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.”

“Being an entrepreneur can sometimes be a super lonely place.”

Today, Baking Coach is a thriving business offering baking and cake decorating classes and innovative baking kits, but that wasn’t always the case. When owner Lisa Basini felt alone in her entrepreneurial pursuit, she turned to SCORE.

“I have had several SCORE mentors depending upon what exactly I am looking to do with my organization. Their encouragement and expert advice has been essential in the success and growth of my business.”

Today, that success looks like this:

- Winning a SCORE pitch competition
- Scaling her operations
- Expanding her product line
- Growing her workforce

AND... celebrating 20 YEARS in business!

Join us in congratulating Lisa and her team on reaching this incredible milestone. 🥳

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

👻 Last minute costume has hit the shelves!!!

This Halloween, the SCORE Mentor Costume comes fully equipped with decades of experience, a passion for helping entrepreneurs, and plenty of success stories to share.

🎃 Costume: $54.99 | Mentorship: FREE

📚 Low-cost business learning opportunities await!

Join a SCORE Northwest Connecticut webinar or workshop this week and 🚀

✨Full Circle Moment ✨

"When I launched my business 13 years ago, SCORE was a game-changer—helping me learn how to build, scale, and run a business.

So it was an incredible honor to deliver the opening keynote at [my local] SCORE Mentors Accelerate Your Business Conference.

We explored how to build the resilience needed to navigate tough times, change, and uncertainty.

I left inspired by the passion, grit, and brilliance of the women in that room.

Thank you, SCORE, for the work you do to support entrepreneurs—and for giving me the chance to give back to a community that supported me from the start."

- Darcy Luoma, CEO of Darcy Luoma Coaching & Consulting

FINAL CALL! "Sell Like A Pro" registration closes soon! 🚨

This is your last chance to learn sales strategies that actually work from someone who's built multiple successful businesses!

I don't want you to miss out on this opportunity to completely transform how you approach selling. Antwaine Debnam's methods aren't about being pushy or manipulative - they're about building real relationships and helping customers make good decisions.

Whether you:

Sell products online or at markets
Run a service business in your community
Want to grow your existing customer base
Just want to feel more confident in sales situations

These strategies will work for you because they're based on genuine human connection, not gimmicky sales tricks.

What makes this different:
~ Real-world experience from successful entrepreneurial ventures
~ Focus on building trust and authentic relationships
~ Practical strategies you can use immediately
~ Mental tools to stay motivated and confident

It's free, includes dinner, and happens right here in Norfolk at The Norfolk Hub!
October 29th, 5:30-8:30 PM

Register RIGHT NOW: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-business-seminar-sell-like-a-pro-tickets-1645072047779

Questions: [email protected] | Startup help: www.calendly.com/nwcc

Thank you Eversource CT and NBT Bank ! Also Norfolk Hub CT , SCORE Mentors , and Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce !

"Working with David [my SCORE mentor] has shown me I have the ability to rewrite my whole life, not just a business plan, but my whole future...I'm living the dreams I used to pray about, back in the day when I was on the street."

Homeless, substance dependent and eventually incarcerated-- John Peyton Schmidt used entrepreneurship to turn his life around.

During his incarceration, Schmidt embarked on an academic journey and through that process came up with the idea of launching his own business. Schmidt was introduced to community resources that could help by Arkansas Rehab Services. Communities Unlimited and SCORE mentor David Brunton partnered to devise a plan for Schmidt to obtain a Small Business Administration loan from CU’s Lending Team to develop his business, Wholly Schmidt.

Today, Wholly Schmidt is a mobile food concession stand focused on providing people with high-quality meals and a safe and sober atmosphere at large events. The meals are organic and locally sourced reflecting Schmidt’s passion for fresh produce and meats. Not only does he grow vegetables himself, but he is also able to share seeds with local farmers to help cultivate his community's local produce-- a long-held aspiration of his.

"My story is one of addiction and recovery, rekindling dreams I had set to the side. Today I stand a proud father and business owner. I was only able to get to this point through dedication, hard work, taking suggestions and doing what I could to change my life. In taking those steps, I found SCORE."

✨ Celebrating Women’s Small Business Month! ✨

If you’re a woman entrepreneur (or want to support one), this is for you!

SCORE’s Women Entrepreneurs Resource Hub is full of inspiration, guidance, and actionable support to help women-owned businesses thrive.

🔍 What you’ll find there:

- Mentoring and networking opportunities
- Business planning templates & guides
- Stories from successful women business owners
- Tips on funding, growth, and leadership

Let’s shine a spotlight on women leaders building tomorrow’s businesses in our community! 💼💡

Link in the comments to check it out and share with someone who could use the boost!

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!