Chamber, SCORE team up for free business counseling; Bilingual help is available

Free SCORE Business Counseling is now offered at the Vista Chamber office, 201 Washington St., by appointment. Just call the Chamber at 760.726.1122 if you'd like an appointment.

New SCORE counselor Marcos Souza is bilingual. “We are thrilled to have a bilingual SCORE counselor working with us,” said Chamber CEO Jim Baumann. “This was a need that was identified by our Latino Business Committee.”

SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, offers free business counseling in cooperation with several Chambers of Commerce in San Diego County . County chambers have been sponsoring SCORE counselors over 20 years, and work jointly with them to assist new and struggling business owners find information they need to be successful. SCORE counselors typically answer questions about: marketing; knowing what city, county and state laws affect their operations; finding good locations and leases; how to network and develop business commercials that get people interested; where to get help developing a website, and more.

Counselors often refer clients to Chamber members for services they need. In addition, they may suggest specific workshops on subjects that SCORE offers on an ongoing basis, and field counseling where a business exists to determine specific directions and resources for them based on personal visits. SCORE clients may see as many counselors as needed to assist with their needs, at no cost.

Call the Vista Chamber at 760-726-1122 for further information or to make an appointment for counseling.

Check the SCORE website at www.score-sandiego.org for further information on business resources and seminars.

What is the hardest part of starting a business? Finding needed legal and resource information, and knowing the right questions to ask, are some of the cited concerns of new business owners.

SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Businesses," has been around for 40 years, yet many people needing help do not know there is a great deal of FREE business information to be had on the SCORE website alone, at SCORE workshops, and at Chambers of Commerce throughout San Diego County and the U.S.A. Of course SCORE counselors recommend they do as much free research as possible before giving up their day job, or spending money on the business until they have a good understanding what they are getting into.

County Chambers have been sponsoring SCORE counselors over 20 years, and work jointly with them to assist new and struggling business owners find information they need to be successful. In some recent Chamber meetings where new business owners were asked questions about their needs, several cited the following: help with marketing; knowing what City, County and State laws affected their operations; finding good locations and leases; how to network and develop business commercials that get people interested; where to get help developing a website, etc.

SCORE offers FREE business counseling at many Chambers, including the Vista Chamber, and works closely with the help needed for each person. Counselors often refer clients to Chamber members for services they need. In addition, they may suggest specific workshops on subjects that SCORE offers on an on-going basis, and field counseling where a business exists to determine specific directions and resources for them based on personal visits. SCORE clients may see as many counselors as needed to assist with their needs, at NO cost.

Low-cost SCORE workshops include: How to Start and Manage a Business; How to Develop your Competitive Advantage; Financing Your Business; How to Write a Winning Business Plan; Marketing, Advertising & Branding; QuickBooks; Selling and Internet Marketing, etc. Attending these before opening a business is highly recommended, and they may be refunded by the business for up to two years, including the mileage, after the business has an income.

SCORE also offers monthly Women's Breakfast Roundtables and an Annual Women's Business Conference. The easiest way to get some information is at FREE BUSINESS STUFF on the website: www.score-sandiego.org. The website also provides workshop information, dates, registration and directions, as well as locations for FREE business counseling at various county chambers. Telephone information is available weekdays at (619) 557-7272.