5 small businesses recognized by SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties
Annual business awards event returned to in-person this year
Five businesses from across the region were recognized for their ability to “survive and thrive” in a challenging economy during SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties’ annual Small Business Achievement Awards.
The June 16 awards luncheon marked a return to an in-person event for the awards, which recognize entrepreneurs that start or grow their businesses while working with SCORE.
Since 2010, SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties has recognized owners and entrepreneurs each year, that have reached out to SCORE for mentoring, and have demonstrated vision, innovation and achievement in support of the local economy and small business community.
Mercedes Diaz, SCORE mentor and chapter chairwoman for SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties, kicked off this year’s program, held at the Concord Country Club in Glen Mills. Diaz highlighted the entrepreneurs’ ability to navigate
“significant challenges but also a strong determination, creativity, innovation, collaboration, and pure grit, just to achieve success.”
This year’s award winners are mix of established firms and startups and represent diverse segments including: Property management safety, a community art studio for all generations, global maritime training, physical therapy innovation, and an expanding digital marketing firm despite inflation and the economic crisis.
Recognized by SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties for 2022 were:
Beth Valitski, founder of Chrysalis Art Center, Chester Springs. Chrysalis Art Center was founded in 2020, to foster
creativity and education, providing an inclusive and welcoming space for local emerging artists of all ages.
Deanna and Brent Doane, owners, Click Canyon, Wayne. Click Canyon is a digital marketing agency founded in 2009.
Jonathan Maiorine, founder, J Howell Maritime, Aston. J Howell Maritime was founded in 2021 to provide specialized training and support to global commercial vessel owners and government regulators of maritime compliance.
Dr. Scott Dickenson, inventor and founder, NecksLevel, North Wales. NecksLevel was developed to streamline neck rehabilitation with a portable, versatile device delivering a singular treatment approach to physical therapy clinics and athletic trainers.
Marianela Kramer, founder and co-owner, ASAP Lead Testing and Locksmith, Philadelphia. ASAP was founded in 2020 was established to provide affordable quality lead inspections and certify local rental properties as leadsafe.
This year’s winners were selected from a group of nominations from SCORE mentors. Each business
case was reviewed by the team to understand:
• Its mission and unique value proposition
• Its path to success
• How SCORE helped the business
• How the business is doing today
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.
According to Diaz, in 2021, nationally, SCORE helped to create more than 25,000 new businesses and 96,000 new jobs. She added that 61% of clients say they have increased their revenue with the help of SCORE.
Nationally, SCORE has been helping small business owners for 60 years, while the SCORE of Chester and Delaware counties branch has been active since 1985 and has more than 100 volunteers providing mentoring and business training in support of local businesses.
In her remarks, Diaz explained how volunteers can “leverage the full power of
the nationwide network — we call it ‘one SCORE.’”
“Although our volunteers are based here in Chester and Delaware counties, we help clients all over the U.S. and we invite other SCORE business experts to aid our clients on specific business questions and challenges,” she said.
SCORE members can connect with more than 10,000 volunteer business experts across the U.S. Assistance can be provided in a variety of ways, according to SCORE, including co-mentoring with local teams, sharing educational workshops and webinars on key business skills, and/or providing relevant tools, templates, articles, blogs, and additional valuable resources.
“Over time, SCORE is assisting more and more clients across county and state lines who are developing and growing regional, national and international businesses and nonprofit organizations,” a press release stated. “The virtual meeting technology has enabled an efficient sharing model to optimize the support for SCORE clients everywhere.”
The program also included
a brief panel discussion with four previous award winners — providing some insight on the importance of the longterm view, courage, and patience needed to succeed.
In addition, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th Dist., congratulated the winners through recorded comments. Citations were presented to the award-winning business owners and thanks were extended to the Chester County Commissioners and Delaware County Council members for their generous and continuous support.
More details about SCORE’s 2022 winners can be found by visiting: chesterdelco.score.org/celebrating-small-business-2022-success-our-communities
Each winner also shared some personal reflections:
Chrysalis Art Center: https://youtu.be/B5U206BsCz8
Click Canyon: https:// youtu.be/wupSltEhtsY
J Howell Maritime: https://youtu.be/e1HFEFVM404
NecksLevel: https:// youtu.be/04h31V5779c
ASAP Lead Testing and Locksmith: https://youtu. be/fwZU3eOMWHk
More details about SCORE’s 2022 winners can be found by visiting: chesterdelco.score.org/celebrating-small-business2022-success-our-communities
To find a SCORE mentor visit https://chesterdelco.score.org/content/ find-mentor-146. For more information about SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties visit https://chesterdelco.score.org/