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GET INVOLVED
Volunteer with SCORE
Support small businesses in your community. SCORE is looking for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to serve in a variety of roles — from knowledgeable business mentors to local community advocates.
Carlton Chen,
SCORE Volunteer Mentor
"Volunteering at SCORE was my way of paying it forward. But I was pleasantly surprised. As a SCORE Mentor and Subject Matter Expert, I've learned so much from my fellow volunteers, its business clientele, and the wealth of resources offered. Simply said, SCORE's business model really works. If you can be a SCORE volunteer or client, don't miss out. Either way, you'll learn a lot!!"
Mentor Tim Douglas with client Dena Schaffer Krebs of Creations Reimagined
Why Walk Away from Free Expert Business Advice?
SCORE business mentors can help you start, grow, or transition your business. Enter your zip code below to get matched with a business expert near you!
SCORE is dedicated to helping AAPI entrepreneurs achieve their business goals.
Asian-American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) own one in 10 American businesses. Highly reliant on self and community, their work ethic produces the highest average small business receipts of any ethnic group.
Despite these achievements, AAPI entrepreneurs face racial discrimination and harassment that challenges their success and interferes with hiring employees, attracting customers, and accessing financing. AAPI women business owners are particularly affected.
Of the 3,800 anti-Asian hate acts reported since the pandemic, 38% occurred in businesses.
Asian-Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE) June 2021 Survey.
A third of AAPI business owners feel disadvantaged due to their race and nearly a third have been criticized for their accent or manner of speech.
Asian-Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE) June 2021 Survey.
The majority are small business: 90% of them are employed at companies with fewer than 500 employees, and 75% at companies with fewer than 100 employees.
Asian-Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE) June 2021 Survey.
GET FREE BUSINESS ADVICE
From Experienced Mentors
SCORE business mentors can help you start, grow, or transition your business. Enter your zip code above to get matched with a business expert near you!
"There is nothing as gratifying as seeing a client's eyes light up when they suddenly get it. It could be a solution to a vexing problem, or insight into an opportunity they hadn't seen before. Mentoring allows me to leverage everything I have learned and to make a tangible difference to our clients in their entrepreneurial journeys."
Mary Tan,
SCORE Volunteer Mentor
AAPI Entrepreneurs Who Turned to SCORE as a Partner in Their Success
With SCORE by your side, you don't have to go it alone. SCORE has helped countless AAPI entrepreneurs find success in their small businesses. See how SCORE has helped some of the small business owners start and grow their small businesses. Yours could be the next success story!
Thompson Tee
“Never let them see you sweat” may be an adage to most of us, but to entrepreneurs Randy Choi and Billy Thompson, it’s motivation for going into business.
Great Wine
Lin, rather than tell people what they should like, encourages people to speak their minds – and then creates delicious wine based on what they say.
Vegan Distribution
Vegan Distribution was started by a group of friends with a shared dream of “creating a compassionate and sustainable food system,” says owner Sharon Lu.
Resources for Asian American and Pacific Islander Entrepreneurs
Check out resources created especially for AAPI business owners.
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AAPI Small Business Grants through Reimagine Main Street
Reimagine Main Street is currently taking applications, through July 26, 2022, for AAPI grant applicants. The grant is designed to support AAPI entrepreneurs from challenges they may have faced or are still dealing with from the pandemic.
Vegan Distribution Q&A
AAPI Entrepreneur, Vegan Founder, and Animal Lover Shares Their Advice for Business Success
Expert Insights for Asian American and Pacific Islander Small Business Owners
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month we are joined by three speakers who will be sharing tips, strategies, and information that can help grow your business. Read more
9 AAPI Business Owners Share Their Secrets To Success
From adopting solid business practices to working with a goal-oriented mindset, there are several success secrets shared by AAPI business owners.
11 Tips on How to Handle Challenges and Overcome Adversity as an Asian Entrepreneur
From evaluating yourself to asking for help, there are several tips for overcoming adversity as an Asian entrepreneur.
11 Ways to be an Ally for Asian Professionals and Business Owners
From breaking down the AAPI monolith to empowering Asian leaders, there are many ways to be an ally for Asian business owners.
12 Professional Networks for AAPI Professionals or Entrepreneurs
From the National ACE to Asian Wander Women, there are several AAPI professional networks for entrepreneurs to join.
8 Resources To Help AAPI Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses
From joining the Asian Professional Exchange to finding a mentor, there are several resources to help AAPI small businesses.
Thriving as an AAPI Business Owner: Common Challenges and Solutions
Real-world solutions to common challenges can make a real impact for AAPI business owners.
Steps to Help Small AAPI Business Owners
Asian American and Pacific Islander community play an integral role in America’s small business economy. We explore five great ways you can support them.
How to Get Certified as a Minority-Owned Business
Getting your business officially certified as minority-owned can open important contract opportunities.