SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties recently celebrated some of its clients during its annual Small Business Achievement Awards. SCORE recognized six businesses — two from Chester County, three from Delaware County and one from Lancaster County.
The awards program was started back in 2010 to recognize entrepreneurs who start or grow their businesses while working with SCORE — reaching out for mentoring from the organization and demonstrating vision, innovation and achievement.
The six entrepreneurs were recognized June 6 during an awards event at Penn Oaks Golf Club in Thornbury Township, Chester County — an event that celebrated the “milestone accomplishments of entrepreneurs who are working closely with their SCORE mentors,” according to a press release.
“Our winners provide excellent examples of how success can be achieved through a clear vision of the business goals and a plan to execute step-by-step to deliver results,” Mercedes Diaz, SCORE mentor and awards program leader, said in a statement.
This year’s award winners represent diverse backgrounds and segments, including minority- and woman-ownership, SCORE said in the release.
Four of this year’s winners were recognized for their diligent ‘strategic focus’ during startup and early-stage business development. Two previous SCORE award winners were recognized again — for growth and expansion of their markets or services.
Recognized by SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties for 2024 are:
• Alicia Goldy — Balia Nanny Referral Agency, Cochranville, Chester County. Formed in 2019, the company identifies nannies for families, handling background screening, interviews and providing support to the families as they go through the hiring process, including workload expectations, pay, benefits and legal requirements.
https://www.score.org/chesterdelco/success-story/balia-nanny-referral-agency
• Hema Ravindran and Raj Kamal Singh — KiposTech LLC, Columbia, Lancaster County. Formed in 2022, the company developed a versatile non-thermal plasma disinfection system. KiposTech LLC has a patent pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: “Plasma-based fluid disinfection device,” published August 2023.
https://www.score.org/chesterdelco/success-story/kipostech-llc
• Mary and Bob Szybist — Pivot Mindset Program, Media, Delaware County. Formed in 2023, the company provides high-impact leadership programs that support organization well-being and engagement, according to information on SCORE’s website.
https://www.score.org/chesterdelco/success-story/pivot-mindset-program
• Jarrett Muzi — West Chester Hoops, West Chester, Chester County. Formed in 2022, the company offers a community-based basketball program for youth.
https://www.score.org/chesterdelco/success-story/west-chester-hoops
• Annette Pyatt and Larry Douglas — Chester Community Improvement Project, Chester, Delaware County. Formed in 1978, the nonprofit organization assists low- and moderate-income families with home ownership counseling programs in the City of Chester and throughout Delaware County.
The organization was awarded a 2021 SCORE Small Business Achievement Award for its implementation of a transition in its service model from one-to-one in-person to 100% virtual programming when the COVID pandemic hit. The organization has continued to evolve as the housing market has changed.
https://www.score.org/chesterdelco/success-story/chester-community-improvement-project-ccip
• Julie Sebastian — Julie Sebastian Softball and Fitness LLC, Newtown Square, Delaware County. Formed in 2018 with the goal of teaching softball to young girls and molding them into professional athletes, the business has evolved to include fitness classes and working with teams. Sebastian received a 2019 SCORE Small Business Achievement award.
https://www.score.org/chesterdelco/success-story/julie-sebastian-softball-and-fitness-llc
This year’s Small Business Achievement Awards event was a little bit different. The SCORE team updated its award ceremony format to allow for networking and the chance for winners to meet community partners and each other, according to Maria Smith, marketing and community development for SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties. In addition, the event was moved to the evening rather than a luncheon.
Keynote speaker for the event was Dave Spadaro, host of Eagles Insider — a Philadelphia Eagles podcast — who shared insights and strategy tips with attendees.
The 2024 award winners were selected from a group of nominations by their SCORE mentors.
SCORE is a network of volunteer business experts dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals.
Its “One SCORE” approach enables local mentors to connect with more than 10,000 volunteer business professionals across the U.S. to ‘meet clients where they are’ in their process, and throughout the life of their business, the organization said. Over time, SCORE is assisting more and more clients across county and state lines.
“Virtual meeting technology and recorded business training have enabled an efficient sharing model to reach entrepreneurs and business owners anytime, anywhere,” the press release stated.
Active since 1985, SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties has a team of 100 volunteers providing confidential mentoring at no charge. To find a SCORE mentor visit score.org/chesterdelco/local-mentors. To volunteer with SCORE visit www.score.org/page/volunteer-score.
Source: Berkshire mont