SCORE some help for your business

By Cindy Kent | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 25, 2008

The retired executives are busier than ever in this down-turned economy. L to R : Leon Leidner, Phillip Miller, Hal Finkelstein and Wolfgang Kurpiers. (Robert Mayer, Sun Sentinel / September 3, 2008)

Meeting with Boca Raton SCORE counselor Leon Leidner, Sheryl Makaron pored over a slew of forms and documents as she got ready to launch her House Check Plus LLC home management and services business. In this meeting, the pair was focused on setting up bookkeeping and handling zoning issues. Leidner instructed Makaron to give him copies of various documents once she filed them and to show him drafts of marketing materials and business cards to review on her next visit. "What I had was a plan," said Makaron. "After meeting with Leon, I now have much more of a plan."

Seeking help from SCORE was an easy first step for Makaron. She had heard about the organization years ago through general conversation. The business counselor organization is made up of mainly retired business executives, though some still work within their industry. SCORE's emphasis is to educate entrepreneurs in the formation, growth and success of small business through its 389 chapters and 10,500 volunteers nationwide, and it's a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Volunteer counselors and chapters do not accept fees for their services. That's an important factor for people such as Makaron, with limited capital. Makaron said turning to SCORE and learning how to do things for herself, has saved her thousands of dollars in counseling and legal fees.

Clients want to know how to get started, including how to get incorporated or set up a partnership, how to file taxes, how to set up a payroll. New businesses, or even existing businesses seeking an infusion of capital, turn to SCORE for guidance.

Counselors tap into their own experiences: owning a funeral home, operating a dry cleaning business, running a day care or owning a restaurant. And they bring a variety of skills to the table as accountants, Web developers, architects, mechanics, lawyers or even as chefs. And though counselors do not recommend professionals and services in which they have an interest, they direct clients to resources and agencies.

Throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, SCORE hosts workshops and seminars for free or a fee to cover materials.

Cindy Kent can be reached at ckent@ Sun-Sentinel.com or 954-356-4662.

Taking Notes

What is SCORE: Founded in 1964 as S.C.O.R.E., Service Core of Retired Executives, the nonprofit volunteer organization educates entrepreneurs in the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.

Cost: Free. Volunteer counselors and chapters do not accept fees for their services. Most seminars and workshops are free unless there is a fee to cover the cost of materials.

What can SCORE help with: Business plans, bookkeeping, operations, marketing, Internet, financing, budgeting and more.

Where is SCORE: Visitscore.org or call 800-634-0245 to locate chapters in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.