SCORE Orange County

10/08/2026

Motherhood changed Madhu’s life. It also sparked the idea that would change her career.

After earning her master’s degree in electrical engineering and working in the semiconductor industry, Madhu found herself searching for a diaper bag that balanced two things: the practicality she needed as a mom and the style she wanted. When she couldn’t find it, she decided to create it herself.

That idea became Pretty Pokets, a line of stylish, practical bags designed to make life easier for women on the go.

But turning a great product idea into a growing business takes more than creativity. Madhu needed guidance on everything from e-commerce and supply chains to protecting her ideas.

She found that support through SCORE. Since her first counseling session in 2016, Madhu has met with mentors more than 50 times, tapping into their expertise as she grows her business. SCORE mentors have helped her navigate challenges, explore new opportunities, and keep moving forward.

Today, Pretty Pokets has built a loyal customer base, expanded into boutique retail, and successfully repaid its first Kiva crowdfunding loan. Now, Madhu is raising funds again to grow her product line.

She didn't just create the bag she couldn't find. She built a business around making everyday life a little easier for women like her.

10/08/2026

Ready to build, manage, and grow a profitable company? 🚀 Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, don't miss out on this game-changing opportunity!

Join SCORE this Tuesday, October 14 at 10:00 AM CT for a live, interactive webinar: Small Business Success: Mastering the Essentials.

In this free session, you’ll get a high-level overview of the exact tools and knowledge you need:
➡️ Fundamentals of starting and structuring your business legally
➡️ Key strategies for effective daily operations and cash management
➡️ Proven tactics to accelerate your business growth and customer base

🎟️ Registration is completely FREE! Essential insights built specifically for busy entrepreneurs.

📅 Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM CT
🎟️ Cost: FREE

👇 Ready to master the essentials? Click the link in the First Comment to save your seat! 👇

In this **FREE Webinar** Gain a high overview of the knowledge and tools needed to start, manage, and grow a successful small business.

10/07/2026

Confused about how your credit score actually impacts your business growth? 💳 Take control of your numbers and build financial strength. 📈

Join SCORE this Tuesday, October 13 at 12:00 PM CT for a practical, 90-minute webinar: Credit Basics!

In this session, you’ll uncover:
🔍 How credit scores are calculated and what factors move the needle
⚠️ Common credit pitfalls that secretly damage your borrowing power
🛠️ Proven strategies to build, repair, and maintain strong credit profiles
🏦 How to position yourself for better loan terms and capital access

📅 Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM CT (1.5 Hours)
🎟️ Investment: $10.00

Build a strong financial foundation that opens doors for your future. 🚪✨

👇 Ready to master the basics of credit? Head to the first comment to reserve your seat! 👇

This presentation will cover the fundamental principles of credit, including how credit scores work, the factors that impact them, and strategies for building and maintaining good credit. (Duration 1.5 hour)

10/06/2026

Thinking about making your first hire or expanding your team? 👥 Don't let HR missteps put your business at risk! 🛑

Join SCORE on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 AM CT for a high-impact live workshop: Everything HR - for New and Existing Businesses.

Featuring HR Consultant Jordan Hazelwood, this practical session covers:
🔹 Key differences between employees and 1099 contractors
🔹 Critical legal compliance to know before hiring
🔹 Best practices for onboarding and setting performance expectations
🔹 How to manage and retain top talent effectively

📅 Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM CT
🎟️ Investment: $10.00

Protect your business and build a confident, productive team. 💼

👇 Ready to master your HR essentials? Check the first comment to join us! 👇

Explore Human Resource needs & issues before you hire your first employee or contract worker. A local HR expert will help you understand important HR issues & to manage your current & future employees more effectively.

10/06/2026

SCORE mentor Jyoti Jaiswal knows there’s something powerful about watching an entrepreneur go from “I have an idea” to “I think I can really do this.” 💙

Behind every business is someone taking a risk, figuring things out as they go, and trying to turn a vision into something real. They shouldn’t have to do it alone.

Sometimes, the right guidance, resource, or conversation can be the thing that turns uncertainty into momentum.

That’s why mentors show up. To listen. To share what they know. To remind entrepreneurs that they have someone in their corner.

Ready to be that person for an entrepreneur? Become a SCORE mentor.

10/05/2026

Learning never stops when you’re building your dream! 🌟

Join SCORE mentors and small business experts for low-cost webinars and local events designed to help entrepreneurs like you succeed.

10/02/2026

Manufacturing takes more than engineering. It takes vision, problem-solving, and the business know-how to turn an idea into a thriving company. 🏭

For National Manufacturing Day, meet Brad, founder of AMS Galaxy USA, a manufacturer of precision dairy equipment helping farmers reclaim something invaluable: time with their families.

Growing up on a dairy farm, Brad saw firsthand how demanding the work could be. He wanted to help other farmers change that story through robotic milking technology. But when it came to running a business, he quickly realized that engineering expertise was only part of the equation.

That’s where SCORE came in. Through mentorship, Brad gained guidance in sales, marketing, accounting, finance, and strategy, the essential business skills that help manufacturers grow beyond the production floor.

“We wouldn't be where we are without SCORE,” Brad shared.

This National Manufacturing Day, we're celebrating the manufacturers who turn innovation into impact, and the mentors who help them build stronger businesses.

10/01/2026

New month, new opportunities to grow your business! 💡

Our October webinar lineup covers practical topics to help you work smarter, make informed financial decisions, and plan for what’s next.

👉 Swipe through to see what’s coming up, choose the sessions that interest you, and register for free!

We look forward to learning with you this month. 💙

10/01/2026

Knowing a business as a customer is one thing. Buying and running it is another.

After 25 years in corporate strategy, Hannah Wolken was ready to become her own boss. When the opportunity came to take over Nomads, a beloved retail store she had long known and loved, she was stepping into unfamiliar territory.

She turned to SCORE.

Through SCORE’s class on buying and selling businesses and guidance from mentor Nancy Strojny, Hannah gained the knowledge and confidence to navigate the purchase and make informed decisions.

Today, she’s carrying on Nomads’ 20-year legacy, offering functional, stylish clothing while supporting brands that share her values.

Sometimes a new chapter starts with a leap. The right mentor can help you take it with confidence.

10/01/2026

Passionate about your mission, but struggling to set clear organizational priorities? 💛 You are not alone.

Join SCORE this Thursday, October 8 at 10:00 AM CT for an essential live webinar: Strategic Planning for Small Nonprofits!

In this comprehensive session, nonprofit leaders will learn:
🎯 How to develop clear priorities aligned with your community mission
🧭 Step-by-step frameworks to establish actionable, achievable goals
🤝 Methods to align board members, volunteers, and staff for greater impact
📊 Key metrics to measure organizational progress and sustainability

🗓️ Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM CT
🎟️ Investment: $10.00

Lead your nonprofit with clarity, purpose, and lasting impact. 🌱

👇 Ready to strengthen your organization’s future? Head to the first comment to register! 👇

This Comprehensive webinar will introduce you to the concept of strategic planning and the important role it can play in helping your nonprofit organization develop priorities and goals to better accomplish your mission.

10/01/2026

09/30/2026

09/30/2026

Ready to turn ChatGPT into your personal marketing assistant? 🤖✨ Stop guessing what prompts work and start getting real results.

Join SCORE this Monday, October 5 at 2:00 PM CT for a live, interactive workshop: AI Marketing Techniques Using ChatGPT!

In this 90-minute session, you’ll discover:
💡 Proven techniques to amplify your small business marketing
📝 How to draft persuasive copy, blog ideas, and social content fast
🔍 Simple workflows to boost SEO and customer outreach
⏱️ Smart ways to automate repetitive tasks and save valuable hours

📅 Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM CT (1.5 Hours)
🎟️ Investment: $10.00

Save time, boost your reach, and stay ahead of the curve. 🚀

👇 Ready to leverage AI for your marketing? Check the first comment to grab your seat! 👇

Immerse yourself in the latest advancements where AI becomes a powerful ally in amplifying your marketing strategies. Join us for an engaging introduction to harnessing the potential of ChatGPT to propel your business forward. (Duration 90 mins)

09/29/2026

“In one session I got more usable direction than in months of reading.”

Timo Srinarmwong recently discovered SCORE and quickly experienced the difference between learning on your own and having someone in your corner.

As Timo puts it, books, podcasts and YouTube can give you frameworks. A mentor can look at your numbers, your clients and your specific challenges and help you see what to do next.

“You don’t have to figure it out by yourself. You just have to ask!”

Sometimes, the next step starts with asking for a little help.

09/29/2026

Real end-of-year SMB planning = no fluff.

What’s one unwritten rule you have for holiday prep? Drop it below 👇

09/28/2026

Pin it to the SCOREboard 📌

What's one skill Future You will thank you for learning?

We'll use the comment section as a sounding board to offer resources and support.

---

Have something YOU want to ask other entrepreneurs? DM us to submit your prompts. 📩

09/24/2026

“Starting Mothership Coffee Roasters was personal for me.”

For Juanny Romero, coffee became a vehicle for creating the kind of connection and community she wished she had growing up. A child of immigrants from the rough side of Queens, she built Mothership Coffee Roasters around a simple mission: create meaningful connections through great coffee.

Fifteen years later, that mission has grown into six cafes, regional retail partnerships, and coffee sourced from women-owned farming cooperatives.

Along the way, SCORE has been part of Juanny’s journey, providing mentorship, encouragement, and the perspective she needed to grow from a passionate entrepreneur into the CEO of a multi-chain, multi-vertical business.

But for Juanny, success isn't just about how much the business has grown. It's about what that growth makes possible: supporting women coffee producers, investing in her community, and creating spaces where people can connect.

Her advice to other entrepreneurs? Embrace mentorship. The right guidance can help you break through limiting beliefs and see what's possible.

09/24/2026

Join SCORE Mentors on September 29 at 1 PM for their 'Beyond the Barcode: Manage Inventory, Navigate Retail Channels and Prepare to Scale' webinar! 🛍️

Discover how barcodes can support inventory management, prepare your business for wholesale distribution, and MORE!

Register here ➡️: https://f.mtr.cool/hpli68wfej