Speaker for June 30 - Bob Machon (SCORE Ventura)

Bob Machon gave a wonderful presentation about the tremendous resources available through SCORE.  SCORE is a non-profit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed.  SCORE was founded in 1964 as a resource partner to the Small Business Association.  It has since grown to 389 chapters throughout the United States with approximately 10,500 volunteers.

SCORE is operated solely by volunteers.  The volunteers are retired or active executives, professionals, and business owners who have extensive experience in business.  SCORE offers unlimited, free one-on-one business counseling.  A person can receive advice regarding just about any aspect of running a business including:  start-up, growth, sales, marketing, human resources, legal, accounting, and website/internet.  All counseling is confidential.

The Ventura County SCORE chapter has two offices:  one in Oxnard and one in Thousand Oaks.  They are staffed by approximately 42 volunteers who have over 600 years of combined experience. 

The Ventura County chapter offers a series of workshops each Spring, Summer, and Fall.  The workshops are typically held on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Although one-on-one counseling is free, the workshops currently cost $55 each.  The funds generated from the workshops help keep the chapter running by paying for postage, mileage, printed materials, etc.  Some topics covered in the worshops include:  how to start a business, how to create a marketing and sales plan, financial and cash management, internet design, and e-marketing.

Mr. Machon stated that he often sees people who have a great idea for a business, or who are already operating a business, but do not have a business plan.  He highly recommends that people take the time to create a business plan because it will force them to think things through and answer a variety of “what if” questions. 

The Ventura County chapter has seen an increase in the demand for its services due to the slow economy and the large number of unemployed people.  Anyone interested in volunteering for SCORE is encouraged to contact the local chapter.

www.scoreventura.org  805-204-6022  info@scoreventura.org

Thank you Mr. Machon for a great presentation and for volunteering your time to help entrepreneurs.   

== Deborah Perkins