Join SCORE mentor Dr. Jeffrey Ricken in an inspiring conversation with Sue McCarron, successful owner of McCarron Home Care and Executive Director of Global Pathways Institute for Caregivers, and her SCORE mentor Richard Stanley, a 19-year veteran volunteer advisor.

Discover how Sue transformed from a failed first business attempt in 2013 to building a thriving home healthcare company that broke even in its first year—all with the guidance of SCORE's free mentorship services. Sue shares her journey from having no experience in the home care industry to managing 15 professional caregivers and approaching seven-figure revenues.

Richard Stanley, who has mentored entrepreneurs for nearly two decades, reveals the secrets behind successful business startups, including the importance of business planning, building credit, and leveraging SCORE's extensive network of experts in legal, marketing, SEO, and nonprofit management.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Overcoming the challenges of starting a business in an unfamiliar industry
• The critical role of mentorship in business success
• How to start a business with limited funds and poor credit
• Creating effective business plans and financial projections
• The power of SCORE's free resources, webinars, and expert guidance
• Why 70% of businesses fail in the first two years—and how to avoid becoming a statistic

Whether you're dreaming of starting your own business or looking to grow an existing one, this episode demonstrates how SCORE's free mentorship can help in entrepreneurial success.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com

Join Dr. Jeffrey Ricken in conversation with Art Klebba, a seasoned SCORE mentor with 40+ years of business experience. Art shares invaluable insights on starting and growing successful businesses, including funding strategies, partnership best practices, and exit planning.

Key Topics: ✓ Why you don't need a college degree to start a business ✓ The power of sweat equity and long-term thinking ✓ How to avoid under-capitalization (the #1 cause of business failure) ✓ Partnership agreements: why 50/50 splits don't work ✓ Building lasting customer relationships that span decades ✓ Market research essentials before launching ✓ Exit strategies and business valuation ✓ Free SCORE resources for aspiring entrepreneurs

Art successfully built and sold multiple healthcare companies and now dedicates his retirement to mentoring the next generation of business owners through SCORE—a nonprofit partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Here are three excellent quotes from Art Klebba:

1. On Partnership Structure: > "Probably the most important thing in any partnership is having a written document that really outlines the partnership. A 50-50 partnership is really not always the best way because if there's a final decision that needs to be made, someone has to make that. There has to be a final decision maker."

2. On The Power of Listening: > "One of the most important skills in any business is a listening skill. You have to not be talking. You have to hear what the customer's saying. Listen, listen, listen."

3. On Understanding Your Market: > "Know your market. Know your customer. Who is your customer? And specifically, what value will you bring to that customer with your product or service? You have to give solid reasons, not just because you're a nice person, but because that doesn't sell anything. You have to have value of the product or service that you're offering."

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com

Discover actionable strategies from Robert Brown, former global executive and SCORE Houston mentor, as he shares with Dr Jeffrey Ricken how to build customer intimacy, generate aftermarket revenue, and create trust that drives business growth. In this episode, you’ll learn how small businesses can boost customer retention, manage cash flow, and set clear goals for sustainable success. Robert explains why hiring for attitude and cultural fit is essential, and how transparent communication and mentorship can help you lead your team through change. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or aspiring leader, you’ll gain practical tips on service excellence, customer loyalty, and the fundamentals of P&L management. Don’t miss Robert’s expert advice on transforming one-time buyers into loyal advocates and building a business that thrives.

Robert's Core Philosophy:

"Large corporations have a cushion for bad decisions. Small businesses don't. You can't run negative cash flow for months—it will cripple or kill your business."

"Customer intimacy isn't just for big companies. Whether you're multinational or a solo plumber, it's what drives referrals and repeat business."

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com