SUN CITY – Sun City resident Philip Grisolia has worked 25 years in the publishing industry. He started out “many years ago” for the Chicago Daily News and then spent a career moving from various publications, all the while collecting experience, which molded him into the mentor he is today with the Fox Valley Chapter of SCORE, where he has the opportunity to help entrepreneurs grow their own successful experiences in today’s business world.
SCORE began in 1964 under its full name the Service Corp of Retired Executives to provide sound advice to entrepreneurs. Grisolia said that over the years, the organization reduced its name to only officially using the acronym SCORE. SCORE is a national organization of more than 13,000 retired and employed professionals (about 52% of members are still working) and is an affiliate of the Small Business Administration.
Alone, the Fox Valley Chapter has 80+ volunteers who mentor and provide advice to troubled and start-up businesses in the area. And, most of all, their sage advice is free to business owners and is confidential.
“If you’ve got the best idea since sliced bread, we can help you make it a reality without any risk of somebody else taking your idea and running with it,” said Grisolia, who works as the Marketing Committee Chairman of the local chapter.
Grisolia said that many SCORE members volunteer their time to business owners to “give back.”
“At some point in our various careers, we had mentors,” Grisolia said. “Myself, I’m a consummate teacher.”
Grisolia worked at MCC for 15 years, teaching courses in entrepreneurship and how to start a business, create a business, and grow a business.
According to Grisolia, SCORE volunteers offer a wide range of backgrounds and expertise and are always and actively looking for more mentors.
“Whatever a business needs … we’ve got the ability to provide help. We teach largely through some of the area colleges,” said Grisolia, who does the majority of his counseling at both McHenry and Elgin Community Colleges.
Grisolia said those interested in joining SCORE as mentors should reach him either at 847-347-5220 or PhilsDesk@PhilGrisolia.com for further information.
Membership is free and requires only completion of a brief training program.
Grisolia’s first affiliation with SCORE was 35 years ago. He’s currently worked with the Fox Valley Chapter for about a year and a half, starting after researching how SCORE has developed over the years.
“I was surprised to see the mentors are not guys who are saying to their clients, ‘Well, when I was in the business, I used to do it this way,’” Grisolia said. “These are guys who are dealing in today’s world with today’s knowledge and make it a point to keep current.”
Visit scorefoxvalley.org for more information on the local chapter of SCORE.
