SCORE is a nationally recognized volunteer arm of the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Starting and growing a small business can be challenging, but you don’t have to go it alone. Your SCORE mentor will be there to answer questions, connect you with resources and offer guidance throughout the life of your business. SCORE mentors are volunteers, meaning they give their time freely to help business owners like you thrive. They are committed to the success of your business – and because they are all leaders in their fields, SCORE mentors deliver expert advice.
SCORE is composed of entrepreneurs, executives and high level managers, who want to strengthen the economic core of our community by sharing their own business expertise with:
- Individuals who want to start a business or non-profit
- Individuals who want to grow a business or non-profit
- Individuals struggling and need some sound business advice
- Individuals who just have a business question or need to explore an idea
Serving Southwestern Michigan, the Kalamazoo Chapter of SCORE started in 1975 including a branch in Benton Harbor. We have over 30 mentors with over 30 different backgrounds. We provide one-on-one counseling in Kalamazoo, Portage, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, South Haven, Battle Creek, Three Rivers, Sturgis, Albion, Marshall, and Coldwater. These sessions are always at no charge. We also sponsor a series of useful workshops for the benefit of our clients at a modest charge.
Since SCORE was founded in 1964, we have educated more than 11 million established and aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, our 10,000+ expert volunteers provide business mentoring and education in more than 250 chapters in 1,500 communities nationwide, empowering local business owners, boosting regional economies and growing the larger American economy.
Prospective entrepreneurs with a mentor are five times more likely to start a business – and small business clients who receive 3+ hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased business growth.
In 2019 alone, SCORE mentors helped start 29,681 new businesses and create 97,387 new jobs. In the same year, we also helped 67% of our clients to increase their revenue. Find your own mentor to become our next success story!
