SCORE Mentors

10/28/2026

🎯 Ready to graduate from basic prompt tricks to high-level strategic planning? 🧭

Join SCORE this Friday, October 30 at 11:30 AM CT for an advanced live workshop: "Next Level AI for Small Business: From Answers to Intelligence."

What you will master:
⚡ Turning AI into a strategic sounding board for expansion decisions
⚡ Modeling future scenarios and evaluating risk factors systematically
⚡ Sifting actionable business intelligence out of raw data
⚡ Accelerating strategic decisions without wading through endless research

🎟️ Registration: $10.00 | Built specifically for founders and managers ready to make sharper calls.

👇 Ready to turn AI into actionable intelligence? See the first comment to register! 👇

Comprehensive Webinar: Once you know how to communicate effectively with AI, the next step is learning how to use it to help you think, strategize, and make better-informed business decisions.

10/28/2026

🤖 TOMORROW AT NOON!

The way customers search is changing. Is your business ready?

Join us tomorrow for How Businesses Can Win in the AI Search Era and learn how AI tools discover businesses—and what simple steps you can take to improve your online presence.

You'll learn about:
🔎 AI-powered search
💡 Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
🌐 Your website's role
📱 Your online presence
🎯 Practical steps you can take

📅 Tomorrow — October 29
⏰ Noon
💻 Virtual

10/27/2026

“I want to personally thank my mentor, Ralph NeSmith, for his feedback, insights, and the greatest gift of his time to listen, learn, and be on the journey with me.”

Every entrepreneur needs people in their corner who are willing to share what they know, offer a fresh perspective, and help them navigate the challenges of building a business. For Janel Urena, Ralph has been one of those people.

Janel also called SCORE an incredible “cheat code” for entrepreneurs. 😏 Ready to unlock your next level?

10/27/2026

🔮 Think AI stops at drafting quick emails and bullet points? Time to rethink your toolkit! 💡

Join SCORE this Thursday, October 29 at 12:00 PM CT for a dynamic, free webinar: "Intro to AI for Small Business: Beyond the Basics."

Here is what you will explore:
✨ Carrying out lightning-fast competitive and market research
✨ Turning scattered company data into sharp business insights
✨ Brainstorming fresh offerings and unique service angles
✨ Tackling day-to-day workflow roadblocks with smart AI prompts

🎟️ Cost: 100% FREE! Tailored for ambitious business owners ready to save valuable hours.

👇 Ready to unlock practical AI power? Check the first comment to claim your seat! 👇

Artificial intelligence can do much more than write emails/social media posts. This introduction explores how small business owners can use AI as a versatile tool for creating, researching, analyzing information, solving problems, and developing ideas.

10/26/2026

💸 Is your bank account telling a completely different story than your spreadsheets? 📉

Join SCORE this Wednesday, October 28 at 6:30 PM CT for a practical workshop: "Cash Flow 101: The Foundation of Every Strong Startup."

Here is what we'll tackle together:
🔹 Unpacking how cash flow numbers are pulled from your financial statements
🔹 Spotting the vital gap between paper profit and liquid funds
🔹 Actionable tips to predict expenses and protect your financial runway
🔹 Recognizing cash shortage warning signs before they hurt operations

🎟️ Fee: $10.00 | Tailored specifically for startup founders and growing businesses.

👇 Want to build financial resilience? Head down to the first comment to grab your seat! 👇

The course will cover an in depth look at how cash flow information is generated from your business financial information. (Duration 1.5 hours)

10/26/2026

⏰ 2 DAYS AWAY!

Business owners and entrepreneurs—are you ready to talk financing? The Small Business Lender–Borrower Matchmaking & Resource Event is happening this Wednesday!

🏦 Meet multiple lenders
🤝 Participate in one-on-one matchmaking sessions
💰 Discuss your financing needs
📈 Explore funding opportunities
🧭 Connect with business resources

📅 Wednesday, October 28
⏰ 8:00 AM–12:30 PM
📍 Wichita State University Metroplex, Room 180
💵 FREE

10/26/2026

Learning never stops when you’re building your dream! 🌟

Join SCORE mentors and small business experts for low-cost webinars and local events designed to help entrepreneurs like you succeed.

10/23/2026

📅 NEXT WEEK: Which event belongs on your calendar?

If you're thinking: 💰 "I need financing for my business."
→ Join us October 28 for the Small Business Lender–Borrower Matchmaking & Resource Event.

If you're thinking: 🔎 "I need more customers to find my business."
→ Join us October 29 for How Businesses Can Win in the AI Search Era.

And if you're thinking: 💰 AND 🔎
→ Attend both!

October 28
🏦 Lender Matchmaking
📍 In person
⏰ 8:00 AM–12:30 PM

October 29
🤖 AI Search
💻 Virtual
⏰ Noon

Both are FREE.

10/22/2026

🚨 Small business owners, it's time to get holiday-ready!

Small Business Saturday is your chance to get in front of new customers, bring in more sales and set your business up for a strong holiday season. But don't leave your plan to the last minute.

Swipe through for 8 ways to make the most of it, then check out SCORE's Holiday Success Hub [link in comments] for more tips, tools and resources. 🎁

Save this post for your holiday prep checklist! 📌

10/22/2026

Flowers are personal. The experience of buying them should be, too. 💐

For Connie Estey and her husband, Paul, a passion for floral design sparked a bigger vision: create a business where customers feel like family, flowers are fresh and affordable, and every interaction feels personal.

Together, they turned that vision into Seawalk Custom Florals, an e-commerce business serving Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, building a reputation for thoughtful service and strong community ties.

But growing a business takes more than a great product. With guidance from SCORE mentor Derrick Smith, Connie and Paul strengthened their business knowledge, navigated the complexities of growth, and made more informed strategic decisions.

Today, Seawalk Custom Florals is blooming beyond a passion project, proving that personalized service and genuine community connection can help a small business stand out.

10/21/2026

When Banks Say NO, Your Business Dreams Don't Have to Stop!

Have you been turned down for a traditional business loan? Don't get discouraged! There are other financing options that could help you start, grow, or expand your small business.

Join SCORE Mentors for a FREE webinar and discover alternative funding opportunities that may be the right fit for your business!

📅 Thur, October 22, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM PDT
💻 Online Webinar

What You'll Learn:
✅ Explore funding options beyond traditional bank loans
✅ Learn about SBA loans, grants, and microlending programs
✅ Compare financing costs, qualifications, and requirements
✅ Understand the advantages and challenges of different funding sources
✅ Discover how to choose financing that supports your business goals

Whether you're launching a new business, looking to expand, or searching for additional capital, this webinar can help you make more informed funding decisions.

Ready to explore your funding options? Visit www.score.org/business-education to find the webinar and register!

Know a small business owner who could benefit from this information? Tag them in the comments or share this post!

10/20/2026

SCORE mentor Nahrin Alkhas knows that behind every thriving small business is a community of people who believe in its potential. 💙

From mentors sharing their expertise to resource partners opening doors, it takes a team to help entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.

For Nahrin, being part of that community means more than giving back. It means helping build a world where small business owners feel supported, encouraged, and empowered to keep going.

Because no entrepreneur should have to build their dream alone.

Ready to be part of a community that makes a difference? Become a SCORE mentor. 💙

10/20/2026

The bank just said NO. What do you do? 👀

Plot twist: THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET FUNDED! 💰

…and Boyd Karren of Otro Financial is breaking down your options on Thursday!

Comment “FUNDING” and we’ll send you the link to register.

10/19/2026

Sometimes, the biggest business win is realizing how far you've come.

When SCORE client Dave started his business 16 years ago, he was working out of his backyard garage with no college degree and no business experience. Today, he's built a profitable automotive business, paid off $167,000 in debt, and secured the financing he needs to grow his three companies.

But the biggest change isn't just in the numbers. It's in how Dave sees himself and what he's accomplished.

After a decade of working with SCORE mentors and learning to understand the financial side of business, Dave presented his growth strategy to four banks. All four made offers.

Reflecting on the milestone, he shared:

“I'm finally making that transition from the ‘I should be here, I should be doing this’ syndrome to the ‘look what I've done, look what I've got, and look where I'm going’ syndrome.”

Mentorship can help entrepreneurs build stronger businesses, make more informed decisions, and recognize the progress they've made along the way.

Sometimes, it's time to stop focusing on how far you have to go and celebrate how far you've already come.

Way to GROW, Dave!

10/16/2026

Sometimes the best financial decision you can make is getting another perspective. 💙

Meet Zoila Sanguinetti, a SCORE mentor with financial planning experience who helps entrepreneurs work through the numbers, think through their options and make informed decisions for their businesses.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you meet with a mentor. That’s what mentoring is for.

This National Financial Planning Month, connect with a SCORE mentor and get guidance for the financial questions behind your business.

📈 Your business. Your goals. Your plan.

10/15/2026

🚨 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: A SCORE CLIENT JUST HIT HSN!

Two years after winning the grand prize in one of SCORE's 60th Anniversary Pitch Competitions, Lisa Basini of Baking Coach, Inc. has taken another exciting step forward: featuring her cookie dough kits on a live HSN broadcast! 🍪📺

Watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JdMD8Fxoc/
Lisa's segment begins at the 4-minute mark!

Baking Coach is on a mission to create meaningful employment opportunities for the differently-abled, and we're thrilled to celebrate Lisa and her team's growing success.

From the pitch competition stage to the national stage, we're cheering you on, Lisa! 🎉

10/15/2026

Join us for community lunch from 12:00-1:00 this Friday, 10/16 for a special conversation with our dear friend David Broner.

David—a longtime small business owner and current volunteer mentor with SCORE Mentors—recently wrote and published his ethical will. That's a document in the Jewish tradition that gives the writer the opportunity to tell their story and pass on life lessons to future generations.

Many of us in the Green Garage have been impressed and inspired by David's work on his ethical will. Join us on Friday to hear more about the tradition, the process, and David's life story.

12:00-1:00 at the Green Garage, 4444 2nd Ave. Fee and open to all, lunch courtesy of Seasons Market & Cafe.

📸 Photo of David courtesy of GG alum Brendan Ross, Photographer.

10/14/2026

Getting ready to launch a product?

Your barcode does more than speed up checkout. It helps retailers and online marketplaces identify your products, manage inventory and connect your brand to the products you sell.

Learn how to choose the right product identifiers and set your business up for a successful launch in our latest article, brought to you by GS1 US.

Learn why barcodes matter and how you can set them up to ensure launch success.