Ventura County SCORE wants veterans to know about its national organization’s new program which offers a free $125 coupon for business training. “It’s urgent that interested vets apply immediately since there is a limited number of coupons available. These coupons can be used for Ventura County SCORE’s business training opportunities,” said SCORE’s Barry Krauss of Thousand Oaks. The local chapter covers Ventura County and adjacent communities such as Malibu. Krauss said the coupon program is possible because of primary support from WalMart (and 11 other national companies) and offers veterans (and their immediate families – spouse, mother, father, brother, sister) coupons for business training services through SCORE to help them start or grow a business. “The only ‘string attached’ is you actually attend the business workshops you sign up for,” said Krauss, who added the coupons are valid for 90 days. Website from which to get the coupon is www.vetsfastlaunch.org/sponsor-offerings. To find out what workshops are available from the Ventura County SCORE training schedule, visit www.venturacountyscore.org, which also tells how to register. “Our workshops cost $59 so a veteran (or family member) would be eligible for two of our workshops for free with this coupon,” said Krauss. This program has limited funding and estimates are that 2,000 coupons will be available nationwide, said the SCORE representative. SCORE members, all volunteers, are mentors to America’s small businesses.   Website

Learn more business savvy when the Ventura (County) Chapter of SCORE hosts its next free business seminar from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 in Thousand Oaks. In addition to the “Do you have what it takes to be in your own business,” the no-charge event will add “Marketing on a Shoestring” about techniques to increase awareness and sales. “We offer tips that can help you go beyond failure and slow-starts, to success,” said Barry Krauss of Thousand Oaks, a SCORE mentor. “An integral part of what SCORE counselors do is offer information to help those who want to enter business, and entrepreneurs wanting to move to their next level in profit and expertise.” ----- All at no charge, SCORE volunteers, attorneys and advisors will be on hand to answer questions. So will a representative from the Small Business Administration, an important SCORE collaborator. While the event is free, pre-registration is required. Seating is limited so early sign-up is advised, according to SCORE mentor Barry Krauss of Thousand Oaks, (805) 204-6022. To register, visit www.ventura.score.org. Seminar location will be Los Robles Greens Country Club, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks 91361. ----- Incoming SCORE chapter chairman is Larry Willet of Westlake Village. The Ventura Chapter spans Ventura County and Malibu. Over 42 members strong, the chapter celebrated its 40th anniversary May 25 in Oxnard, with over 700 persons attending. “We have helped thousands of neophyte and veteran small business operators -- a significant boost to the county’s business climate,” said Michael J. Scotto of Thousand Oaks, outgoing chair. In 2010 the chapter provided 3,513 services and 95 workshops with 2,524 participants, Scotto reported ----- Counselor to America’s small business, SCORE has 354 chapters nationally. The non-profit organization is comprised of semi-retired and retired executives, managers and small business owners knowledgeable about many facets of business, including single-owner operations. These volunteer counselors offer free one-on-one counseling, free mentoring and seminars, and low-cost workshops all year-long throughout Ventura County and Malibu. Written By Kitty Dill, Score supporter, (805) 379-4067.   Website

This is a great series for not only those who want to start a business but those who are already in business that need to take their organization a step further or perhaps needs financing. We can help with not only resources to build a sound marketing plan, financial plan or business plan, but techniques on how to grow a business successfully....even build traffic to a website and convert it to sales.   Website

Over 700 future and established entrepreneurs streamed into the Free Seminars and Business Expo held by the Ventura County Chapter of SCORE, to celebrate its 40 years of service helping small businesses grow. “Inquiring minds were everywhere,” observed chapter chairman Michael J. Scotto of Thousand Oaks. “As one of 354 non-profit chapters across the country, we are a resource partner to the Small Business Administration. Our counselors who are semi-retired and retired business executives and managers volunteer their vast experience and knowledge to help established business owners, and potential owners be successful:” Those attending the packed seminars sampled information presented in more depth at SCORE’s array of scheduled workshops in Ventura County. Celebration seminar topics addressed: “do you have what it takes to be in your own business?,” “money sources now available to entrepreneurs; marketing tips and tools; “taking your website from okay to outstanding,” and “social media marketing made easy.” Scotto, who alone has over 45 years experience in corporate and small-business development and marketing, said, “We expected hundreds to attend this event, which we believe was one of the biggest of its kind in our area, so we’re most gratified at the attendance. It exceeded our expectations.” Last month this Ventura Chapter was named District Chapter of the Year 2011 by the Small Business Administration, Los Angeles District Office.  Website