SCORE Mentors

“Financial decisions should be inclusive and collaborative.”

When Pamela Chen launched Refresh Investments, she brought deep expertise to the table as both a CPA and CFA. But like many entrepreneurs, she quickly discovered that building a business requires more than mastering your craft.

As she worked to grow her financial planning and investment firm, Pam turned to SCORE mentor Bill Ehrlich for guidance on scaling sustainably. Together, they developed a plan focused on team building, marketing, and operational efficiency.

The results were transformative. Pam launched a new website, created an Advisory Board, hosted educational webinars, and streamlined her operations, allowing her to focus on serving clients while growing the business.

What truly sets Refresh Investments apart is its approach. In an industry that can often feel intimidating, Pam has built a firm where clients are encouraged to ask questions, understand their options, and actively participate in the decision-making process.

By combining expert guidance with a collaborative philosophy, Refresh Investments is helping make financial planning more accessible for women and their families.

HAPPENING TODAY! See you soon. 😎

Owners: Explore how can help prepare your products for retail, distribution and future needs. Don’t miss our 6/4 webinar with Andrew Morehead of GS1 US and SCORE Mentors. https://bit.ly/4dnwHU5

SCORE mentor Ke'Ira Lewis knows that some of the most rewarding parts of mentorship go beyond business advice.

Through SCORE, she has built meaningful relationships with entrepreneurs, supporting them as they grow their businesses and pursue their goals. What may start as a mentoring conversation can grow into a lasting connection rooted in trust, encouragement, and shared success.

Those relationships are what make mentorship so special.

If you're ready to share your expertise and build connections that make a difference, consider volunteering with SCORE. 💙

Productivity Tips for First-time Business Owners https://bit.ly/3PObFVy

A small business owner and their mentor 💁‍♀️

Your matter when selling products in stores or online. Master business basics. Join Andrew Morehead of GS1 US and SCORE Mentors on 6/4. https://bit.ly/4dnwHU5

JUNE WEBINAR SCHEDULE — Swipe through to learn more about this month’s sessions. 👉

6/4 - Business Barcode Basics: Meet Requirements, Manage Products and Sell in More Places
6/9 - Advanced SEO Strategies to Drive Traffic, Leads and Sales
6/16 - Small Business Content Marketing – Planning and Creating Engaging Content
6/18 - Retirement Planning Basics for Small Business Owners
6/23 - NotebookLM for Business: Your AI-Powered Research Partner
6/30 - Win Customers, Build Loyalty and Increase Sales With Emotional Intelligence

We hope you enjoy this month’s line up and look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!

Pin it to the SCOREboard 📌

What’s something that’s been challenging you lately?

We'll use the comment section as a sounding board to offer resources and support.

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Have something YOU want to ask other entrepreneurs? DM us to submit your prompts. 📩

“One thing I’ve really realized is how important guidance and mentorship are when growing a business.”

Like many entrepreneurs, Austin Gerling didn't grow up around business owners or people teaching financial strategy. Much of the journey was learned through experience, mistakes, and figuring things out along the way.

That’s why SCORE mentorship made such a difference.

“It’s helping me accomplish goals, structure things properly, and just giving me someone I feel comfortable discussing business with.”

As businesses grow, so do the decisions. Having someone to share lessons, offer perspective, and help navigate the next level can make all the difference.

“I really believe there’s enough opportunity out there for everyone, and that we all grow faster when people are willing to help each other learn.”

Learning never stops when you’re building your dream! 🌟

Join SCORE mentors and small business experts for low-cost webinars and local events designed to help entrepreneurs like you succeed.

“Finally got to meet my advisor in person. This free program has been a game-changer. I can’t recommend it enough for fellow entrepreneurs.” - SCORE Client Maggie Benson

We ❤️ hearing feedback like this! At SCORE, our mentors are here to guide you every step of the way—whether it’s your first meeting or your 50th.

Best part? It’s completely free.

Ready to level up your business? 🔗 Link in comments to connect with a SCORE mentor today!

“It’s not about finding yourself. It’s about shedding what is holding you back.”

Fermented Felon Founder Tony Horner was no stranger to the word no.

- Denied employment from a call center for his criminal history.
- Denied an SBA loan from a bank because of his criminal history.
- Denied admission to professional investment classes because of his criminal history.
- Denied access to trade school because of his criminal history.
- Denied admission to college programs because of his criminal history.

From incarceration to innovation, kombucha was Tony’s big YES.

Fermented Felon combines the restorative powers of kombucha with Tony’s belief in fresh starts. Consumers can sip on handcrafted flavors like Profound Peach and Raspberry Respect while supporting their mission to uplift lives impacted by the justice system.

Tony may have developed a winning kombucha recipe but when he needed business support, he turned to SCORE.

“My SCORE mentor was phenomenal. He had the formula for success.”

💡 Ready to take your business to the next level? SCORE offers free live webinars and local workshops to help you start, grow, and thrive.

📌 Hurry, Berks Schuylkill entrepreneurs! Register now for our webinar!
Are you posting on Instagram but not seeing results?

In this webinar, Instagram expert Sue B. Zimmerman will show you how to build and grow an engaged Instagram community.

Get Clients on Instagram - How to Build a Community That Buys
Date & Time: September 30, 2025, 1:00pm EDT
Live event (online)
Cost: $0.00
Duration: 1 Hour
Language: English
Register now ↓

Get Clients on Instagram - How to Build a Community That Buys Learn how to use Instagram comments, posts, and DMs to connect with clients, earn their trust, and turn conversations into sales.

Inspired by her stepson with autism, Wendy Dawson co-founded Incuentro LLC with Brandi Timmons, MEd, BCBA, LBA, to support neurodiverse individuals through technology and human-centered design.

With guidance from SCORE, Wendy and Brandi refined their strategy, strengthened operations and secured a grant to increase their impact.

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? SCORE offers a wealth of valuable resources to help you succeed and our experienced mentors are here to guide you every step of the way. ➡https://score.org/berksschuylkill

📷: SCORE client Wendy Dawson, CEO of Incuentro LLC

✏️ Register today, Berks Schuylkill entrepreneurs! Our workshop is filling up fast—don’t wait!
The holiday season is the biggest sales opportunity of the year, but without a plan, it can quickly become overwhelming.

In this webinar, our expert presenter will show you how to create a simple holiday marketing plan that saves time and drives results.

Holiday Marketing Strategies to Sleigh the Year’s Biggest Sales Opportunity
Date & Time: September 25, 2025, 1:00pm EDT
Cost: $15.00
Duration: 90 Minutes
Language: English
Live event (online)

Holiday Marketing Strategies to Sleigh the Year’s Biggest Sales Opportunity Learn simple holiday marketing strategies to connect with customers, boost sales and make the most of the year’s biggest shopping season.

Happy Sunday! We have a thought starter for you.

What’s the biggest myth about starting your own business?

Let's debunk in the comments below.

Jonathan and Rosie Hernandez’s love of food and family inspired them to open Falafel Taco, a fusion of Mexican and Israeli cuisine. What started as cooking for their blended families of vegans and meat eaters grew into a take-out restaurant, featuring made-to-order falafels, homemade tahini, latkes with fresh guacamole and Mexican matzoh ball soup.

To bring their vision to life, Rosie worked with SCORE mentors. Through weekly guidance, they received help with licensing, financial planning, real estate, marketing strategy, menu design and staffing—giving Jonathan and Rosie the confidence to launch successfully.

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? SCORE offers a wealth of valuable resources to help you succeed and our experienced mentors are here to guide you every step of the way. ➡ https://score.org/berksschuylkill

📷: SCORE clients Jonathan and Rosie Hernandez, owners of Falafel Taco

Susana Matos-Kruck’s passion for education and commitment to multilingual learners inspired her to create Up The Bar. After years in the classroom and in school leadership, she launched a professional development company that partners with districts nationwide to provide training, coaching and implementation support. She helps educators raise the bar for students in more than 30 districts.

When Susana needed expert guidance in business operations, financial planning and growth, she turned to SCORE. With support from mentors, workshops and training, she gained the knowledge and confidence to transform her vision into a thriving company with lasting impact.

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? SCORE offers a wealth of valuable resources to help you succeed and our experienced mentors are here to guide you every step of the way. ➡ https://score.org/berksschuylkill

📷: SCORE client Susana Matos-Kruck, founder of Up The Bar