David Maaske, chapter chair and incoming SCORE Wisconsin District director
Organization name: SCORE SE Wisconsin, Chapter 28
Organization address: 310 W. Wisconsin, Suite 585, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Website: www.scoresewisconsin.org
Industry: Nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration
Number of employees: 70
Family: Married, six adult children, eight grandchildren
What kinds of services and expertise does SCORE offer small businesses and entrepreneurs?
“The chapter volunteers provide confidential no-charge business counseling and mentoring in person, online and/or by telephone to those planning to go into business and to existing small businesses on all aspects of business planning, management and growth.
“In addition, SCORE conducts low-cost business training and seminars on business topics customized to the needs of the local business communities in southeastern Wisconsin. The chapter also provides information on all aspects of business, which is provided free to the small business community. The chapter maintains a website with links and resources for aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses.”
What’s new at SCORE?
“SCORE SE Wisconsin is planning the Wisconsin Businesses Innovation Forum—Growing, Running and Transforming Your Business. We have an exciting list of innovative business thought leaders as speakers and discussion leaders. It will be on Oct. 1 at the Hilton City Center downtown.”
Why does southeastern Wisconsin need an organization like SCORE?
“Wisconsin continues to lag behind neighboring states in business start-ups. SCORE helps start-ups as well as existing small businesses.
“In 2014 SCORE provided the following results:
•Conducted 2,090 mentoring sessions
•Provided 84 local workshop sessions with 2,299 in attendance and
•346 new businesses were started and 306 new jobs were created by clients.
“A great example of a small business that SCORE mentored is the 2015 SBA Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Small Business award winner, Krista Galbraith, K&S Tool, Die & Manufacturing, Inc., Ixonia. K&S provides specialized tool and die services for a wide range of industries. K&S’s President, Krista Galbraith, whose background was nursing, assisted by SCORE mentor Chuck O’Brien transitioned the company to a new level of achievement by focusing on key metrics and developing strong systems and procedures.”
What compelled you to join the organization?
“I was looking for a way to give back to my community and to continue to utilize the strategic planning and marketing skills that I developed during my career. SCORE has helped me stay current in the rapidly changing business world and it has been very rewarding helping entrepreneurs achieve their business goals.
“As the chapter chair I have learned new leadership skills, especially on how to lead an all-volunteer organization. The national SCORE Association provides training for volunteers and for its leaders.”
What will be SCORE’s main challenges in the next year?
“As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration SCORE, receives nominal funding support. That support is very limited so we increasingly rely on local sponsors and partnerships to support our mission.
“Many public, private and online organizations provide business training and mentoring. Some services are excellent quality and some are free to clients. SCORE provides free mentoring and charges very nominal fees for local workshops. Our national network of mentors contains experienced business leaders from virtually any industry and business discipline. Our website allows clients to search for mentors with relevant experience in our network or local mentors can connect clients with those mentors.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“The mission of SCORE is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, and Steve Blank and Eric Ries, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, are favorites.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“The best advice that I received and that I can give a business is to be truly customer focused—on both external and internal customers.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“In addition to SCORE, I spend time with my family, church activities, gardening, exercising and golfing.”
