Mentoring is Rewarding
BY DIANE SIEFKES
SCORE Lincoln works with small business owners to help them grow, and mentors are vital to our continued success. Gary Pickering, a longtime local businessman, has been a SCORE mentor since 2018. Learn what Gary says about mentoring.
What is SCORE?
SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant business communities and I help by sharing my experience.
What do you do as a SCORE mentor?
I help people with their business. I provide insight by offering an objective opinion to help the business owner process their ‘best’ next steps.
Explain the application and on-boarding process?
It’s an easy online application, online modules to understand the mentoring process, then three comentoring sessions before flying solo. Other volunteers have different criteria to meet. Each volunteer works with a coach to help them figure out how to navigate the SCORE system and take the next steps.
Describe your time commitment to SCORE?
I spend roughly three hours per week.
How does SCORE provide opportunities for lifelong learning?
Every client is an opportunity to learn about details of another business area.
What is your favorite memory from your time at SCORE?
I have so many “success” stories, but I particularly remember one client who was working from home moving to their storefront. That was a great day!
How have you benefited from this experience?
Knowing I played even a small part in the success of someone’s business just makes me feel good. And every client I work with offers the potential for that feeling.
Audrey Hepburn said it best, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
SCORE Lincoln is looking for volunteers like Gary to help small business owners in our city succeed. Do you have an extra hand? Visit our website, Lincoln. score.org, and become a volunteer.