Bill Overview
Title: SCORE for Small Business Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) program, outlines the duties of the SCORE Association, and requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to cooperate with the association to carry out the program. Specifically, the bill requires the association to manage nationwide chapters of the program to enable volunteers participating in the program to provide personal, cost-free business expertise and facilitate education workshops to small businesses. The association must also offer online counseling through web-based platforms to small businesses. In consultation with the association, the SBA must ensure that the program (1) recruits diverse volunteers for each chapter of the program, and (2) provides services to rural and underserved communities.
Sponsors: Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-39]
Target Audience
Population: Small business owners and employees
Estimated Size: 30000000
- The SCORE for Small Business Act of 2022 impacts small businesses across the United States.
- The SCORE program provides personal, cost-free business expertise and facilitates education workshops to small businesses.
- The program offers online counseling through web-based platforms to small businesses, increasing accessibility.
- Small businesses in rural and underserved communities are specifically targeted by the program.
- The pool of retired executives or potential volunteers in the United States who may engage with the SCORE program to provide expertise and mentorship is impacted, promoting broader volunteer diversity.
Reasoning
- The SCORE for Small Business Act of 2022 is designed to support small businesses by providing them access to retired executives' expertise, which can be more beneficial to those with limited resources, such as rural and underserved areas.
- The policy also aims to ensure diverse volunteer participation, potentially leading to a wider range of advice and mentorship that reflects the varied cultural and economic backgrounds of small business owners.
- Since the program is cost-free for its participants, it could significantly reduce financial strain on small business owners looking for expert advice, thus potentially improving their overall wellbeing.
- The policy, with its budget constraints, must focus on maximizing volunteer participation and online outreach to stretch resources efficiently, particularly to reach the intended 30,000,000 small businesses.
- The increase in available expertise and networking opportunities should ideally enhance both immediate and long-term business performance for participants, with a sustained impact on their wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Small Business Owner (Des Moines, Iowa)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this program will be incredibly beneficial for small businesses like mine.
- Access to business expertise can help us overcome rural challenges and expand our customer reach.
- If they manage to get experienced mentors, we could seriously improve our operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Tech Startup Founder (San Francisco, California)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For startups in tech, mentorship is crucial, and while I have access to resources here, free expert advice is always welcome.
- However, I feel the impact might be lower, given the plethora of options already available in tech hubs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freelance Graphic Designer (Austin, Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanding my clientele could be easier with the right mentorship on online marketing.
- Online counseling sounds perfect for my remote working style.
- Hoping this addresses the scale issues I face due to marketing knowledge gaps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Executive (New York, New York)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a fantastic opportunity for me to share my experience with businesses that could benefit from insights I accumulated over decades.
- It's rewarding to contribute to diverse communities and see them thrive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Restaurant Owner (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting expert advice for zero cost could help better manage finances and operations.
- With the competition around, innovative ideas from experienced mentors are crucial for survival.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Nonprofit Founder (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our nonprofit lives by the expertise we bring in, and this will be an invaluable addition.
- Leveraging online avenues more effectively with guidance can substantially aid our cause.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Auto Repair Shop Owner (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen my business change over the decades, and adapting to online and new marketing techniques isn't easy alone.
- With someone to guide us, I believe we can catch up with the digital age and reach a broader audience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small-scale Manufacturer (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mentorship on managing logistics could help me resolve ongoing supply chain problems.
- Sustainable practices are not always easy to implement alone; advice from those who have seen success would be critical.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Little Rock, Arkansas)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting business management skills through mentorship would pave the way for my consultancy.
- While currently focusing on writing, seeing how I'll be equipped practically by this is exciting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Local Shop Owner (Helena, Montana)
Age: 55 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 9.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tourism has its ups and downs; getting advise to stabilize through online presence is something I look forward to.
- The support from those who have transitioned successfully to online sales is invaluable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $32000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $37000000)
Year 3: $34000000 (Low: $29000000, High: $39000000)
Year 5: $38000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $42000000)
Year 10: $45000000 (Low: $38000000, High: $52000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $115000000)
Key Considerations
- The program requires close cooperation between the SBA and SCORE to effectively implement volunteer and service initiatives.
- Potentially larger impact in rural and underserved communities can address economic inequality and promote local development.
- Volunteer recruitment, management, and training present non-trivial logistical challenges that must be considered.