Nonprofit helps fledgling businesses survive
By Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee
Starting a business in a recession is tough. Keeping it on course in a rough economy is even more of a challenge.
Volunteer business counselors from the nonprofit organization SCORE see the challenges Sacramento-area business owners face as they reach the two-year mark.
Seven of 10 new firms survive at least two years, but just half stay open at least five years, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Now SCORE is launching a program aimed at business owners looking to grow and expand during that critical time.
Titled “Becoming a Well-Run Business,” the first six-week class begins at 7am Sept. 7 at Maidu Branch Library, 1530 Maidu Drive in Roseville. It’s the first site in a trio of Sacramento-area locations that will host the classes.
Plans are to launch similar classes in El Dorado County in January and Sacramento County in March, said SCORE counselor Bill Duthler, who will teach the classes with fellow counselor Jack Mayfield.
