Southwest Michigan SCORE mentors are just a click away. Click Request A Mentor on this page and get started! Whether you are faced with logistics issues, need financing, or have staffing problems, your mentor has faced the challenge. To get started, let us know a bit about your issue, and we'll pair you up with a mentor with the right experience to guide you.
About Us
Experience and passion define our team. We have served Southwestern Michigan since 1975, plus we have a branch in Benton Harbor. There is a mentor waiting to speak with you.
Request a Mentor
Don't have the time to browse mentor profiles? — Fill out the mentoring request form, and we will pair you with a mentor and assist you in setting up a free mentoring appointment.
Success Stories
SCORE Kalamazoo/SW Michigan has helped thousands of business founders fulfill their dreams to start, build & grow thriving businesses. See what our clients have to say!
THE NEXT SUCCESS COULD BE YOURS!
In 2020, SCORE Kalamazoo/SW Michigan mentors helped start 91 new businesses, create 261 new jobs and provided 2,661 chapter services including mentoring sessions provided and workshop attendees.
MENTORING WORKS!
Small business owners who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased growth. Get started on your small business journey, and find your mentor today!
Frequently Asked Questions
SCORE mentoring is a free service offered to any citizen or permanent resident that owns or wants to start a business. Partnering with you one-on-one, SCORE mentors support your success through offering experienced advice, consulting on best practices, and educating on small business topics.
SCORE mentors bring years of business experience, many of them successful small business owners themselves. Mentors volunteer through SCORE to help other entrepreneurs like you, by sharing their real-world experience and bona fide knowledge in running successful small businesses. SCORE mentors also provide practical tools and resources to make some owner tasks easier.
SCORE mentors will not make decisions for you or complete important ownership tasks on your behalf. They also cannot provide tax or legal advice. However, SCORE mentors can provide clear guidance on what your options are so you can confidently make decisions and take positive action toward your own success.
SCORE mentoring sessions are collaborative meetings between the small business owner and the SCORE mentor. During these sessions, you can share your business goals, progress, challenges and questions. SCORE mentors will offer advice, resources, and insights so you gain clarity on your next best steps.
SCORE mentoring sessions are typically scheduled for an hour and held virtually, through online meetings, phone calls, and even through email exchanges. While mentoring sessions have goals and objectives, the partnership is informal and informational with your assigned mentor.
A SCORE mentoring relationship lasts as long as you need it. That can mean it is a few meaningful sessions to achieve a specific goal or overcome a particular challenge. Or, it can be a SCORE mentoring relationship lasts for years, when you always have a trusted advisor for the life of your small business.
Get Started On Your Business Success Journey Today!
Our Mentors
Accounting & Cash Flow
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Non-Profit
With 36 years of commercial lending experience, I can help clients understand their initial and ongoing cash... Read More >
Other
I have spent basically my whole career working retail/restaurant management. I have learned great deal of what not to... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Operations
I have been a CPA for 28 years and the last 18 years as a single member LLC in St Joseph. Our practice specialized in... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Customer Relations
Human Resources
Operations
Strategy & Planning
Mentoring on business operations, leadership, and organizational health.
Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Non-Profit
Operations
Other
Technology
With over 6 years of consulting small businesses, attorneys, startups, nonprofits, and organizations in the areas of... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Human Resources
Operations
Product Development & Manufacturing
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Operations
Technology
Debi Howe; Certified SCORE Mentor and Branch Chair for SW Michigan/Kalamazoo; upon completing her undergrad in computer... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Government Regulations & Contracting
Non-Profit
Operations
Technology
I can help your business improve its business plan, marketing plan, decision making, forecasting, and financial... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Buying or Selling a Business
Customer Relations
Franchising
Government Regulations & Contracting
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Operations
I have experience in writing business plans, utilizing 401k funds to capitalize a business, marketing, customer service... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Customer Relations
Human Resources
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Strategy & Planning
Government Regulations & Contracting
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Operations
Accounting & Cash Flow
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Operations
Working Career: Retail Banking, particularly in Consumer, Commercial and Mortgage Lending. Previous Employers:... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Operations
Product Development & Manufacturing
My background is from 30+ years in manufacturing businesses. I have the following areas to offer assistance;... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Other
Product Development & Manufacturing
Areas where I can be of assistance: Design and help implement strategic plans Identify and leverage the talents of... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Customer Relations
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Operations
Strategy & Planning
To help budding entrepreneurs, as well as current business owners, find ways to help their businesses succeed by... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Government Regulations & Contracting
Human Resources
Operations
Diverse leadership experience in multiple industries specializing in the development and operationalization of... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Government Regulations & Contracting
Product Development & Manufacturing
I can help improve business results in purchasing, supply chain management and manufacturing. I can also assist in... Read More >
Human Resources
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Non-Profit
Operations
Strategy & Planning
Technology
I like to take a big picture approach to help businesses with operations, marketing, and public relations. From there,... Read More >
Customer Relations
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
I am a 30-year veteran of the marketing and communications community.
My contribution to SCORE lies in my experiences... Read More >
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Accounting & Cash Flow
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Non-Profit
Product Development & Manufacturing
Over 40 years experience in Finance and Accounting both for profit and non profit companies.
Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Government Regulations & Contracting
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Non-Profit
Operations
* Planned, organized and established company to import from Italy and market natural biological products in the US for... Read More >