SCORE can help small businesses play part in Northern Michigan's economy

In Northern Michigan, small businesses are essential to our economic vitality as well as our overall sense of community.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small businesses employ almost half of the American workforce, approximately 62 million people, and drive over 40% of our nation’s GDP. In addition, small businesses are a key source of innovation, applying for a substantial portion of patents each year. They provide sponsorship for activities that many families enjoy each year, from sports leagues and other activities, especially for our youth, to seasonal festivals, parades, the arts and often local fireworks celebrations during the Fourth of July.

When you choose to buy from a small, locally owned business, a sizeable portion of your money stays within the community, available to be re-invested in other businesses, creating yet more economic activity, especially jobs.

Among the resources available to help inspire and provide guidance to small businesses, from inception as well as all other stages of their development is SCORE.org. Founded in 1964, “under the wing” of the Small Business Administration, (SBA), SCORE is a nationwide group of volunteer business mentors, over 10,000 strong, serving over 1,500 communities. Our mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. Our education program includes workshops and webinars, both “live” as well as recorded, on a variety of different topics, including how and why to prepare a business plan, and considerations in determining the optimal legal structure for a new business. All our services are at no cost, and our mentoring sessions are confidential.

In our part of Northern Michigan, serving the northern Lower Peninsula and eastern Upper Peninsula, the “Tip of the Mitt” Chapter, consisting of 11 mentors and 3 subject matter experts, has connected with over 80 businesses in the past year, conducting over 100 mentoring sessions and providing over 200 connections to Webinars. We have collaborated with clients who have been in business up to 20 years or so, as well as people who are in the ideation phase of starting a new business.

Our mentors draw from an extensive base of experience and skills to assist our clients. When needed, we can also introduce clients to other mentors across Michigan and the entire country. To provide further support to our clients’ unique needs, we also partner with many other organizations, bringing them into the dialogue as needed.

If you or someone you know are a small business owner, are thinking about becoming one, or would like to discuss joining us as a volunteer mentor, please contact us via our website at SCORE.org/tipofthemitt

Robert Denten volunteers as a mentor for small businesses with SCORE's Tip of the Mitt chapter.