.

“With decades of experience under his belt, [my mentor] has been an incredible resource - not just for advice, but for opening up new perspectives on scaling Nap Bar. He’s the kind of mentor who knows how to balance big-picture strategy with practical, actionable steps.”

Nap Bar is an eco-luxury rest sanctuary where fatigued travelers and professionals immerse themselves in sustainable custom suites and captivating VR experiences.

Learn more about Khaliah’s innovative business model and how SCORE helped.

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!