Here are the Answers to Some Basic Questions About SCORE and Business Counseling.
Ten Questions and Answers About the SCORE Association

What is the SCORE Association?
The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association comprised of 11,500 and growing volunteer business counselors throughout the U.S. and its territories. There are about 400 SCORE chapters in urban, suburban and rural communities. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. These services are offered at no fee, as a community service. SCORE was formed in 1964 and nearly 4.5 million Americans have utlized SCORE services.

How can this web site help me?
This site offers practical "how to" information to help you run your business. You can also get free and confidential business advice from SCORE. To find a map of SCORE offices in Northwest Indiana Click Here

How can SCORE help me in a changing economic times?
In times of economic change, you must be diligent in preparing your plans. Begin developing a business plan with realistic sales projections and a plan to hold the line on costs. SCORE can provide advice to help you develop or update your plan. Our counselors can also assist in analyzing your current results. Clients tell us some of the best ideas for their business flowed from discussion with a SCORE counselor. To regiser for a free business counseling session Click Here .

Can I contact SCORE via email?
Have a question about starting or operating a business. Pose a business question to one of the SCORE business counselors.
Click Here to E-mail directly to the SCORE offices in Northwest Indana

What is email counseling?
Email counseling is an E-mail exchange between you, a soon-to-be entrepreneur or small business owner and a SCORE business counselor. Just get Email Counseling to get business advice. Send a questions and your SCORE counselor will reply with his or her answer. Keep the dialog going as long as you have questions for your business counselor

What qualifies SCORE to give business advice?
The key qualification SCORE counselors bring to clients is real-world experience. SCORE business counselors have general management and specific industry experience that can benefit your business. SCORE business counselors may be working or retired business owners, business executives or operations managers. All SCORE counselors receive specialized training in counseling and mentoring.

What kind of counseling does SCORE provide?
SCORE's experienced business experts provide general business advice on everything from how to write a business plan, to cash flow management, to developing a small business advisory board. Assistance for aspiring entrepreneurs may involve investigating the market potential for a product or service and assessing the capital needs to start a business. Counselors can provide insight into how to start a business, operate a business, buy a business or franchise and sell a business.

Are business secrets safe with SCORE?
Yes. All SCORE business counselors honor the client's right to proprietary and confidential information. Client information remains confidential. All SCORE counselors abide by an association Code Of Ethics, which includes protecting the confidences between client and counselor. Each year, counselors reaffirm their commitment to the Code Of Ethics.

Does SCORE offer other services?
Yes. SCORE offers workshops and seminars. Workshop topics have included: Developing Your Business Plan, Starting and Operating Your Own Business, Getting Financing For Your Business, and Basic Business Accounting. We also offer several workshops that examine marketing.
Click Here for six free virtual workshops.

How can I contact SCORE for assistance?
You can contact SCORE a number of ways. You can make an appointment for face-to-face counseling or Email counseling right now through this SCORE Web Site. Click Here to register for a free business counseling session.