Small Business Success Blog

Every leader should continuously develop potential successors. Most leaders do nothing and then are horrified that no employee is really ready. That’s the best case in this bad situation. What if the situation got worse? What if there was the “unfortunate bus accident” or “sudden heart attack” and the leader was just no longer available?

Are you a current or retired business executive or small business owner? Do you have experience, wisdom, insights and expertise to share? Are you ready, willing and able to share elements of what made you successful with the next generation of small business owner and operator in southeastern Michigan? Then volunteering with SCORE just may be for you!

Armando Ojeda, Co-Chair of the Southeast Michigan chapter of SCORE, was recently interviewed by Lending Tree to provide expert analysis from a a mentor's point of view regarding the importance of small businesses—whether just starting up or reopening post-lockdown—doing thorough competitor analysis.

COVID-19 has driven us to use electronic media. Zoom usage has exploded. Unfortunately, many companies cannot even operate during this time. The smart ones are keeping their employees and customers informed using email, texts, social media, videos and phone calls.

The Southeast Michigan chapter of SCORE is working in collaboration with the City of Detroit and Techtown Detroit, among many others, on a project to get our community's local small businesses back to work post COVID-19, known as "Detroit Means Business," beginning with a workshop series this week.

Nilda Thomas, a Certified Volunteer Mentor with the Southeast Michigan chapter of SCORE and founder of Workforce eTraining Solutions, was recently named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council.

he Southeast Michigan chapter of SCORE has published a downloadable checklist for owners and operators of small businesses and retail storefronts to make sure their businesses are prepared for their return-to-work operations

The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus has had devastating effects on the entire restaurant and hospitality industry, with small businesses taking an even harder hit. As I’ve navigated the uncharted territory recently for my own business and advised SCORE Detroit clients, I’ve compiled the best tactics for managing a restaurant amid COVID-19.

Armando Ojeda, Chapter Co-Chair of SCORE of Southeast Michigan, was interviewed on Facebook Live for Rebound Detroit, an ongoing segment hosted by reporter Ameera David on Channel 7 Action News for WXYZ in Detroit. In the segment, Armando shared SCORE's perspective on PPP strategies as well as broader financing and business planning strategies.

Risk is made tangible by evaluating the likelihood of the risk and the severity of the consequences should it happen. For example, a pandemic is one of those things that seemed somewhat unlikely (we thought) but would have a catastrophic consequence on most every piece of our existence (proven in real-time).

Donna Hover, Chapter Co-Chair of SCORE of Southeast Michigan, was interviewed recently for Rebound Detroit, an ongoing segment hosted by reporter Ameera David on Channel 7 Action News for WXYZ in Detroit. In the segment, David interviewed Hover and other experts to identify and highlight tools and resources available to small businesses in Southeast Michigan to help them cope with the Coronavirus and its economic impact.

Everybody is talking about “surviving the pandemic” and, "What will business be like in 'the new normal'?"  What I’m not hearing enough of is, "How do I recreate my business to be stronger and more resilient, both now and well into the future?" A recommended checklist for those who have the fortitude to charge ahead despite the challenges before them.