SCORE Naples Free Business Counseling

PRE-START

...Are You Ready for business ownership? Are your reasons to go into business sound? Do you understand the myths and truths about small business? SCORE will help you determine whether you are suited to be an entrepreneur by providing a thorough self assessment of your potential opportunity.

PLAN

...Your Business needs a business plan in order to start and proceed in the right way.

SCORE will counsel you on your plan and the tools you need to manage like quality, customer service, marketing and we will work with you if times get tough.

LAUNCH

...Your Business will involve many decisions, each one bringing you a step closer to the day it is up and running and making money. SCORE will counsel you on those decisions or point you toward the state and local offices and agencies that are best suited to help.

GROW

...Your Business begins with a dream but realizing it takes hard work. There will be setbacks, but as an entrepreneur you must persevere and devote time and money to make that dream a reality. You will need a map or plan, one that is clear, flexible and measurable and SCORE counselors can help you with it at no cost.

EXIT

...Your Business exit strategy is an important element of any business plan. Sometimes that strategy may change depending on your life situation, the evolution of your business, or your personal goals. Whether it's selling to an equity investor, competitor or strategic buyer or leaving it to an Heir, SCORE can help you.

So You Want to be an Entrepreneur-Let's Check Your Idea

Written by Frank Friend
Sunday, 07 March 2010 17:38
Daniel Isenberg a Professor of Management Practice at Babson College has prepared a list of 17 questions to help you test your big idea – does it have “legs” or doesn’t it? – Let’s find out.
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Uncle Sam may owe YOU money! Here is How to Claim It.

Written by Peggy Maltarich
Wednesday, 03 March 2010 11:55
Unclaimed refunds totaling more than $1.3 billion are awaiting nearly 1.4 million people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2006, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2006 must be filed with the IRS no later than Thursday, April 15, 2010. In Florida there are 101,700 taxpayers who are owed $11,070,900 of refunds that have gone unclaimed. If some of that money is yours, here is how to claim it.
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LOYALTY MANAGEMENT – A BETTER WAY

Written by Frank Friend
Thursday, 18 February 2010 14:39
Part I of a III part series Question: I operate a local service business. I try to be competitive and do the right thing for my customers but, in spite of my efforts, some choose to leave because of price or other considerations. What must I do to create a lasting bond with my customer? Answer: Loyalty Management uniquely combines “the right thing to do” with “the profitable thing to do”. It states that a company is more likely to prosper when it forges loyalty based relationships with its customers, investors, suppliers, and employees. The ultimate objective of Loyalty Management is to increase the number of loyal customers. Compared to satisfied customers, loyal customers stay longer with the company, refer more potential customers, buy more, are more forgiving of mistakes and are less likely to be attracted by a competitor’s offer.
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SCORE Naples Success Story

Written by Gray Poehler
Friday, 08 January 2010 19:20
Ann Porter, Owner of Kitchen Studio of Naples, Inc., pictured in her new showroom located, 3415 Radio Road, Suite 102 in downtown Naples just minutes from the Naples Airport. Meet Ann Porter, a native of Greensboro, NC, who eventually found her way to sunny Naples, after graduation from Virginia Tech, with a BS degree in Interior Design. She gained exceptional experience designing kitchens and bathrooms in the Northern Virginia/DC area before moving to southwest Florida where she founded Kitchen Studio of Naples, Inc. in 2002. Her specialty is kitchen and bath design and she enjoys creating unique designs for her clients that reflects their individual tastes and personalities.
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Something New is Coming From SCORE in May

Written by George Ahearn

Thursday, 18 February 2010 16:56

The New QuickSTART Series is HERE

Your Naples SCORE Chapter has been selected by the National SCORE organization to kick-off a new workshop series using an integrative and interactive approach to developing a business plan and bringing you to a go-no go decision for your business concept.

We will tell you all about it in a new and free Start Up Basics workshop to be held twice in April on the 17^th and the 22^nd and introduce you to the new QuickSTART Workshop Series. The series will be held in May on four consecutive Saturdays for a cost of $35 each. You get a 25+% discount for attending all four workshops at a total cost of only $100, which we highly recommend.

So register to attend one of the free Start Up Basics workshops in April now and find out all about QuickSTART. Call our office at 239-430-0081 or register on line at: www.scorenaples.org.

Saturday, April 17^th at 9:00 – 11:30 AM – The Greater Naples Chamber Bldg.

Thursday, April 22^nd at 5:30 – 8:00 PM – Naples Main Library @ 2385 Orange Blossom Dr.

DOING BUSINESS WITH THE GOVERNMENT

Written by Gray Poehler
Monday, 08 February 2010 21:38
QUESTION: I own a small contracting firm and want to participate in some of the infrastructure projects the Obama administration is funding. Where can I find information on this subject? Donald W., Golden Gate ANSWER: Federal, State and local governments offer many business opportunities to small businesses. Selling to the Federal Government can provide significant revenues, and the process is not as complicated as you may think. A good place to start is to visit The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) web site. It will help you understand the basics of selling to the government.
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Your Small Business May Qualify for a New Tax Credit.

Written by peggy maltarich
Tuesday, 19 January 2010 14:53
If you participate in a business as a sole proprietor, shareholder in an S corporation, partner in a Partnership, or member of an LLC, you may qualify for a new Income Tax Credit on your 2009 income tax return even if you did not have W-2 income. This special tax credit, the "Making Work Pay Credit", offers taxpayers an opportunity to lower their tax bill or increase their refunds this filing season. The credit is claimed on new Schedule M, "Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credits."
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Newsflash

SCORE Naples Speakers Bureau Visits PROVUS

SCORE Counselor and member of our Speakers Bureau, Gray Poehler, was the invited speaker at the February 10th meeting of PROVUS. The group, consisting of retired business men and women, meets monthly at the Vineyards Country Club for lunch and presentations covering topics of local interest. One of the coordinators is John Brooks, a neighbor of Gray, who is aware of his involvement with SCORE Naples.

Gray was asked to share his experiences as a small business counselor and the work SCORE does in the greater Naples community. Most were surprised at statistics indicating that over 44% of those employed in Collier County work for businesses with fewer than 20 employees. Gray used information provided by counselor Vince Izzi who has delivered similar lectures on behalf of the chapter. An active question and answer period followed the presentation.

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