SCORE Worcester's Local Case Studies

           The Erickson family credits a group of volunteer retirees with helping them realize their mom-and-pop company doesn't have to be a multi-billion-dollar corporation to run like one.
Perhaps successful is as successful does. Now that the Groundwater Supply Co. Inc. of Sterling has been working with the Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE, for about four years, they've seen their annual sales climb from $300,000 or $400,000 to $5 million.    Written by Matthew L. Brown

See below for other Worcester Score area Case Studies:

SCORE Worcester assists successful launch of Partnering Resources

In July 2004, Northborough resident Maya Townsend had a full-time corporate Human Resources job in Worcester but had dreamed for many years of starting a management consultancy business. Despite having deep knowledge of consulting and organization dynamics, she had no experience with starting a company. She knew she needed help, so she called the SCORE branch office in Westborough and was paired with Counselor Pete Allen, a semi-retired consultant.

Pete over time has become a valued mentor to Maya, sharing his 37 years of business experience by providing advice on detailed issues such as insurance, legal, and especially focused marketing. Initially he strongly encouraged Maya to draft a detailed business plan, reviewed it thoroughly, and provided in-depth comments. With his guidance and encouragement, Maya secured three clients before leaving her job, moving to Greater Boston, and starting her own practice in January 2005.

Partnering Resources is now a small consulting firm that helps Boston-area IT organizations align and focus in order to execute more effectively. This is accomplished by developing roadmaps for goal achievement, clarifying accountabilities and priorities, and engaging the workforce around strategic initiatives.

During the early start-up months, Pete continued to provide Maya with requested support and guidance on her Web site development, www.partneringresources.com; start-up issues; and marketing. The main challenge, as with any consulting business, has been to maintain a steady cash flow during the natural ebbs and flow of work. Pete counseled Maya to anticipate this obstacle and identify ways of mitigating such effects. With SCORE’s guidance, Maya has secured several long-term clients in the IT field and developed partnerships with colleagues in complementary fields. With one partner, she also developed a proposal to co-author a book that subsequently has signed with an agent.

Partnering Resources has been highly successful in making a profit in its first full year of operation, and Maya recently described herself as “wonderfully overwhelmed with exciting work.” She knows she always can count on the advice of her committed Worcester SCORE advisor, just an e-mail or phone call away.

To find out more about other local success SCORE counseling case studies, call us at 508-753-2929, or complete the form on the Contact Us page of this web site, or send an email.