CenValSCOREPR's blog

The American economy is suffering due to one major factor: Bad loans. SCORE is going to help you by giving you the tools and information you need so you will not become a victim of a bad loan. However, there are good loans, and most of them are right in your neighborhood!

The Central Valley is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing areas in all of California. SCORE- Counselors to America's Small Business, is helping to assist these business entrepreneurs with business opportunities for them to consider. But getting funding is something that people fear. SCORE is here to help calm your worries and answer any questions you have.

Franchises are some of the safest and fastest growing industries business entrepreneurs can invest in. With over an 85% success rate, franchising has quickly become the most recognized form of small business.

Would you like to find and start a franchise? SCORE knows that many people in the Central Valley might not know where to start. Rather than pay hundreds of dollars to have one person's advice, SCORE has many individuals to give you all the important information you will need. Top franchise industry speakers, all with personal experience, will be present.

SCORE is very fortunate to have our first speaker: Jania Baily. She is the President and COO of FranNet, a consulting firm that helps people find and buy franchises. FranNet has over 50,000 business listings and is nationwide. She will be flying in from Louisville, Kentucky to present for us. Her experience includes over 25 years in the banking and franchise industries. Before that, she oversaw operational support and development for franchisees in a five state region. She has been a key-note speaker at many national conventions and is the recipient of numerous industry awards.

More SCORE Business Counselors are always needed. SCORE looks for active or retired qualified business owners or executives to volunteer as counselors to help a new generation of people in the business world. The minimum time commitment for counselors is 15-20 hours per month. Volunteers can counsel, lead workshops, and/or serve in leadership roles.
Qualifications include a minimum of 10 years of experience running a business of 5 or more employees, or experience managing a department in a large corporation. SCORE has business counselors from 30 to 96 years of age, and provides extensive training for new counselors, including a mentorship program.

Central California SCORE provides FREE and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of those managing or wanting to start a small business. Counselors are experts in areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, management and business plan preparation. SCORE counselors have assisted many clients in obtaining business loans.
All counselors are volunteers that have been part of successful businesses, both in Central California and across the United States. In addition, they honor a code of ethics that ensures client confidentiality and professional conduct.

SCORE office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, except for holidays. There is no charge for counseling, no matter how many sessions are needed. Each session will last about one hour, and follow-up sessions are encouraged. Counseling is available to all U.S. citizens over the age of 13.

Central California SCORE Fact Sheet

SCORE is national, non-profit organization that is a resource partner of the Small Business Administration. The Central California Chapter of SCORE offers FREE and confidential business counseling and training to would-be and current business owners in Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Merced counties. In addition to in-person, phone and online counseling, SCORE hosts numerous workshops, for a small fee, for both start-up and in-business entrepreneurs.

SCORE's mission is to provide professional guidance and information,
accessible to all, to maximize the success of America's