SCORE Helps U.S. Small Businesses Create Jobs

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SCORE – www.score.org - America's premier source of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs, is helping to strengthen the U.S. economy through small business growth and job creation.  From the mid-1980s to the mid-2000s, 450,000-550,000 new businesses with at least one employee were created per year in the U.S. but in 2009, that number dropped to just 400,000, according to Financial Times. This declining number is of concern because of the subsequent effect on job creation. According to research by the Kauffman Foundation, companies less than five years old have generated all of the net jobs in the U.S. economy since the 1970s.  In 2010, SCORE helped entrepreneurs start 58,637 new businesses in the U.S. with their offerings of free expert mentoring, business education and proven tools of success. In the same year, SCORE clients created 71,449 new jobs and saved an estimated 17,629 jobs in the American economy. 

SCORE has found that, as with any major undertaking, thoughtful planning under the guidance of an experienced mentor is vital to the success of American small businesses. In fact, Palo Alto Software research shows that entrepreneurs who completed business plans were nearly twice as likely to successfully grow their businesses or obtain capital as those who didn't write a plan. Raj Tumber, a SCORE Mentor, emphasizes the importance of business planning saying, "I often meet with people who say, 'I don't need a business plan for my business. I have the passion and motivation.' But proper planning is the bridge between being passionate and making things happen.  Prior to starting a business, determine the feasibility of success by planning and discovering the roadblocks today."

In 2009, SCORE mentors Patrick Thompson and Gary Sutherland counseled the owners of electronic manufacturer Quasimoto Interactive Inc. through their workforce expansion from four to twelve employees.  A realistic business plan developed in tandem with and reviewed by their mentors helped owners, Jessica Fuller-Gerding and Chris Gerding, understand the challenges and opportunities that would accompany the addition of new employees within their organization.

SCORE's network of 13,000+ volunteer mentors will continue to faithfully aid any entrepreneur seeking to start or grow their business.  For advice on how to plan for your business's success in the new year, visit the SCORE Small Business Blog at www.blog.score.org or find an expert mentor at www.score.org/mentors.  Access SCORE's free business planning templates at http://www.score.org/resources/business-plans-financial-statements-template-gallery and free Easy Business Plan webinar at http://www.score.org/events/workshops/easy-business-plan.

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 13,000 business experts volunteer as mentors in 364 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 http://www.score.org/women. Connect with SCORE at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans and www.twitter.com/SCOREMentors.

Contact Information
Shalini Karnani Bonjour
800/634-0245
[email protected]

SOURCE SCORE Association