MENTOR’S CORNER: A FREE Resource For Small Businesses

By Ken Camarillo

The local Chapter of SCORE is excited to partner with John Grossi and LB908 on a new Mentor’s Corner column!

The Mentor’s Corner is a place where Long Beach entrepreneurs can tap into a network of business experts who understand the unique challenges and opportunities locally. SCORE mentors serve as trusted advisors, helping entrepreneurs refine their ideas, make informed decisions, and overcome obstacles.

Whether it's navigating the complexity of a startup, analyzing market trends, or optimizing your operations, SCORE mentors are ready to answer your most challenging questions in this new column.

What Is SCORE?

SCORE is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the growth and success of small businesses. Originally established in 1961 by the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE has played a pivotal role in the entrepreneurial landscape, connecting experienced business professionals with aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners to create a powerful mentoring network.

“What sets SCORE apart,” says Rosemary Danon, Chair and President of the Long Beach/South Bay Chapter, "is its unique approach to pairing mentees with mentors based on industry expertise, ensuring we provide tailored guidance for individual business challenges.” 

Free Mentors And Workshops

Mentors are passionate and committed to their mentees’ success, they are seasoned executives and entrepreneurs themselves ready to share their wealth of business knowledge. A SCORE mentor can help a local business owner clarify a vision through a well-developed business plan. They can help develop a go-to market strategy for new products or help business owners identify root cause issues that are preventing growth in their business operations. 

In addition to one-on-one mentoring, our SCORE Chapter is increasing its number of workshops and webinars offerings. Topics include: The Art of the One Page Business Plan, QuickBooks 101, How to Create Events that Promote Your Business, Using AI for Small Business, HR for Small Business and Generating Sales Through Social Media, to name a few. These free events are designed to empower entrepreneurs with the insights, skills, and confidence needed to navigate the intricacies of running a successful business.

John Grossi, LB908 Publisher shares how he became aware of SCORE. "Ken Camarillo reached out to me as a reader and fan of our magazine and talked to me enthusiastically about the organization he was volunteering with, SCORE, whose sole purpose is to help small business owners overcome the challenges they face. I'm excited to have Ken write this column offering real solutions to common problems local businesses face. The more small businesses in our community that prosper, the more Life will be Great in the 908!"

We Want Your Small Business Questions 

In the coming issues of LB908, SCORE mentors will share solutions to help optimize your business no matter what entrepreneurial stage you are in. An example: understanding your success metrics to improve your quarterly planning. If you have a general business question, need strategic planning guidance or are looking to improve your workflow, the LB908 Mentor’s Corner is your local resource.

Send your questions to office@lb908.com with the subject line: Mentor's Corner.