Home Business Resources: Young Entrepreneurs Benefit From Mentoring, Resources

For those of you who are starting a new company or testing the waters in the world of entrepreneurship, it’s sometimes hard to know what to do and where to go for help. Young entrepreneurs, in particular, can benefit from the advise and experience of seasoned professionals. With this in mind, SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” has developed a new section specifically for young entrepreneurs at the SCORE Web site, www.score.org. The new content area offers valuable mentoring and resources to help high school, college-age and 20-something small business owners succeed.

Visitors to www.score.org/young.html will find the following resources:
Insights for Young Entrepreneurs features key articles on:

• Entrepreneurship as a career choice; Web site design; university assistance; and how to start smart.
• Resources for Young Entrepreneurs lists more than 35 organizations, groups and Web sites that offer news, strategies and assistance.
• Competitions for Young Entrepreneurs features eight awards that help encourage and recognize business success.
• Stats on Young Entrepreneurs provides the latest research and facts on Generation X and Generation Y entrepreneurship.
• How SCORE Can Help You highlights SCORE’s free online and face-to-face counseling, low-cost workshops and free eNewsletters.

Here are some ways entrepreneurs have benefitted from these services:

• Since her college days, Celina Duffy has run her own painting, graphic design and greeting card business called Tagline Communications. For help growing her business, she received advice and mentoring on building a portfolio, business planning, marketing and accounting.
• University of Oregon student Scott Jones couldn’t afford a fleece jacket, so he learned to make one himself. Encouraged by friends, he turned this into a successful and growing business, Beyond Fleece. Willamette SCORE counselors helped him with his business plan, financing, bookkeeping and marketing. 
• After graduating from his hometown university, Ryan German decided to open a restaurant that focuses on Mediterranean food and homemade Italian ice cream. Before starting his business, SCORE counselors helped him fine-tune his business plan, find a location, obtain a bank loan and design a logo.