For National Score Success Stories,
click here
Here are some
Success Stories in our Chapter:
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 Online
Company preserving your photo memories
Photacular, San Ramon, CA
Darla Weiss,
(925) 215-8650,
darla@photacular.com
Photacular (www.photacular.com)
is an online company dedicated to the preservation of photo memories.
Darla Weiss says: " We help people turn their precious photos into
custom gifts and keepsakes, like jewelry, coasters, keepsake boxes,
mouse pads, coffee mugs, and T-shirts. We pride ourselves on our
personal service and will work diligently to accommodate any special
requests. SCORE has been a wonderful resource throughout the process of
contemplating, planning, starting, and running my business. Attending
workshops and seminars helps keep me on track and builds my confidence.
It is a wonderful feeling to have SCORE behind me. Larry Tessler has
provided great advice and support from the beginning."
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Play Café,
4400 Keller Avenue,
Oakland, CA Play Café was created to provide a safe and fun place for families to gather and feel part of a larger community. Some of their goals include catering to children and caregivers, creating an imaginative play environment and serving wholesome foods. Kellianne Lam and her partner worked with Hank Weiner on their original business plan. See www.playcafewebsite.com -------------------------------------------------------- |
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Cafe
for Parents and their Children
 Fashionable
clothes for pregnant women and babies
Mama Mia, 612 Main Ave.,
Fargo, ND 58103 Mama Mia, the creation of business owner Ciara Stockeland and her husband Jim, is a unique lifestyle shop that caters to the fashion-aware pregnant woman and mother. Mama Mia offers the fashion-savvy woman the opportunity to dress with the same style and charisma when they are expecting as when they are not. It also gives that new mother the products to dress and accessorize her new little one with that same style and care. You can find out more about Mama Mia at www.MamaMiaStore.com SCORE counselor Larry Tessler was recommended to Ciara from another Fargo, ND, boutique owner who had just opened her first store and was very impressed by his knowledge of the retail market. Larry’s help and advice was invaluable. --------------------------------------------------------- |
 Authentic
Black American Style BBQ
The Brick Pig's House, 5973 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland The Brick Pig's House serving authentic black American style BBQ is now open providing delicious barbecue foods at a reasonable price, with counseling assistance from Score Counselor Hank Weiner. The owners aim to not only provide the best quality food, but to also provide a safe, pleasant atmosphere for their customers. Carolyn, the master cook, comes from a long line of barbecue and food service providers. She is a third generation food service professional who has been pleasing palates for the last 30 years while Barry is the second cook and business manager. Barry has been cooking "Carolyn-style" so long that he can’t remember cooking BBQ using his own recipes. Their menus and more information on their new venture can be found at: http://thebrickpigshouse.shabfas.us/index.html. |
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 Cafe
and Bar
Z Cafe & Bar, 2735 Broadway, Oakland, CA Score Counselor Hank Weiner worked with the Zarekaris to open the new Z Cafe & Bar. Mehdi has extensive restaurant industry background which he brings to the cafe along with his mixology skills to create an exciting array of cocktails. Sheila comes from a marketing background with a lifelong interest in food and cooking. Together they have launched an exciting new concept on Oakland's Auto Row featuring contemporary American bistro fare using the freshest, locally grown meats and produce. The bistro is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. More facts on Z's along with sample menus are available at their website http://www.zcafeandbar.com/index.html |
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Footsteps Clothing
Footsteps Clothing (www.footstepsclothing.com) is an online mother-daughter boutique in Cary, NC, that offers fun and fashionable clothing, accessories and gifts designed to enhance the very special bond between mothers and daughters. Amber and Marci were inspired to create Footsteps Clothing when their older daughters began raiding their closets, trying on their dresses, jewelry and shoes exclaiming, "I want to be like my Mommy!". What mother doesn't adore hearing those words? When they went out to purchase matching outfits, they discovered there was little to no mother/daughter matching apparel out there. Amber says "When we discovered Larry Tessler (East Bay Score Counselor) by email through www.score.org with our concept, we didn't know how to find products, market on the internet and neither of us had any retail experience. Larry was invaluable (and very patient) in guiding us through every step of the way in starting our company. Even now as we are up and running, he continues to guide us on growth and business matters we might never have thought of. We are so thankful for SCORE!" |
Children's Clothing--------------------------------------------------------
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Beads & Jewelry Making
Bead Inspirations, 1544 Park Street, Alameda, CA |
Bead Inspirations is a retail bead store, selling jewelry-making supplies and classes. Vicki Lapp started teaching jewelry-making classes at her home in 2003, and ,after careful research and planning, opened her store in October, 2004. Her philosophy is that everyone is creative, and she offers a nurturing and encouraging environment to capitalize on this natural creativity.
Vicki Lapp says: " Using SCORE personal counseling and Workshops were immensely valuable in launching my business. The classes taught me critical business aspects, such as marketing and finance. Meeting with SCORE counselors regularly provided reality checks. A counselor with retail experience gave me confidence and found ways to address my potential weaknesses and turn my vision into reality. People who did not know me (at first) cared enough about my success to volunteer time and share knowledge with me. I have tremendous gratitude for their generous support."
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Children's Clothing
Pippen Hill, Park Street, Alameda, CA Angela Brahm, Owner. Tel: 510-814-0712 |
Pippen Hill, which opened in 2003, is a boutique that specializes in unique children's clothing, toys and gifts for newborns through size 6x. Signature lines include Barefoot Dreams, Little Giraffe, TEA clothing & WOW toys. Customers are offered assistance in choosing that special gift, custom gift wrapping, and special ordering.
Angela Brahm says " Meeting with SCORE counselors let me access experienced business people and discuss my Business Plan and goals. They gave me the confidence to move ahead with my business"
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Home Accessories &
Gifts Ellington & French, 2942 Domingo Ave, Berkeley, CA (across from the Claremont Hotel) China McKay, Owner |
Ellington & French is a home decor and gift store which specializes in unique furnishings and antiques, French and Italian handmade dinnerware, sumptuous table and bed linens and many soaps, lotions and potions. Complimentary gift wrapping and gift registry services are offered.
China McKay says: " Having never run my own home decor store, I found the advice and assistance from my SCORE counselor very useful. I received expert help on my Business Plan, adding some topics which I had not considered but which have proven vital. I like knowing I can contact my SCORE counselor at any time for still more advice."
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Pet Accessories Dog Bone Alley, 1342 Park Street, Alameda, CA Dog Bone Alley, 730 Camino Real, Danville, CA (in the Rose Garden) Elizabeth Pinkerton |
Dog Bone Alley is a store dedicated to dogs, cats, and the people who love them. The first location in Alameda, opened in August 2004, offers a wide selection of quality foods, supplies, and accessories for dogs and cats, as well as gifts for the pet lover. The second store opened in 2008 in Danville, CA.
Elizabeth Pinkerton says: "I was amazed at how much SCORE had to offer. I attended several Workshops and worked with Larry Tessler, my SCORE counselor. I received practical detailed information on critical topics like inventory management, human resources, and public relations. The knowledge and tools from SCORE were invaluable in moving my idea from concept to implementation."
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Women's Boutique
FloBell, 402 Railroad Ave, Danville, CA |
Flobell is a women's fashion boutique offering couture quality clothing at ready-to-wear prices. Customers can obtain total outfit solutions, or apply their own creativity by choosing from a range of specially selected designers and styles united by quality, taste and great tailoring. Accessories and jewelry are also available.
Bella Mitchell says: "Selecting fashion is easy. The key to a successful retail operation is understanding the buying process and how to control inventory. My SCORE counselor, Larry Tessler, provided extensive hands-on experience and gave me priceless practical and sound advice. "
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| Day Spa
Spa de Esperanza, LLC,
1564 Solano Ave, Albany, CA 94707 |
Spa de Esperanza LLC opened in May 2005 with 4 employees, offering a complete line of day spa services, skin care consultations and massage therapy. Customers experience increased emotional well being.
Kristina Rodriguez says: "After many years of experience in the spa industry and lots of research and planning, I visited SCORE Counselor Bob Laiks to review my Business Plan. He was able to point out several areas where improvements could be made. He emphasized extensive market research and demographic studies. I appreciate his insight and knowledge. I don't think I could have prepared myself for this big step without his good advice and knowledge of how a small business really operates. Trust that you have the needed determination and drive, but trust SCORE to guide you in your journey. Thanks, Bob ! "
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