SCORE Mentors Blue Ridge

08/31/2026

📚 Low-cost business learning opportunities await!

Join a SCORE Blue Ridge webinar or workshop this week and 🚀

08/27/2026

“Knowing that there are successful entrepreneurs willing to help out new entrepreneurs influenced me to request a mentor.”

When Gavin Escolar discovered Chaga in Alaska, he saw an opportunity to bring the superfood home to and introduce it in new ways through The Chaga Company.

But turning an idea into a growing business meant navigating challenges around funding, scaling, distribution, and finding the right place in the market.

That's where SCORE mentor Pete Slosberg came in.

Pete helped Gavin refine his sales strategy, elevator pitch, marketing, customer acquisition, and plans for growth, giving him a trusted sounding board as he built the business.

Gavin's advice to fellow entrepreneurs? “Find a mentor, listen to your mentor, and keep pushing.”

Because building a business is daunting. You don't have to do it alone.

08/25/2026

SCORE mentor Pablo Conrad knows that mentorship is a two-way exchange.

By sharing his experience with entrepreneurs, he’s also gained new perspectives from the business owners and fellow mentors he’s met along the way. It’s a community where giving back and learning go hand in hand.

That’s what makes the SCORE community so special.

Ready to share what you know and discover what you’ll learn along the way? Become a SCORE mentor. 💙

08/24/2026

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.

08/20/2026

Sometimes the business you start isn't the business you end up building.

When Manasse Shingiro first turned to SCORE in 2016, he was developing a Rwandan Arabica Coffee business. But when circumstances changed, he adapted and founded Casco Bay Cleaning Services instead.

The pivot wasn't the end of the dream. It was the beginning of something bigger.

With guidance from SCORE mentor Donna LeBreux, Manasse developed business plans, identified opportunities for growth, and made informed decisions that helped move Casco Bay Cleaning forward.

In just five years, the company grew from a team of two to more than 100 employees. But for Manasse, success isn't measured only in numbers. He is committed to helping his employees grow, supporting them as they build careers, buy homes, and create better futures for themselves and their families.

Manasse's story is a reminder that sometimes, the path to your dream looks nothing like the path you imagined.

08/20/2026

08/18/2026

From Mentorship to Main Street ✂️

Three years ago, James Smethie was exploring franchise opportunities and figuring out what came next. SCORE mentors Alan Gorlick and Bob Melberth were there to help him navigate the decision.

Fast-forward to June 2026: James opened his Playa Bowls franchise to a line of 90 eager customers. Last week, he celebrated another milestone with a Chamber ribbon cutting.

And he's already looking ahead, with plans for two more locations. 🚀

From exploring an idea to opening the doors of a growing business, James' journey shows what can happen when entrepreneurs have the right guidance along the way.

Congratulations, James and the Playa Bowls team! And cheers to Alan and Bob for being part of the journey. 💙

08/17/2026

💡 Ready to take your business to the next level? SCORE offers live webinars and local workshops to help you start, grow, and thrive.

08/13/2026

Knowing your craft and knowing how to build a business are two very different things.

Jackson Dalton had spent his career learning how to keep people safe. After a training injury forced him to medically retire from the Marine Corps, he turned that expertise into a mission: helping protect others from workplace injuries and hazards.

As the founder of Black Box Safety, Jackson brought an MPH, a Certified Safety Professional certification, and years of experience to the business. But he knew he still had plenty to learn about entrepreneurship.

So he turned to SCORE.

His mentor, Joe, helped him refine his business plan, identify gaps, stay accountable, and think beyond his initial focus on Veterans Affairs to pursue a broader client base.

Today, Black Box Safety supplies safety equipment to organizations including the states of California and Minnesota and Veterans Affairs.

Jackson's advice to fellow entrepreneurs? “There’s nothing to think about. The sooner you reach out to SCORE the better.”

08/11/2026

SCORE mentor Stephanie Heusuk knows that mentorship is a two-way street.

By supporting entrepreneurs as they build resilient businesses, mentors also gain fresh perspectives, sharpen their own leadership, and continue growing alongside the people they serve.

That shared growth is what makes this community so special.

Ready to put your experience to work? Become a SCORE mentor. 💙