Join SCORE mentor Dr. Jeffrey Ricken in an inspiring conversation with Sue McCarron, successful owner of McCarron Home Care and Executive Director of Global Pathways Institute for Caregivers, and her SCORE mentor Richard Stanley, a 19-year veteran volunteer advisor.

Discover how Sue transformed from a failed first business attempt in 2013 to building a thriving home healthcare company that broke even in its first year—all with the guidance of SCORE's free mentorship services. Sue shares her journey from having no experience in the home care industry to managing 15 professional caregivers and approaching seven-figure revenues.

Richard Stanley, who has mentored entrepreneurs for nearly two decades, reveals the secrets behind successful business startups, including the importance of business planning, building credit, and leveraging SCORE's extensive network of experts in legal, marketing, SEO, and nonprofit management.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Overcoming the challenges of starting a business in an unfamiliar industry
• The critical role of mentorship in business success
• How to start a business with limited funds and poor credit
• Creating effective business plans and financial projections
• The power of SCORE's free resources, webinars, and expert guidance
• Why 70% of businesses fail in the first two years—and how to avoid becoming a statistic

Whether you're dreaming of starting your own business or looking to grow an existing one, this episode demonstrates how SCORE's free mentorship can help in entrepreneurial success. 

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Join Dr. Jeffrey Ricken in conversation with Art Klebba, a seasoned SCORE mentor with 40+ years of business experience. Art shares invaluable insights on starting and growing successful businesses, including funding strategies, partnership best practices, and exit planning.

Key Topics: ✓ Why you don't need a college degree to start a business ✓ The power of sweat equity and long-term thinking ✓ How to avoid under-capitalization (the #1 cause of business failure) ✓ Partnership agreements: why 50/50 splits don't work ✓ Building lasting customer relationships that span decades ✓ Market research essentials before launching ✓ Exit strategies and business valuation ✓ Free SCORE resources for aspiring entrepreneurs

Art successfully built and sold multiple healthcare companies and now dedicates his retirement to mentoring the next generation of business owners through SCORE—a nonprofit partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Here are three excellent quotes from Art Klebba:

1. On Partnership Structure: > "Probably the most important thing in any partnership is having a written document that really outlines the partnership. A 50-50 partnership is really not always the best way because if there's a final decision that needs to be made, someone has to make that. There has to be a final decision maker."

2. On The Power of Listening: > "One of the most important skills in any business is a listening skill. You have to not be talking. You have to hear what the customer's saying. Listen, listen, listen."

3. On Understanding Your Market: > "Know your market. Know your customer. Who is your customer? And specifically, what value will you bring to that customer with your product or service? You have to give solid reasons, not just because you're a nice person, but because that doesn't sell anything. You have to have value of the product or service that you're offering."

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Discover actionable strategies from Robert Brown, former global executive and SCORE Houston mentor, as he shares with Dr Jeffrey Ricken how to build customer intimacy, generate aftermarket revenue, and create trust that drives business growth. In this episode, you’ll learn how small businesses can boost customer retention, manage cash flow, and set clear goals for sustainable success. Robert explains why hiring for attitude and cultural fit is essential, and how transparent communication and mentorship can help you lead your team through change. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or aspiring leader, you’ll gain practical tips on service excellence, customer loyalty, and the fundamentals of P&L management. Don’t miss Robert’s expert advice on transforming one-time buyers into loyal advocates and building a business that thrives.

Robert's Core Philosophy:

"Large corporations have a cushion for bad decisions. Small businesses don't. You can't run negative cash flow for months—it will cripple or kill your business."

"Customer intimacy isn't just for big companies. Whether you're multinational or a solo plumber, it's what drives referrals and repeat business."

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Corine Short is the founder and CEO of That Stuff Nutrition and the 2025 Houston District Veteran Business Owner of the Year. A former US Air Force Captain and fitness nutrition officer, Corine has built a thriving health and wellness brand in Houston with 2 locations, a food truck, a TSU campus partnership, and 13 employees. Her journey? Corporate layoff in 2018 → Used severance to start business → Built award-winning nutrition empire with SCORE Houston mentorship.

Corine shares how she transformed setbacks into opportunities and built a purpose-driven brand with strong community impact:

→ Military discipline in business - How Air Force training shaped her systems-driven approach
 → Turning layoff into opportunity - The courage to invest severance in herself instead of waiting
 → "You can't out-train a bad diet" - Why she pivoted from fitness to functional nutrition
 → Working with SCORE mentor Bill Horwitz - How mentorship helped her focus and accelerate growth
 → PhD-driven innovation - Using health science research to design functional products
 → Purpose-driven leadership - Creating positive community impact through nutrition

Corine's Success Formula: "Systems matter more than motivation. Cash flow is the oxygen of business. And find a community and mentorship to accelerate your growth and keep you grounded."

Corine credits SCORE Houston for helping her "slow down to speed up." Bill helped her separate activities from meaningful progress, refine her systems, pricing, and growth decisions. This is a beautiful example of SCORE mentorship in action!

Key Quote About SCORE: "I truly believe in mentorship. I don't think anyone builds anything meaningful alone. SCORE offered access to experience without ego or ulterior motives."

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com

Join us for an insightful conversation with Kevin Rosenberg, a seasoned CPA and SCORE Houston mentor, as he shares his expertise on the critical role of financial literacy and exceptional service in driving small business success. In this episode, Kevin draws from over 40 years of experience in accounting and finance, offering practical advice for entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners.

Discover why understanding the "why" behind business decisions is just as important as knowing the "what," and learn how focusing on value and quality—rather than competing on price—can set your business apart. Kevin discusses common pitfalls faced by new business owners, the importance of knowing your cost structure, and how to develop a clear vision for long-term growth.

Whether you're launching a startup, growing your business, or seeking mentorship, this episode is packed with actionable tips on financial management, business planning, and customer service excellence. Tune in to gain valuable insights from Kevin Rosenberg and take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

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Jerry Hoffman is one of our most experienced mentors at SCORE Houston with a distinguished career in sales, marketing, and the fashion industry—designing and manufacturing clothing from women's leather jackets to men's sweaters, managing nationwide sales teams, and developing marketing campaigns. But here's what makes Jerry exceptional: he and Raj Mashruwala have mentored over 65 entrepreneurs into successful businesses across diverse industries, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, skincare, med spas, and wellness businesses. In conversation with PV Bala, Jerry reveals the practical, street-smart strategies that have helped dozens of Houston entrepreneurs succeed:

→ The 20-call rule - Why calling 20 businesses outside Houston transforms startup success
 → Inventory management - The #1 mistake that kills new product businesses
 → Value propositions - How to convince customers to choose YOU over competitors
 → Consignment strategy - Testing products without risk (brilliant for new brands)
 → Listening to customers - Real stories of pivots that turned failures into million-dollar businesses
 → Digital vs traditional marketing - What still matters in the age of AI

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

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Join Jeff Ricken and Richard Webb for an insightful conversation about SCORE Houston, America's largest network of volunteer business mentors. Richard, a former Ernst & Young HR executive with over 20 years of experience, shares his journey from corporate leadership to mentoring small businesses. Learn about SCORE's free mentoring services, success stories from Houston entrepreneurs, and valuable insights on what it takes to build a successful business. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking to give back through mentoring, this episode offers practical wisdom and resources to help you succeed.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

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Join us for an inspiring episode of Mentor Conversations at Score Houston as we sit down with Ken Roseboom, owner of Thinking Partners and an executive leadership coach with decades of experience. Ken shares his journey from a 37-year career at Chevron to coaching business owners and leaders, offering practical wisdom on the emotional side of leadership. In this episode, Ken shares practical wisdom on leadership, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building high-performing teams. Learn how to lead with presence, foster accountability, and create a culture where people feel valued and engaged. Perfect for business owners and leaders looking for actionable strategies to grow and thrive.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

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In this episode of Mentor Conversations at SCORE Houston, host Doug Sewell sits down with Jim Nordhaus, a seasoned entrepreneur and mentor with decades of experience in the food industry. Jim shares his journey from running a family frozen food business to holding executive roles at major companies like Cisco and PFG. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of understanding business fundamentals, and the value of giving back through mentorship. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, Jim's insights on leadership, risk management, and building a successful business are invaluable.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

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Join us for Mentor Conversations from SCORE Houston as we talk with Bill Horwitz, a mentor with over 40 years of experience. Bill shares his journey from family business to mentoring entrepreneurs, offering practical advice and insights for small business owners. Discover how SCORE Houston supports local entrepreneurs and why mentorship is key to business success. Tune in for real-world wisdom and encouragement to help you thrive!

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com