SCORE Opens Small Business Counseling Office in Florence

After several months of preparation, recruiting and training Florence-area business counselors, the SCORE Association – Counselors to America’s Small Business – recently opened its Florence Branch office.

SCORE provides small business counseling and mentoring services to budding entrepreneurs and established business owners and managers seeking solutions to planning, operational, marketing/sales, management, or financial-related problems. With the opening of the Florence branch, SCORE now offers counseling in 18 South Carolina communities.

SCORE volunteer counselors are successful, usually retired, business owners, executives, professionals or managers who offer their real world expertise to help others succeed in business.

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and Francis Marion University joined together to provide SCORE with the necessary services and facilities to support its business counseling program. The chamber will promote the availability of SCORE services and schedule individual SCORE counseling sessions with those seeking confidential business assistance. The actual counseling will be at the new SCORE counseling office located at Francis Marion University’s School of Business.

Ms. Gerry Madison, the chamber’s Director of Small & Minority Business, stated: “We are thrilled to welcome SCORE to the greater Florence area where small business is the heart of our economy.” Dr. Barry O’Brien, Dean of FMU’s School of Business noted that “SCORE brings real-world perspective and insight to the challenges of starting, running, and growing a successful small business; we welcome their help in fostering a strong small business sector in the Pee Dee.”

To schedule an appointment to meet with a Florence-area SCORE counselor, contact the chamber (843/665-0515, email: staylor@florencescchamber.com).

Also, any full or semi-retired business person or educator interested in learning more about becoming a SCORE small business counselor can contact Ms. Gerry Madison as noted above.