Starting a Small Business in Oakland County

Appendix 3: Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a non-profit association of volunteers who are ready and willing to share their expertise with anyone interested in starting a small business or has an existing business that may have problems.

As the Michigan arm of a National organization, SCORE operates under the sponsorship of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The counseling service is free and clients may ask for assistance in special areas like exporting, finance, marketing, etc. Clients may also ask for a general counseling session covering a wide range of subjects to acquaint them with certain fundamentals to consider when starting or operating a small business.

Who are SCORE volunteers?

They are men and women who have had successful business careers as company owners or executives, and are willing to share their knowledge, experience and insights at no charge. With a broad variety of backgrounds, SCORE volunteers can provide both general and specific counseling to fit the needs of individuals.

Each SCORE volunteer is registered in the main office by his or her background and experience which may include:

• Accounting
• Computer Sciences
• Construction
• Export/Import
• Finance
• Graphics/Printing
• Health Care
• Industrial Relations
• Manufacturing
• Marketing
• Real Estate
• Restaurants/Food Service
• Retail
• Sales/Training

What SCORE offers?

SCORE offers individual counseling sessions to cover basics or certain specific business needs. It also offers regular monthly workshops or all day seminars. Here is a listing of workshops and seminars:

• Pre-Business Seminar
• Export Workshop
• Loan Workshop
• Business Plan Workshop
• Marketing Plan Workshop

To take advantage of the SCORE expertise, call the main office to inquire about registering for seminars or any of the monthly workshops.

You can also call to apply for any type of counseling session or to request the Resource Directory of Small Business Management Publications at 313-226-7947 or 313-226-7953.

If you want to visit a SCORE volunteer, stop by any of the following locations:

Lawrence Technological University
Buell Building, Room 337
21000 West 10 Mile Road
Southfield, Michigan, USA, 48075-1058
248-356-0200, Ext. 3053

Livonia Chamber of Commerce
15401 Farmington Road
Livonia, Michigan, USA, 48154
313-427-2122

Warren Chamber of Commerce
30500 Van Dyke
Warren, Michigan, USA, 48093
810-751-3939

Troy Chamber of Commerce
4555 Corporate Drive, Number 300
Troy, Michigan, USA, 49098
248-641-8151

Rochester Chamber of Commerce
71 Walnut Street, Number 110
Rochester, Michigan, USA, 48063
248-651-6700

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
124 West Maple
Birmingham, Michigan, USA, 48009
248-644-1700

Ferndale Adult & Community Education
22111 North Woodward
Ferndale, Michigan, USA, 48220
248-546-6832

Madison Heights Chamber of Commerce
26385 John R
Madison Heights, Michigan, USA, 48071
248-542-5010

Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce
600 West Lafayette Boulevard
P.O. Box 33840
Detroit, Michigan, USA, 48232-0840
313-964-4000