Business Execs Volunteer To Coach Small Business Entrepreneurs

When I retired and returned to Lakewood after many years away, I began looking for a way to volunteer and reconnect. I had time on my hands, and I felt that I had experience to share. 

I had worked as a journalist and business news publisher, then as a teacher, trainer, and coach of media entrepreneurs. So I looked up the Cleveland chapter of SCORE.org. It’s a group of volunteer business people who coach small business owners and startups. I had worked with them years earlier in Baltimore. 

I learned that I could become a volunteer mentor by taking some online courses and co-mentoring clients with veteran mentors.

Statistics show that entrepreneurs that work with SCORE mentors start businesses, create jobs and increase revenue. The work we do at SCORE makes a measurable impact on the community and - more importantly - someone’s life.

The Cleveland chapter was District Chapter of the Year in 2023; our 80 volunteers helped clients with 7,600 services – either mentoring sessions or total workshop attendees. We helped launch 501 new businesses that created 808 jobs. All the services and materials are free. 

Our surveys show 86% of our clients would recommend our services to their friends, and 55% of those clients in business reported increased revenues. 

The other SCORE volunteers have such impressive executive experience that I am constantly learning. And then working with the clients as we try to solve problems together again offers opportunities to learn. And you’re never too old to learn. 

April is National Volunteer Month, and our chapter is always looking for volunteer mentors. For information on how to volunteer, visit our website here https://www.score.org/page/volunteer-score

Or scan this QR code

James Breiner is a Lakewood native, a graduate of St. Ignatius High and the College of Wooster. He is a retired journalist and journalism professor.