We're here to help you succeed.
SCORE ECI offers the largest network of volunteer business mentors providing free answers to your business questions. Browse mentor profiles to find your ideal expert or ask a question and let us pair you with the right expert. We’re here to help you succeed.
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 East Central Iowa has helped thousands of business founders fulfill their dreams to start, build & grow thriving businesses. See what our clients have to say!
Our Mentors
Accounting & Cash Flow
Financing / Capital
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Operations
Product Development & Manufacturing
Having started and run 3 businesses I have experienced all aspects of starting managing a business from the ground up... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Government Regulations & Contracting
Legal Issues
Operations
Other
Product Development & Manufacturing
Technology
Accounting & Cash Flow
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Financing / Capital
Human Resources
By sharing the lessons learned during my career. I worked for a number of smaller businesses where I started with a... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Non-Profit
Operations
Strategy & Planning
Owned and operated radio stations in the Cedar Rapids market
Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Financing / Capital
My background is in business lending... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Government Regulations & Contracting
Operations
Product Development & Manufacturing
Strategy & Planning
I can help businesses define and refine new ventures and opportunities, help businesses continually enhance operational... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Buying or Selling a Business
Government Regulations & Contracting
Legal Issues
Operations
Technology
I have 30 years experience working at all different levels of my family business. From cleaning the crap, to doing the... Read More >
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Currently General Manager and SVP of KZIA. Previously Director of Sales and Senior Sales Person. Experience in food... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Strategy & Planning
I am a retired SBA loan specialist. While at SBA, I processed and liquidated SBA guaranteed loans. I owned and operated... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Strategy & Planning
Technology
Accounting & Cash Flow
Operations
Other
Tax Planning
Worked for a public accounting firm for 42 years as a CPA, mostly in the taxation area.
Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Government Regulations & Contracting
Human Resources
Legal Issues
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Operations
Other
Strategy & Planning
I can help guide your research and planning for your business dream. My experience and expertise are in leadership,... Read More >
Human Resources
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Operations
Strategy & Planning
Technology
How I can help you is to pass along all that Ive learned over the years working at the worlds largest internet leader... Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Customer Relations
International Trade
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Strategy & Planning
Much of my career was in part tied to Agriculture. While with J.G. Boswell Company and Joseph Walker Company I... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Financing / Capital
Non-Profit
Operations
Other
Strategy & Planning
Technology
Having sered as CFO and Secretary to the Board of Directors for 10 years with a small software compny that we... Read More >
Government Regulations & Contracting
Human Resources
Operations
Product Development & Manufacturing
Strategy & Planning
My main way to help you is through operations, efficiency, quality control, and financial measures. 21+ years Navy -... Read More >
Operations
Extensive work history in real estate industry, metro Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Career span of 29 years included... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Human Resources
Legal Issues
Operations
Other
Strategy & Planning
I can help you start and grow a business, assist in financially analyzing the business and business planning
Read More >
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Financing / Capital
International Trade
Legal Issues
Operations
Product Development & Manufacturing
Strategy & Planning
Functional work experience in production, distribution, and supply chain management; international sales; corporate... Read More >
Human Resources
Non-Profit
Strategy & Planning
Human Resources -- Staffing, Training, Compensation; Conflict resolution especially involving ADR/Mediation;... Read More >
Marketing, Public Relations & Sales
Technology
I can help clients understand the basics of what they need to know about having a web presence for their new or... Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Strategy & Planning
Commercial Lender for 20 years. SCORE mentor since 2008. Worked with wide variety of small businesses to help identify... Read More >
Buying or Selling a Business
Operations
Strategy & Planning
Frugal entrepreneur with over 48 years of business experience starting as a paperboy at age 14.
Read More >
Accounting & Cash Flow
Business Plans / Startup Assistance
Non-Profit
Tax Planning
I owned my own CPA practice for thirteen years and then had the experience of merging my practice into a large regional... Read More >
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.