The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
SCORE counsels small businesses
Local chapter was founded in 2000
By Kevin Korpal, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 13, 2008
Teresa Chajec and Elisabeth Magiera wanted to open a Polish grocery store and they wanted to do it in Ann Arbor. They went to City Hall for information and were given the name of a nonprofit organization called SCORE, Counselors of America's Small Business.
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One year later, they have a home for their business, Copernicus European Delicatessen, and they are profitable.
Chajec and Magiera met with a SCORE representative who helped them devise a business plan, the most critical part of starting a business, said Bob Crowner of Saline, a member of SCORE Chapter 655, which serves Washtenaw County.
"Without a business plan, the banks won't loan you any money," Crowner said. "It also helps to solidify in their minds what they want their business to be."
SCORE, an acronym for Service Corps of Retired Executives, is a nonprofit organization staffed mainly by retired business professionals who have an interest in helping others begin and maintain healthy businesses, though it's not exclusive to retirees.
"We're trying to get younger people involved, too," Crowner said. "It's a little harder, though, because they're still working."
SCORE is a national association with 389 chapters throughout the country. It was founded in 1964 and now has more than 10,000 volunteers nationwide.
"We're one of the best-kept secrets in the area," Crowner said.
It took Chajec and Magiera about six months to find a location for their business. They couldn't afford a pricy location, but they wanted to be accessible. Their SCORE representative helped them find a place on South Main Street in Ann Arbor.
"The place was in a shambles," Chajec said. "Nobody liked it."
Their SCORE representative insisted the location was right, so Chajec and Magiera decided to take his advice. The landlord was excited that someone wanted the place, Chajec said, so he agreed to help with the remodeling.
Chajec's SCORE representative helped by looking over the lease and some of the other important papers.
"They know almost everything," she said.
SCORE representatives have a vested interest in the success of the small businesses they help.
"We'd like to give something back to the country and economy," Crowner said. "Small business is what's driving the economy."
Chajec has seen a growing customer base. Copernicus' location makes it more convenient for Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor residents to find Polish food closer to home. Most of her customers used to travel to Hamtramck for it.
"We're so close to downtown," Chajec said. "This is a unique store, and it's cheaper than the bigger stores like Meijer."
Chajec has also entertained the thought of moving to California, where she lived for a time, and opening a store like Copernicus.
"There is a large Polish community in San Diego," she said, "and there is no Polish grocery store.
"I would have SCORE help me again if I move to California. And my daughter has already thought about using SCORE when she graduates from college."
April Scarlett, owner of Beanstalks Play CafÈ in Saline, had wanted to open a children's play facility for a couple of years. She didn't know where to begin. Her sister-in-law, a California sculptor and painter, recommended she visit the Web site www.score.org. She did, and what she found surprised her.
"I didn't know what a business plan was," Scarlett said, "let alone how to make one."
After she got the information on how to build a business plan, she kept returning to the Web site to utilize its resources.
SCORE offers many of the same resources online as it does in person. Many times this can be more convenient for new business owners.
"I was still working full time," Scarlett said, "so when I got home, I would hop on the computer and start plugging away."
Crowner, who lives in Saline, prefers face-to-face meetings.
"I enjoy being able to see them and talk to them," he said. "It's more satisfying than e-mail."
The e-mail approach does have its merits, though. A potential business owner can receive feedback from various SCORE representatives, providing them with different ideas and approaches.
Scarlett already knew the demographics of the area, an important aspect of the business plan. What she didn't know was how to check out the competition.
"I found the Web site to be calming," she said. "I was nervous, but then I figured a lot of people do this and so can I."
Scarlett looked into franchises like Jungle Java, but discovered they were too expensive for what she wanted to do. Franchises also locked her into a certain motif.
"My background is in children's literature," Scarlett said. "I knew I wanted to do something like a fairy tale."
Scarlett didn't know SCORE had local chapters until Crowner introduced himself after reading an article about her business in which she mentioned SCORE.
Scarlett plans on using the local SCORE chapter for more information and help with her finances.
"Now that I know there's a local guy," Scarlett said, "I'll use him. I'll be more involved with SCORE now that I know there's something local.
"It's nice because it's free. I tell my friends who are looking to start a business to go to SCORE."
Crowner says SCORE isn't just for people starting a business.
"It's also for people who need help. We can't always save a business, but we can try," he said.
Crowner recently spoke to members of the Milan Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber allows SCORE to work out of its offices and refers business owners to the service who may need the help. Video of Crowner's talk is available online at www.heritage.com.
Kevin Korpal is an intern at the newspapers. He can be reached at kkorpal@emich.edu.
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