- April 24, 2024
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SCORE, which counsels small businesses, has been established in Flagler County for about 45 years.
With six months remaining on their lease at the Winn-Dixie shopping center on Palm Coast Parkway, owners of fruit boutique Edible Arrangements, Ivone and Chris Mazurek, sought the help and experience of small-business counseling organization SCORE.
A free and confidential business advisory service, SCORE has been in Flagler County since 1965. The local chapter is run by about 40 mostly retired volunteers.
“What we’re trying to do is give you our experience,” said Ray Smith, SCORE counselor and former board treasurer. “You don’t have to make the same mistakes we made, and you can be more successful.”
According to Smith, the failure rate of small businesses nationwide is about 50% within three years. Companies that utilize SCORE are much more successful, according to studies conducted by the Small Business Administration.
“It’s about helping the community we live in after we retire,” Smith said. “The desire is to give back.”
The first step in SCORE is the initial “scope” meeting to analyze a company’s plans and the resources needed.
“Our first meeting with the counselor went well,” Ivone Mazurek said. “He reviewed our existing lease and the information we obtained about rents in Palm Coast, went over the pros and cons of staying in our current location versus moving to a new one, the financials, lease longevity and other factors. And then (he) prepared a proposal.”
SCORE can call on assistance from any of its 13,000 members nationwide, in 364 different chapters. In this case, counselor Roger Leverton, also branch manager of the Flagler chapter, was equipped to navigate the terrain.
“They hadn’t done (lease negotiations) before,” Smith said. “Our counselor had.”
Soon, Edible Arrangements, an active Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates member, felt comfortable signing a revamped extension contract.
“This is about a win-win situation,” Smith said. “It could have been a lose-lose.”
SCORE also assists with business proposals and plan feasibility. Leverton was backed by SCORE to serve as project manager for all five Economic Summit committees recently. They’re assisting in Palm Coast’s Business Assistance Center, as well, which was scheduled to open June 10.
Their counselors include specialists in accounting, administration, advertising, financial planning, manufacturing, marketing, restaurants, sales and others.
SCORE’s next free public workshop, “How to Start Your Own Business,” will be held June 30, at the Daytona International Airport. Registration is required, and can be conducted online, or by emailing [email protected].
For more, or to schedule an appointment, call 255-6889, or visit www.score87.org.
