SCORE Rhode Island
We provide FREE, confidential counseling to small businesses as a volunteer organization of working and retired business owners, professionals, and executives with experience in all aspects of business management.
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Whether you're just starting out, in business, or ready to sell or retire, you can get FREE, confidential business advice from expert advisors committed to helping you succeed. Mentors are available to participate in remote mentoring sessions via phone, email, and video.
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
From Sept 15 - Oct 15, is a time to celebrate and appreciate Hispanic-owned businesses across the nation. Hispanic-owned small businesses have grown 34% over the last 10 years – and show no signs of slowing down. Even with the growth and accelerating impact, Hispanic business owners face very real challenges.
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Volunteer with SCORE Rhode Island
Small business owners in our community need your help now more than ever. SCORE is proud to have the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. They help thousands of entrepreneurs start and grow their small businesses every year. Our volunteers give back to their communities and pass on their knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Do you want to help someone achieve their dream?
SCORE Rhode Island earns Northeast Region Chapter of the Year Again in 2021
SCORE has named Rhode Island as the Northeast Region Chapter of the Year for the second year in a row in 2021, recognizing the chapter's commitment to outstanding service in helping entrepreneurs start and grow businesses in the past year. The chapter achieved success by focusing on the needs of their small business clients, partnering with more than 30 other organizations in the community, and achieving one of the highest market penetrations and client satisfaction ratings in the country.
SCORE RI and SCORE Mentor Bill Cunningham Receive Congressional Recognition
SCORE Rhode Island was recognized this year for the 2022 Small Business Administration (SBA) District Director’s Award by US Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed and US Representatives David Cicilline and James Langevin. SCORE RI was also recognized by Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Treasurer Seth Magaziner, and Governor Dan McKee. Score Rhode Island mentor Bill Cunningham was similarly recognized for his award of the Rhode Island SBA Financial Services Champion. The recognitions took place at an SBA hosted awards event, at a Congressional breakfast, and at an appearance before the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
SCORE Rhode Island Earns Prestigious “Diamond Leadership Award”
The national office of SCORE, “Mentors to America’s Small Business,” has honored SCORE Rhode Island with the “Diamond Leadership Award” for outstanding performance in 2020. Less than 10% of the 330+ SCORE chapters across the United States are bestowed this highest recognition for service and operations excellence. Additionally, in order to be considered a Diamond chapter, you have to have been awarded as a Platinum level 5 years in a row.
FOR RELEASE ON:
MAY 3, 2022
Rhode Island Woman Honored
with Joseph G.E. Knight Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence
Providence, RI: Katrinkles founder and owner Katherine Westcott has been awarded the 2022 Joseph G.E. Knight Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. Katherine is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and her business is located in Providence, RI.
Katherine was presented the award today at the 2022 Rhode Island Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the RI Society of Certified Public Accountants. The Knight Award is a recognition of a successful small business owner that SCORE Rhode Island (ri.score.org) has worked with for many years. The award was presented by SCORE chapter co-chair James Mutschler.
Katherine launched Katrinkles (www.katrinkles.com) in the corner of a loft apartment in Pawtucket in 2012. She says “Katrinkles grew out of my passion for fiber arts and my recognition that there was a market that was not being served. In creating Katrinkles, I established a niche business that to this day remains unique in the knitting and fiber arts industries.”
Mutschler commented on Katherine’s success, “Katrinkles built a viable business around a niche of providing crafters with high quality tools. They have grown sales substantially each year since 2014, allowing her to proudly increase staffing to twelve employees and offer employee health insurance benefits similar to much larger companies.”
Katherine and her business both have deep roots in Rhode Island. She graduated from RISD’s Jewelry and Metalsmithing department in 2002 and she adds, “My two industries, jewelry and textiles, have a long manufacturing history here in Rhode Island. My family also has a history in those industries, and I am proud to continue this legacy with my own small business.”
About SCORE: Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs start or grow a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops and educational services to 1,500+ communities nationwide, creating more than 25,000 new businesses and 71,000 non-owner jobs in 2021 alone. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Follow @SCOREMentors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
- SCORE Contacts:
- Jim Mutschler Jeff Bodenstab
- Chapter Co-Chair Chapter Co-Chair
- 401-226-0077 401-226-0077
- james.mutschler@scorevolunteer.org jeff.bodenstab@scorevolunteer.org