SCORE Advice and Education is a Direct Catalyst for Creating Jobs

In 2010, SCORE Helped Small Business Owners Add over 71,000 Jobs

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As President Obama unveils his jobs plan, the U.S. economy continues to face challenges related to job growth and job security. SCORE (www.score.org) stands ready to continue to support Americans starting and growing small businesses as a way to provide financial security for themselves and their families.  These entrepreneurs can look to SCORE to help them ensure that their ventures will start off on the right path, and their existing small businesses will survive and thrive for the life of their business.

Small business has always been the engine of America's economy and SCORE – mentors to America's small businesses – has provided invaluable, hands-on, free mentoring and business development expertise to aspiring entrepreneurs for close to 40 years.  

In 2010:

• SCORE client businesses created 71,449 jobs and helped 11,045 small businesses save an estimated 17,629 jobs in 2010.
• SCORE clients started a total of 58,637 new businesses despite a turbulent economy;
• At least 91% of SCORE's 2010 clients remained in business in 2011.  

You can view examples of the great advice, tips and techniques from the 13,000 SCORE mentors at www.score.org/small_business_minute.

"Small businesses employ about half of all U.S. workers," said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey.  "In fact, small firms accounted for 9.8 million of the 15 million net new jobs created between 1993 and 2009," he added.  "During these uncertain economic times, we are here to reassure aspiring and current small business owners that SCORE continues to focus on its mission of providing entrepreneurs with valuable skills and business-building tools through our free expert mentors and resources.  SCORE is here to help for the life of their businesses."

SCORE is in the second year of its campaign to help launch or grow 1 million successful small businesses by 2017. SCORE's overall approach, which partners experienced business professionals with entrepreneurs and existing small business owners, has proven to be highly effective for local communities as well as the larger American economy that benefits from the creativity, skills and perseverance of its citizens and the businesses and jobs they create.

About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 9 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE provides small business mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000 new and growing small businesses. More than 13,500 business experts volunteer as mentors in 354 chapters serving local communities with entrepreneur education to help grow 1 million 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 or connect with us at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans or www.twitter.com/SCOREMentors.

SOURCE SCORE