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.
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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 & Finance
Funding/Loans
Tax Planning
I recently lost my husband and have time to fill.
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Accounting & Finance
Business Plan
Customer Service
Franchising
Management & Operations
Marketing
Strategy Development
Technology
When I was growing my businesses for over 28 years I actually attended SCORE seminars and had a SCORE mentor to receive... Read More >
Accounting & Finance
Funding/Loans
Management & Operations
My wife and I have recently relocated to Cedar Rapids from the UK, where I had lived for 18 years. I am eager to make a... Read More >
Accounting & Finance
Management & Operations
Marketing
Sales
Having started and run 3 businesses I have experienced all aspects of starting and managing a business from the ground... Read More >
Legal
Time for me to find some new volunteer/charitable causes - I recall my pal, Frank Torrens, used to participate in SCORE... Read More >
Business Plan
Customer Service
Management & Operations
Technology
I have been a business owner for 25 years. Started 3 businesses and have a key partner in other start ups. Have been... Read More >
Business Plan
Government Regulations
Legal
Management & Operations
Product Development
Technology
Accounting & Finance
Business Plan
Funding/Loans
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 >
Marketing
Currently General Manager and SVP of KZIA. Previously Director of Sales and Senior Sales Person. Experience in food... Read More >
Accounting & Finance
Marketing
Strategy Development
I am a retired SBA loan specialist. While at SBA, I processed and liquidated SBA guaranteed loans. I owned and operated... Read More >
Accounting & Finance
Management & Operations
Tax Planning
Worked for a public accounting firm for 42 years as a CPA, mostly in the taxation area.
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Accounting & Finance
Government Regulations
Human Resources
Legal
Management & Operations
Marketing
Strategy Development
I can help guide your research and planning for your business dream. My experience and expertise are in leadership,... Read More >
Human Resources
Management & Operations
Marketing
Strategy Development
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 >
Accounting & Finance
Business Plan
Funding/Loans
Management & Operations
Strategy Development
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
Human Resources
Management & Operations
Product Development
Strategy Development
My main way to help you is through operations, efficiency, quality control, and financial measures. 21+ years Navy -... Read More >
Management & Operations
Strategy Development
Grocery Retail 22 years Financial Services 18 years
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Accounting & Finance
Human Resources
Legal
Management & Operations
Strategy Development
I can help you start and grow a business, assist in financially analyzing the business and business planning
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Business Plan
Funding/Loans
Import & Export
Legal
Management & Operations
Product Development
Strategy Development
Functional work experience in production, distribution, and supply chain management; international sales; corporate... Read More >
Human Resources
Management & Operations
Strategy Development
Human Resources -- Staffing, Training, Compensation; Conflict resolution especially involving ADR/Mediation;... Read More >
Marketing
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 & Finance
Strategy Development
Commercial Lender for 20 years. SCORE mentor since 2008. Worked with wide variety of small businesses to help identify... Read More >
Management & Operations
Strategy Development
Frugal entrepreneur with over 48 years of business experience starting as a paperboy at age 14.
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Accounting & Finance
Business Plan
Management & Operations
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.