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Statistics show that aspiring or established entrepreneurs that work with SCORE mentors start businesses, create jobs and increase revenue. The work you will do at SCORE will make a measurable impact on the nation’s economy and - more importantly - someone’s life.
What does a mentor do?
Our mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. Our Mentors are the driving force in achieving this mission and are the backbone of our organization.
SCORE Mentors pledge to contribute to the SCORE mission in meaningful ways. Our data shows that clients who receive mentoring are more likely to see positive outcomes such as businesses started, jobs created and increased revenues. Our clients rely on our Mentors’ expertise to help them succeed. They depend on our service, our time and our prompt response to their requests.
As a Mentor, you’ll be assigned mentoring requests that we receive from clients. These requests contain information about the client including their name, business name, industry and business question. You’ll use that information to contact the client and schedule a meeting. In the meeting, you’ll work to understand the client’s business, their needs and challenges. Then you’ll answer their questions and guide them to solutions, information and resources to help them make sound decisions for their business. Your job as a Mentor is to guide, support and encourage our clients. You will not do the work for them.
SCORE uses a Client Relationship Management (CRM) system to keep track of the hundreds of thousands of mentoring requests we receive and the session notes that mentors record. This information helps us understand where our clients are in their business journey and how we can help support them along the way. So, in addition to sharing your advice, we’ll also ask you to track this information in our CRM system.
A Day in the Life of a SCORE Mentor
- Mentoring 2-4 hours per week depending on your client portfolio – this involves:
- Reviewing SCORE’s CRM / email for any requests for mentoring.
- Setting up a meeting with the client.
- Meeting with the client. Meetings can range from 30 - 90 minutes, based on the client’s questions.
- Entering meeting notes into SCOREs CRM and sending a follow-up e-mail (and resources) to the client.
- Attending chapter meetings – These normally require 1- 2 hours per month.
- Attending workshops – join these occasionally if you’re interested in self-development.
- Attending local community outreach events – occasionally and if interested.
That sounds like a lot of work. Is it worth it?
If you ask our clients, the answer is a resounding yes. Here’s why:
- Mentors do very important work in helping clients avoid costly mistakes and make sound decisions for their businesses.
- The decisions you help clients make influence their financial and business success.
- You’re giving back to society in a meaningful way.
- You can make a difference with every client every day.
Our small business client mix is very diverse. Their questions vary widely from very basic to complex. The first question is generally the start of a longer mentoring relationship, but sometimes they just need help with one issue.
We’ve surveyed our top Mentors to identify the characteristics of an ideal Mentor. You may be a good fit for the role if you agree with the following statements:
- I want to help aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business.
- I like being a sounding board to small business owners who are looking for advice and guidance.
- I have flexibility with my schedule and a few hours per week available so that I can volunteer.
- Being part of an established, national volunteer organization where I can expand my social network is important to me.
- I want more of that sense of satisfaction I had from accomplishments when I was working full time in my career.
- I want to belong to a group of like-minded professionals, working together to help a worthwhile cause.
- I want to make a meaningful contribution to society.
- I am motivated to give back.
- Has real business experience and expertise to share and has the time to do so. Can dedicate 15-20 hours/month to working with SCORE clients.
- Comfortable with email and willing to use their SCORE.org e-mail when conducting SCORE business.
- Not afraid to learn and use new software and applications.
- May be retired from a full-time career or working part-time or full-time in the business world
- Good listener, kind, patient and empathetic.
- Interested in lifelong learning and keeping business skills “sharp”.
- Intellectually engaged, active and self-motivated.
I think I’m interested.
What are my next steps in becoming a SCORE mentor?
Learn more about volunteer onboarding and training. When you're ready, begin the mentor application process below.
Enter your zip code in the field below and submit your application today.
