SCORE Western North Carolina

There are over 25 million small businesses in America representing 99% of all employers nationally, and more than half of the private workforce. Small business drives the local and national economy and is vital to our community. SCORE exists to offer these small business counseling and to help them succeed.

SCORE is a respected association of volunteer business executives providing professional guidance and information to entrepreneurs and small business owners through a national network of chapters, strategic alliances, and a partnership with the Small Business Administration (SBA). SCORE was created in 1964 as a non-profit organization, partly funded by the SBA, that works separately with them and other governmental agencies and educational institutions to strengthen local and national economies by promoting the success of small businesses.

SCORE has over 400 chapters and 11,500 volunteers throughout the United States. These professional volunteers provide confidential business advice on a personal basis at NO COST to the client

SCORE Western North Carolina, provides services to the counties of Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Jackson, Macon, Clay and Cherokee, through counseling, mentoring and workshops. There are branch offices located in Hendersonville, Brevard, Rutherfordton, and Franklin North Carolina.

If you own a small business, or are thinking of starting one, SCORE Western North Carolina can provide guidance with your start up, your business planning, and your technical, marketing, financial or operating issues though NO COST counseling. Information shared with a SCORE counselor is held in strict confidence.

Branch offices:

Hendersonville SCORE

The Hendersonville office is the home office of SCORE - Western North Carolina.

SCORE counselors are available in Hendersonville, by appointment, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at our office. The office is located at Suite 108 in the old Federal Building. 140 4th Avenue West in Hendersonville, NC. Counselors can also be available at other times by special arrangement. Please call 828-693-8702 for an appointment, and bring a completed application for counseling (form 641) found on this web site, along when you come for your appointment.

Counseling covers business issues such as planning, business plan development, legal organization, financing, accounting, marketing, management development, human resource issues and any other topics you may need assistance with.

Brevard SCORE

The Brevard SCORE office counsels Tuesdays and Thursdays each week at the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce, located at 35 West Main Street, Brevard. Counseling is by appointment only and can be arranged by calling anytime, to 828-883-3325. We check messages several times each day, and will be pleased to call you back to schedule a confidential appointment.

The Brevard Counseling team offers clients a broad professional management background experience. Whether your need is a start up situation or efficiency improvement challenge of an existing business, we can assist your needs.

Recently, Brevard SCORE counselors have assisted over 120 clients in start up or mentoring sessions. We encourage long term mentoring relationships to stay on top of your business challenges. Some of the business activities we have been involved with are:

• Franchise businesses in retail and service activities.
• Restaurants
• Patented inventions
• Building construction companies
• Market research consultants
• Tourist-related specialized tours and similar services
• Property Appraisers
• Healthcare and Health Management
• Pet Grooming
• Bed-and-Breakfast Projects
• Childcare centers
• Route Delivery Distributors
• Car Wash Facilities
• Retail Specialty Stores
• Hospital and Medical Equipment Services.
  

Rutherford SCORE

The SCORE Office in Rutherfordton is in the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce building at 162 North Main St. Rutherfordton, NC 28139. Counseling can be arranged by calling 828.287-3090. A Score Counselor will arrange a counseling session with you at a mutually convenient time.

The Rutherfordton Score Counselors have expertise in many areas of business start-up and operation To take advantage of our expertise to assist your start up or to increase profitability in your existing business, call our Rutherfordton Score Office and arrange an appointment.

Franklin SCORE

The newest SCORE branch location is in Franklin North Carolina. This office brings badly needed business start-up and growth assistance to small businesses in the far Western counties of our state. The counseling team includes a complete range of business backgrounds and is ready to offer professional, no cost, counseling to all types of businesses. Call the Franklin Chamber of Commerce office at (828) 524-3161 to arrange an appointment.