Small Business Trends

Washington, DC (PRESS RELEASE – December 4, 2008) – SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” and The UPS Store® announce a free online workshop to help small business owners develop a marketing strategy, build their brand and find the best shipping options.

The new course at www.score.org provides entrepreneurs with guidance in several areas:

-  Defining your target market
-  Building your brand identity
-  Creating your marketing strategy
-  Building a Web site & using the Internet
-  Fulfilling orders & handling shipping

SCORE offers 40 online workshops for free to help with starting, managing and growing a business. Visit www.score.org and click on “Learn Online.”

In addition, SCORE recently created a free 24-page workbook, 10 Simple Steps to Finding Customers…and Delivering the Goods, presented by The UPS Store. This guide is free and available at local SCORE offices. Find SCORE near you by using your ZIP code or city and state at www.score.org/findscore.

SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, “SCORE and The UPS Store have developed resources that can help with reaching new customers and keeping them satisfied during a difficult economy.” Yancey adds, “This workshop is a quick and easy way to help entrepreneurs gather information, find opportunities and increase sales.”

“As small business owners themselves, our franchisees understand the challenges and opportunities of running a business,” says Stuart Mathis, president of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS company, and franchisor of The UPS Store. “Franchisees use their experiences to help ease the struggles and stresses of their small business customers,” Mathis adds.

With more than 4,300 locations nationwide, The UPS Store network offers convenience and expertise in shipping and business services, including: full-service packing and shipping through UPS; mailbox services; black-and-white and color duplications; finishing services; office/packaging supplies; postal services; and notary services. For more information, visit www.theupsstore.com.

Since 1964, SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” has helped more than 8 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE on the Web at www.score.org .