SCORE Hawaii has helped many small and medium size businesses achieve their goals.

Your success is our success we believe the strength of Hawaii's economy is the success of our small business community.

SCORE Has Helped 7.5 Million Small Businesses 
We've helped Vermont Teddy Bear, Vera Bradley Designs, Jelly Belly Candy. More successes.
Live Your Dream, SCORE Can Help.

• SCORE offers Ask SCORE email advice online.

• Face-to-face small business counseling at 389 chapter offices.

• Low-cost workshops at 389 chapter offices nationwide.

• "How to" articles and business templates.

Our Partners Aid Mission 
SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

To: Dennis Bunda, SCORE Counselor- Hawaii

Aloha, Dennis,   

I remain totally in your debt for the wonderful meeting we had yesterday.  Your insights into what we are trying to do as a new business, and the ways in which you defined the steps that we have to take to become a successful group, are beacons in the night.  Your definition of my role in this was especially helpful, as it gave me insights I never even thought of in my quest to organize a group of loving people into a viable and long-term non-profit company. 

The paperwork is daunting, but I have two people willing to help get it done, and while there are people who want everything done yesterday, most are willing to make sure it is done properly from the beginning to ensure that long-term success. 

Your idea of using the for-profit business plan to maintain our sustainability will open doors not even thought of prior to our meeting, and as we keep this as simple as possible while developing, will become more and more important as time goes on.  Instead of the panic and chaos we have seen in other groups, we all wish for a more settled, intelligent outlook, so my job becomes important on two fronts: reining in the wild horses, and kicking in the rear those who would lag behind. 

Being a caregiver, not only for husband, kids, grandkids, extra kids, many senior citizens, all sorts of animals, and maybe even myself once in a while, has given me the ability to be a problem-solver, risk-taker, and "visionary" (your word, but I love it!).  Combined with your amazing talent, experience, and insights, you and I will always be THE definition of this new group. 

What a pleasure it is was meeting you, and I thank you for being there when I needed you most. 

Sincerely, Marli Holden

Aloha SCORE,

Four years ago I was contemplating the idea of starting my own business. I had and idea and recipe but wasn’t sure what to do next. I decided to do a little research and found myself at the local chapter of the Small Business Resource Center in Honolulu. What a gold mine of information.

I signed up for a course, Micro Enterprise 101, which gave me the basics on starting a business in Hawaii. They also recommended seeing a counselor at SCORE. I made an appointment and luckily met up with Michael Herb.

Mr. Herb was very helpful answering a lot of questions I had about manufacturing a product here in Hawaii. My biggest dilemma was where to do this without investing tens of thousands of dollars. He told me about the culinary incubator system run by the Pacific Gateway Center.

They pointed me in the right direction and within a month we were manufacturing our first product, Original Recipe Hawaiian Fudge Sauce.

Since then, we have created eight different flavors in several sizes. Two of the flavors use chocolate made with cacao from Hawaii. We’ve made products for local restaurants and businesses. Sell our products all over the state of Hawaii in fine stores and military outlets. We have a website (www.hawaiianfudgesauce.com) were customers can learn about our business and products and of course order our products.

Our business is doing great and is headed in the right direction. I must say the SBRC and SCORE have done a wonderful job to point us in that direction. Mahalo Mike Herb!

Dan Belmont

President, Hawaiian Fudge Sauce Co.