SCORE Returns to Mystic To Help Small Businesses Grow

SCORE, a volunteer organization that offers FREE business advice to small businesses and entrepreneurs, will be opening a Mentoring Center in Mystic this May with the support of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.

SCORE (www.score.org) is a national organization and resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA) offering FREE business mentoring by experienced executives who share their expertise to help existing businesses grow and to guide new businesses to a successful start-up. All services are free and confidential.

The SCORE Southeast CT team in Mystic will be supported by three relative newcomers to the area with a broad range of business experience, including: Buz Sawyer (Stonington), a marketing expert who has spent his career with leading New York advertising agencies on accounts including Nike, Coca-Cola, ESPN, Delta Airlines, and Microsoft; Sharon Sisitzky (Stonington Borough), a recently retired computer sciences college professor specializing in IT and advanced technology training; and Barry LaVista (Mystic), a business executive with expertise in the management of global supply-chain activities in the chemical and marine industries.

“Based on the research we have done, there’s a great opportunity to be a resource for small business growth in this area of New London county,” said Buz Sawyer. “Over the last several months, we’ve met with Blunt White and the team at the EDC, Jason Vincent, the Stonington Planning Director, and Tricia Walsh, President of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. Each shared their support and enthusiasm and are excited about the return of SCORE to support the growth of small business in the area.”

SCORE will operate its mentoring center from the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce located in the Packard Building. “Our plan is to offer free mentoring twice a month on the first and third Wednesday of each month,” noted Buz Sawyer, who will lead the team of mentors.

“If you want help getting started with a new business idea, SCORE can help you write a business plan, learn about e-marketing, small business loans and much more. Or if you have a small business and would like some suggestions for growing it, contact us” said Buz.

It’s easy to schedule an appointment with a SCORE mentor, or to learn more about being a mentor yourself. SCORE welcomes Spanish speaking and bi-lingual clients and volunteers Contact us at www.sect.score.org, send an email to scorechapter@gmail.com, or give us a call at (860) 388-9508. Southeast CT SCORE has mentoring locations in New London, Waterford, Norwich, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Essex, Guilford, Madison and now Mystic.

###