Entrepreneurs are independent by nature. Business owners take the risk of entrepreneurship because they have bright ideas and the skill and determination to get the job done. Often entrepreneurial beginnings can be traced to starting out alone. Well there is no need to go it alone. Resources are available to help entrepreneurs succeed and succeed more quickly. It is admirable to go it alone, but it may make sense to call upon others for some help if it means greater success for your business.

There is an insurance policy available to help you succeed and there is no premium to pay. The business back-up I’m speaking of is SCORE®—the Service Corps of Retired Executives. More than 12,000 working and retired business managers and business owners donate their time and talent to help entrepreneurs. SCORE® volunteers provide business counseling and mentoring to entrepreneurs as a free and confidential service. Experts in accounting, finance, human resources, law and marketing are available to give advice and counsel you on business issues. These volunteers serve in one of 389 SCORE® chapters throughout the United States. SCORE® counseling is free and only a phone call away.

SCORE® counselors bring extensive business backgrounds to the table. Their expertise is donated to help you bring more resources to your business, without adding expenses. If you want to discuss business planning, a SCORE® counselor can help. If you want to discuss the tax implications of changing your business from sole proprietorship to corporations, SCORE® can help. And, when needed a SCORE® counselor may suggest that you consult with your attorney or accountant for specialized guidance regarding current laws. In addition to counseling, SCORE® offers low-cost workshops and seminars on a variety of business topics ranging from how to start a business to developing a succession plan.

As the business owner, you make the critical decisions that affect your business. Sometimes you will pay for the advice of consultants and experts. Perhaps you will now call on SCORE® for business advice and mentoring that doesn’t cost you anything. SCORE® can offer this service free of charge, because so many professionals around the country have succeeded in business and want to share their real-world knowledge with others.

If you would like to discuss business planning, business growth strategies or a specific business issue, contact the SCORE® Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives). Call SCORE® and request a copy of the brochure "No One Knows More About Business Ownership." For a referral to the SCORE® chapter nearest you and a free copy of the brochure mentioned above, call 1 (800) 634-0245.