Success Stories

SCORE has helped tens of thousands of small businesses. Learn from the success stories of five entrepreneurs in the Austin area who started businesses with the help of free advice and counseling provided by the Austin Chapter of SCORE.

Industrial Labels

Drake Industries is a manufacturer of durable, industrial labels and overlays and had been unprofitable for nearly three years. My wife and I were approached by the owners to consider purchasing Drake with the intent of turning it around financially. Although both of us were seasoned business professionals with large publicly held corporations, we knew that owning a small business was going to be a very different challenge.

We turned to SCORE for help. The advice we received helped us to carefully analyze the risks involved, the capital required and prepare an appropriate financial offer to the owner. After purchasing the company we were struggling. SCORE counselors helped us to focus strategically and to prioritize our efforts to work on areas that were most important to revitalizing the business. They also assisted by laying out options for avoiding common pitfalls and growing the company.

Within nine months the company became profitable and the six full time and three part time employees have secure jobs thanks to SCORE.

“SCORE was crucial to our success. Without their help the company would have failed.”

Timothy G. Moore

Austin, Texas

Meat Retailer

My goal has always been to be a successful business owner. I had been in negotiations for some time to purchase Hudson Sausage Company in Austin, Texas but was unable to close the deal. I decided I needed help and turned to SCORE where I found what I was looking for in Carl Monnin who had been a business broker before he retired and became a counselor for SCORE.

Throughout the negotiations there were many challenges and the deal was completely stopped twice. Carl helped everyone focus on the issues and not let emotions take control during the process. Carl was very good at looking at the sale from the seller’s viewpoint which provided insight on how to deal with their issues ahead of time rather than dealing with them on the spot. Subjects covered during our meetings were business valuation, real estate lease agreements, financing, business purchase contracts, inventory valuation and evaluation of profit and loss statements.

It took two years to achieve the goal of purchasing this business which is now successful and growing. Without SCORE it might not have been accomplished.

“The resources of SCORE were invaluable. I would not have been able to obtain this level of consultation anywhere else.”

Barret Klein

Austin, Texas

Child Development

I wanted to reenter the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for fifteen years. I also wanted to do something challenging and rewarding, be financially independent, intellectually stimulated and able to make a difference in the lives of families. The result was the formation of “College Tutors and Nannies” which provides short and long term childcare needs through experienced nannies and tutors to guide children through all stages of development. These nannies and tutors are not only experts in their fields but also serve as active role models for the children and students with whom they work and spend time.

I contacted SCORE seeking guidance on evaluating franchises. I was given advice on how to best use the information provided by the franchisor to develop a marketing plan and I also attended several workshops.

SCORE counselors have been instrumental in my success by providing mentoring and putting me in touch with key contacts in the community including free lance writers, radio personalities and other entrepreneurs.

The first learning center was successfully opened in the fall of 2007 and the business is on track to achieve revenue goals. Three or four additional learning centers are in the planning stage.

“The SCORE office became a sea of tranquility for me as the day-to-day details of working my business were all-emcompassing.”

Donna Balser

Austin, Texas

Children’s Gymnastics

I was a gymnastics coach who enjoyed working with students at the national level but my real dream was to open my own gymnastics facility for gymnasts from ages 18 months to 18 years. My idea was to make the business unique in three ways – all coaches would undergo background checks, receive coaching certificates, and complete a 40 hour teacher training program. I also wanted to offer a progressive beginner’s program that divided gymnastic skills into 6 levels so that students experience success early and often and offer separate training areas for pre-school and competitive students.

The business was only a concept when I first contacted SCORE. The counselors started by fully understanding my needs and details of the business before offering advice. SCORE helped by taking my larger than life idea and breaking it down into achievable milestones. This made the dream become a reality sooner and with less risk. Weekly and monthly goals were set, always with rigorous follow up and counselors also helped by providing contacts with people outside of SCORE who could help me with various business projects. The business started with programs for children ages 18 months to 6 years and is profitable after only 5 months of operation. Plans are now in process to extend the program to older students.

“SCORE gave me the confidence to go for it and make my business happen.”

Natalie McKee

Austin, Texas

Talk-Radio Stations

We dreamed about doing a talk radio show program because we felt that women needed a place on the radio dial. We started our program as an interview format radio show for women that tells the stories of remarkable women and men. The show targets women aged 25-65 which represent the largest consumer group that companies target to sell products and services.

My father was a SCORE counselor in Atlanta Georgia and suggested that we contact the SCORE chapter in Austin to help us get our business started.

We found the perfect adviser in Celia Bell who helped us establish the business structure, create an equitable partnership agreement and other important aspects related to starting a business.

Our business has evolved to being a syndicated women’s interview talk show broadcasting in Austin and El Paso, with plans to broadcast the show in other medium size markets by the end of the year.

Future plans involve writing a book about the interesting stories shared by guests on the show and acting in product spokes person roles for companies who respect the importance of a Latina media figure and business leaders.

“SCORE does not have an agenda to keep you coming in, or billing for services. Their agenda is to have you independent and up and running as quickly as possible.”

Lolis Garcia-Baab & Valerie Shaw

Austin, Texas