Orange County SCORE in California Wins National SCORE Chapter of the Year Award

SCORE Chapter Honored at National Small Business Week

SANTA ANA, Calif., May 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" honors Orange County SCORE in California for exceptional small business service to entrepreneurs. Orange County SCORE earned National SCORE Chapter of the Year honors for excellent client satisfaction, exceptional growth in serving entrepreneurs, and successful community outreach. Learn more about Orange County SCORE at www.score114.org.

Orange County SCORE District Director Bill Morland and Chapter Chair Carl Woodard were honored by SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) during National Small Business Week 2010 in Washington, D.C. SCORE is a co-sponsor of Small Business Week.

Orange County SCORE provided more than 17,000 services through counseling sessions and workshops last year, an increase of 29 percent. Orange County SCORE has led all SCORE chapters with the most services provided since 2004.

The chapter offers the popular Women in Business Breakfast Series. The entrepreneurs learn from other successful businesswomen and share ideas, experience and advice. Local counselor Betty Otte is a national small business blogger on the SCORE Women's Success Blog.

Notable success stories include:

• Roy Van Broekhuizen, co-owner of Laga Designs International, attended a chapter workshop on marketing where he met SCORE counselor Tom Patty. Tom and a team of SCORE counselors helped Roy find the right price point for handmade bags and create national buzz, leading to growing sales and an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. www.score.org/success_laga_designs.html
• Shereen Sabet, owner of Splashgear, attended several SCORE workshops as she was starting her business offering swimwear for women. SCORE counselor Tony Calderone helped her manage contracts and commissions, and grow sales by expanding her online business into retail stores. www.score.org/success_splashgear.html
• John O'Keefe, founder of the Center for Peak Performance, worked with SCORE Counselors Betty Otte and Robin Noah to polish his sales technique and incorporate virtual marketing and social networking to get new customers. His closing rate has jumped to 80 percent when interviewing for new clients. www.score.org/success_center_for_peak_performance.html
• Morgan Smith and Jack Demers, owners of Boneheads Restaurant, received marketing advice from SCORE Counselor Tom Patty. He helped them come up with an innovative advertising campaign and customer loyalty program, making Boneheads a highly profitable and popular restaurant. www.score.org/success_boneheads.html

SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, "Orange County SCORE makes a tremendous impact on the success of the communities they serve by helping small businesses start, grow and create jobs." Yancey adds, "Orange County SCORE is a national leader in providing services and resources that benefit entrepreneurs. We salute Orange County SCORE counselors for their volunteerism and excellence."

Other finalists for National SCORE Chapter of the Year include: First Runner-up SCORE Naples in Fla.; Second Runner-up Grand Strand SCORE in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Third Runner-up South Palm Beach SCORE in Fla.; Grand Rapids SCORE in Mich.; and Little Rock SCORE in Ark.

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 8.5 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through mentoring and workshops. More than 12,400 volunteer business counselors in 364 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score.org and www.score.org/women. Connect with SCORE at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans, http://twitter.com/SCOREMentors and www.scorecommunity.org.

SOURCE SCORE