SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” salutes the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Volunteer SCORE counselors offer free business mentoring and resources to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reservists who are starting or growing a small business. Many SCORE volunteers are veterans who donate their time to mentor veterans and other entrepreneurs in their hometowns.

SCORE offices nationwide have programs and services specifically for members of the military community, some of whom will be leaving the service soon and others who completed their terms years ago. SCORE provides new and updated resources for veterans online at www.score.org/veteran.html.

After retiring from the Navy as a helicopter pilot, Tony Clarke decided to open a microbrewery. He attended San Diego SCORE workshops at least twice monthly. Clarke also met with SCORE Counselor Henry Olbricht to review Airdale’s business, marketing and sales plans. 

“The information I received from Henry is invaluable. He helped me set realistic sales goals and suggested I present conservative financial numbers to potential investors,” Clarke says. “It was through SCORE that I met a lender who was open to financing a start-up.”

Today, Airdale is available in more than 40 different establishments and is sold at San Diego Padre baseball games. Sales have increased by 25 percent each quarter since Airdale began selling its ales. Airdale Brewery has been featured in the San Diego Business Journal.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score.org and www.score.org/women. Connect with SCORE at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans, http://twitter.com/SCOREMentors and www.scorecommunity.org.

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