To highlight National Mentoring Day, we would like to recognize one of our shining stars in the SBA Resource Partner Family, SCORE NH. SCORE is a national resource partner with the largest network of volunteer expert business mentors that are dedicated to helping small businesses grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, this national organization has provided mentoring and educational programming to more than 11 million entrepreneurs.
SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides free business mentoring and advice to new and existing business owners. In FY 2022, SCORE NH conducted over 3,000 mentoring sessions with 1,200 clients and conducted 128 training sessions with 3,200 attendees. SCORE NH is made up of 175 volunteers and actively recruited 50 new members this year.
Meet Gene Calvano, SCORE District Director for NH and VT and Certified Business Mentor
For over 10 years Gene Calvano has volunteered to help entrepreneurs by sharing his experience and extensive knowledge in running successful small businesses.
Prior to becoming a SCORE Certified Business mentor, Gene had started his own computer database software development company that grew to employ 10 people and had over 400 installations worldwide. He was also a system engineer and sales representative for IBM Corporation. He brings to the table experience in sales, business development, and marketing and has helped many people start and grow their businesses.
Today, Gene is now the District Director for SCORE in NH and VT and is still actively taking on new clients and advising all his current clients as well.
|
Dick Vereecke from the Merrimack Valley Chapter of SCORE.
Dick is a former officer in the US Marine Corps and spent 30 years working in corporate finance with IBM. In retirement, Dick was looking to give back using his extensive background in business and started volunteering at his local SCORE Chapter. He has been instrumental in helping many aspiring business owners validate their business ideas. He has a strong following of clients, many of whom have become successful business owners. Working with both start up entrepreneurs and existing businesses alike, Dick assists them in many aspects of their business. He is highly regarded by the team of volunteers at SCORE and he exemplifies the value of being a dedicated mentor, workshop coordinator and presenter extraordinaire.
|
Meet Heather Turner from the Merrimack Valley Chapter of SCORE.
Heather joined the Merrimack Valley Chapter in 2019 and has been an invaluable asset, both as a Certified SCORE mentor and workshop presenter. Over the past 18 months, Heather has led over 240 individual mentoring sessions with approximately one hundred different small business owners, while serving as the Vice-Chair of our Chapter and taking over as Workshop Coordinator last July. She has personally presented an average of one workshop per week for the past three years, which are always well received by the dozens of current and aspiring small business owners. She is currently the Chapter Co-Chair, Event Coordinator and Social Media Chair.
Heather advocates for women through example. She sets the bar high for the 100s of women who see her and appreciate her expertise she is willing to share. Heather has earned a reputation for going above and beyond to find workable solutions for her clients. Her positive energy and attitude have led to a tremendous impact on small businesses throughout the Merrimack Valley Region.
|
Mentors can:
- Provide expertise & practical “know-how”
- Help you optimize your business plans
- Troubleshoot new strategies & ideas
- Offer you proven business tools
- Become your trusted small business advisor
- No matter where you are, access to more than 10,000 dedicated mentors is just a click away!
14 Entrepreneurs Share the Best Advice They’ve Ever Received from a Mentor
To help you see the benefit of mentorship, we asked entrepreneurs this question for their best insights gained as mentees. From owning your own mistakes to breaking big goals into small steps, several pieces of advice may help you shape your career and personal life into success, just like the entrepreneurs who shared them.
The business world can be a challenging place to navigate. Having a mentor that knows the ropes is a great resource to have, guiding you towards the best path possible. As a business professional who is constantly making decisions, what type of questions should you be asking?
Knowing what questions and decisions to seek council on will make all the difference in your successes and failures.
MENTORING WORKS!
Small business owners who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased growth.
Find Local Assistance Small Business Administration (sba.gov)
SCORE is looking for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to serve as knowledgeable business mentors for SCORE clients. You would be advising small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs along each stage of their journey from assisting with business plan development to guiding business owners as they grow. Use the skills and knowledge in your field to help entrepreneurs reach their dream of business ownership!
Volunteer as a Business Counselor | SCORE New Hampshire (scorenh.org)
|
