Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
SCORE recognizes entrepreneurs in area
Thursday was a celebration of small business as SCORE Chester and Delaware County chapter recognized six local small businesses and nonprofits during its 10th annual Business Achievements Awards Program. Instead of the usual luncheon, this year’s event was held virtually via the Zoom conferencing app.
The annual event recognizes entrepreneurs that reached out to SCORE for mentoring and assistance in starting or growing their businesses.
John Hess, chairman, SCORE Chester and Delaware counties, spoke live during the hour long event, introducing prerecorded segments with the winners and their SCORE volunteer mentors, as well as elected officials.
“Today is a celebration of our clients. The central theme of our values is ‘ clients matter.’ It’s that simple,” he said.
Recognized Thursday for excellence in small business this year were seven entrepreneurs representing six area businesses and non- profits:
• ChipMay and Robert Eldredge, owners of ME3 Corporation of Honey Brook, Chester County;
• Mark Padula, owner of Padula Engineering Company of West Chester, Chester County;
• Lynne Williams, executive director of
Philadelphia Great Careers Group of Chesterbrook, Chester County;
• CrystalCarmen, owner ofVanity Image Studio of Media, Delaware County;
• Pamela Boyce Simms, founder ofWoodstock Timebank, of Swarthmore, Delaware County;
• Nina Bond, owner of Dynamic Dental Solutions of Wilmington, Del.
“As a mentor, I really enjoy meeting entrepreneurs. The dedication and passion they bring to fulfill their dream is inspiring. Being
able to work with them is as rewarding as anything I have ever done in my career,” Hess said, adding that this year’s awardwinners “are the result of great ideas, met with planning, personal sacrifice and perseverance to surmount any challenge.”
SCORE is a non- profit national organization of business volunteers dedicated to providing free counseling and educational service to small businesses. SCORE volunteers are business experts who mentor entrepreneurs planning to start a small business, or small business owners who seek assistance in solving business issues.
Nationally, SCORE has been helping small business owners for 55 years, while the SCORE of Chester and Delaware counties branch has been active since 1985.
BridgetWeston, CEOSCOREAssociation said SCORE’s mission is to foster a vibrant small business community throughmentoring and education, adding that this year’s effort have helped clients, “make smart decisions in the face of uncertainty to locate and apply for emergency funding, to pivot operations online and to stay connected with customers in this new all virtual environment.”
Hess added that the small business communities in Chester and Delaware counties account for more than 10% of small businesses in commonwealth, “reinforcing that this area is a driving force in the economy.”
This year’s winners were chosen before the pandemic struck, based on recommendations fromtheir SCOREmentors. Success
“No- one could predictwhatwould happen in light of the broad impact ( of the pandemic) across the nation and our region. However, each company demonstratedwhy they areawinner— each faced unique challenges and responded in differentways. They all showed how to pivot in adversity and move forward.” — John Hess, chairman, SCORE Chester and Delaware County.
stories were reviewed by a panel of SCOREvolunteers.
“No- one could predict what would happen in light of the broad impact ( of the pandemic) across the nation and our region. However, each company demonstrated why they are a winner — each faced unique challenges and responded in different ways. They all showed how to pivot in adversity and move forward,” Hess added.
There were also comments from some of the region’s elected officials, during the one- hour virtual meeting.
“As a business owner myself. I understand the challenges faced when developing a business from idea to plan to an actual living, breathing business that takes root and grows — challenges that are even greater in uncertain times,” Marian Moskowitz, chairwoman of the Chester County Commissioners said.
Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell said the county’s investment in SCORE is a direct investment in the region’s economy.
“And this year, SCORE is playing an important part in helping us reopen and restore Chester County,” he said.
Brian Zidek, chairman of Delaware County Council said small businesses create new jobs, drive innovation and competitiveness.
“Starting a business always presents challenges but starting and running in pandemic is a whole other ballgame,” he said.
U. S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan ( D- 6th Dist.) said 99.7% of firms in the U. S. are small businesses, and that she is working with the administration and organizations like SCORE to “make sure we are supporting small businesses at this particularly difficult time.”
More details about SCORE’s 2020 winners can be found in individual success stories by visiting: https:// chesterdelco. score. org/ celebrating- small- businesssuccess- our- communities
In addition, the six award winners and their SCORE mentors shared their stories in personal videos: DYNAMIC DENTAL SOLUTIONS » https:// youtu. be/ pQhqiEF9R5k ME3CORPORATION » https:// youtu. be/ NRksXL2L- fs PADULA ENGINEERING » https:// youtu. be/ x jINwhUfkhA PHILADELPHIA AREA GREAT CAREERS GROUP » https:// youtu. be/ 6lwtJ_ UE3rc VANITY IMAGE STUDIO » https:// youtu. be/ J6QFLV8ojiE WOODSTOCK TIMEBANK » https:// youtu. be/ DfgRPSMaMqc