SCORE Houston's Podcast

SCORE Houston
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SCORE Houston is resource partner for US Small Business Administration. SCORE Houston’s seasoned mentors—former CEOs, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs—offer free, confidential support to help entrepreneurs succeed. Hear real stories, actionable advice, and insights on topics like resilience, adaptability, AI, and Houston’s evolving business landscape. Discover how tapping into SCORE’s collective wisdom can transform your entrepreneurial journey. 

  1. 2H AGO

    Episode 24: Business Plan Basics: What Every First-Time Entrepreneur Needs to Know

    Why do most new businesses fail — and how does a business plan fix that? In this episode of the SCORE Houston Podcast, our mentors walk first-time entrepreneurs through everything they need to know about building a solid business plan — from market research and competitive analysis to pricing, cash flow projections, and financing options. Whether you're just starting to think about launching a business or you're ready to walk into a bank, this episode gives you the practical, no-nonsense foundation you need. What you'll learn: What a business plan actually is (and why it's not just for the bank)How to define your target customer and research your marketHow to analyze your competitionHow to price your product or service to actually make moneyThe truth about working capital and undercapitalizationHow SBA loans, equity, and debt financing workWhat banks really look at: cash flow, repayment, collateral, and creditWhy clean financial records and tax reporting matter from Day 1How SCORE Houston can help you — for free🔗 Get free mentoring from SCORE Houston: https://www.score.org  SCORE is a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration offering free, confidential business mentoring. Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes. Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

    20 min
  2. Episode 23: Starting Small, Thinking Big: How Nicole York Built a Thriving Beauty Studio

    APR 14

    Episode 23: Starting Small, Thinking Big: How Nicole York Built a Thriving Beauty Studio

    From One Room to Rural Business Owner of the Year | Nicole York | Small Business Success Stories.  What does it take to turn a personal struggle into a thriving business? Nicole York did exactly that — and her story will inspire you to bet on yourself. In this episode of Small Business Success Stories, hosted by Dr. Jeffrey Ricken — Certified SCORE Mentor and advocate for entrepreneurs across Houston and beyond — we sit down with Nicole York, founder of Desert Rose Beauty & Wellness in Lake Jackson, Texas. Nicole's journey began at age 12, battling cystic acne that no makeup could hide. By 16 she was working as a receptionist at a local salon, learning the industry from the ground up. Years later, she launched her own esthetics studio in a single room in 2019 — with no sign, no ad budget, and no outside funding. Then COVID hit. Rather than giving up, Nicole pivoted — becoming a brows and lashes specialist and building a 2-month waitlist through Instagram, word-of-mouth, and one simple philosophy: make every client feel truly seen. By 2022 she had expanded to a full-service studio with a team of estheticians and was named the Houston District Rural Business Owner of the Year by SBA. In this episode you'll learn: ✅ How to start a business with no outside funding ✅ How to grow organically through social media & word-of-mouth ✅ How to pivot your business during a crisis ✅ Why authenticity is your biggest competitive advantage ✅ How free SCORE mentorship helped shape Nicole's path Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes. Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

    24 min
  3. Episode 22: From a Kickstarter in Chile to 55 Countries: The re:3D Story with Samantha Snabes

    APR 7

    Episode 22: From a Kickstarter in Chile to 55 Countries: The re:3D Story with Samantha Snabes

    Samantha Snabes is the co-founder and CEO of re:3D, a bootstrapped Austin and Houston-based company that makes industrial-scale 3D printers — manufactured entirely in America. She's also an Air National Guard officer, a former NASA strategist, and the only woman CEO leading a US-based 3D printing hardware company. In this episode, Samantha shares with PV Bala, SCORE Mentor, how a group of friends turned a side project into a globally recognized manufacturing company — from forming an LLC on New Year's Eve to meet a Startup Chile deadline, to getting funded on Kickstarter in 27 hours, to earning multiple SBIR awards from the National Science Foundation. What you'll learn: How re:3D went from a living room to customers in 55+ countries without taking outside investmentWhy field research in Rwanda and Nicaragua shaped a product built for real-world impact, not hypeHow to navigate the SBIR grant process as a first-time applicant, including what to do when you miss the deadlineThe real trade-offs of bootstrapping a hardware company in America — from reinvesting every dollar of profit to maintaining a vertically integrated supply chainHow military service provides unexpected advantages in entrepreneurship, compliance, and leadership.Why printing from recycled plastic waste became both a social mission and a competitive differentiatorSamantha's advice for retired engineers and late-career entrepreneurs entering 3D printing and deep tech. Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes. Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

    35 min

  4. MAR 31

    Episode 21: The Founder's Complete Map- 20 Episodes of Business Wisdom in One Masterclass

    What if you could skip the costliest mistakes in business — before you ever sign a lease or drain your savings? In this special compilation episode, we break down the best insights from 20 SCORE Houston mentorship sessions into one high-impact guide.  You'll learn the "Five Numbers Test" for validating any business idea, why most businesses die from working capital — not bad products, when to form an LLC (and why doing it too early wastes your money), how to build a bulletproof business plan — even if you're self-funded, creative funding strategies including SBA loans and retirement fund rollovers, low-risk sales tactics like the consignment hack and niche marketing, the surprising math behind buying an existing business versus starting from scratch, and the leadership shift every founder must make to scale beyond themselves.  Featuring wisdom from over 135 volunteer business mentors — retired executives, successful entrepreneurs, and industry veterans — this episode is your free masterclass in building, buying, and leading a business that lasts  Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes. Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

    26 min

  5. MAR 17

    Episode 20: How to Buy a Small Business: Valuation, SBA Loans & Seller Financing Explained.

    Should you start a business from scratch, buy an existing one, or invest in a franchise? In this episode of the Score Houston Podcast, host and SCORE mentor PV Bala talks to Jeffrey Jones — President of Advanced Business Brokers, certified business appraiser, and a SCORE mentor with over 35 years of experience helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses in the Houston metro area. Jeff shares insider knowledge on: ·       Why buying a business is statistically safer than starting one (90% of startups fail vs. 70% success rate for acquisitions) ·       How business valuation works — from tangible assets to discretionary earnings and EBITDA multiples  ·       SBA loan requirements, seller financing structures, and how deals actually get funded ·       The role of confidentiality in business transactions and why brokers are essential  ·       What corporate professionals transitioning to entrepreneurship should consider  ·       The Houston business landscape — from restaurants to B2B service companies  ·       Red flags to watch for in financial statements during due diligence  Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a corporate executive exploring business ownership, or a SCORE client looking for guidance on your next move, this conversation delivers decades of real-world brokerage experience in one episode. Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes. Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

    34 min
  6. Episode 19: Technology, Respect & Strategy: How Excargo Services Became Houston's Premier Container Carrier

    MAR 10

    Episode 19: Technology, Respect & Strategy: How Excargo Services Became Houston's Premier Container Carrier

    Join SCORE Houston host and mentor PV Bala in an inspiring conversation with Marcia Faschingbauer, CEO of Excargo Services, as she shares her remarkable 45-year journey building a logistics powerhouse in Houston's male-dominated trucking industry. From starting as a transportation manager in her family's food business to becoming a trailblazer at the Port of Houston, Marcia reveals the strategic decisions, leadership principles, and innovative technology adoption that transformed a struggling startup into one of Houston's premier container carriers. In this episode, discover: ✓ How to transition from a small family business to a 100-employee logistics company ✓ The secret to achieving exceptional driver retention in a high-turnover industry ✓ Why early technology adoption became Marcia's competitive advantage ✓ Essential funding strategies for small business owners—from navigating multiple banks to building creditworthiness ✓ Leadership lessons learned from 45 years in supply chain management ✓ How to survive freight recessions and industry disruption ✓ The importance of focusing on information and people over equipment ✓ Practical advice for entrepreneurs considering the logistics industry Key Highlights: Winner of SBA District Small Business of the Year Award (2025)Texas Trucking Association Leadership Award recipient (2024)Building an inclusive workplace culture in a traditionally male industryNavigating the complexities of Port of Houston operationsWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, small business owner, or logistics professional, Marcia's story offers invaluable insights on perseverance, strategic growth, and building a legacy business in Houston's dynamic industrial landscape. About SCORE Houston: SCORE is America's largest network of volunteer business mentors, supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration. We provide free, confidential mentoring and education to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and succeed. 📍 Visit us: 8701 South Gessner, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77074 📞 Call: 713-487-6565 🌐 Learn more: www.score.org/houston Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes. Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

    32 min
  7. Episode 18: From School Psychologist to Founder: Dr. Dedra Frazier's Small Business Success Story

    MAR 3

    Episode 18: From School Psychologist to Founder: Dr. Dedra Frazier's Small Business Success Story

    What does it take to walk away from a stable career, open a one-room office with borrowed rent money, and build a thriving multi-location business? Dr. Dedra Frazier did exactly that — and the results speak for themselves. In this episode of Small Business Success Stories at SCORE Houston, host and SCORE Mentor Dr. Jeffrey Ricken sits down with Dr. Dedra Frazier, licensed psychologist and founder of Psychology Works, a multi-location mental health practice serving the Pearland and Lake Jackson communities with over 15 providers. Dr. Frazier shares her journey from small-town Sweeney, Texas, to earning her PhD at Texas A&M, working in public school systems, and launching Psychology Works in 2012 during maternity leave. She opens up about the hard lessons of hiring with her heart instead of her bottom line, how free mentoring from SCORE and the Small Business Development Center accelerated her growth, and how faith carried her through fear at every stage. Entrepreneurs and small business owners will gain practical insights on scaling a service business, building a specialized team, and navigating the emotional weight of leadership. SCORE provides free, confidential mentoring to entrepreneurs across the U.S. Visit score.org/houston to connect with a mentor today. Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes. Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

    23 min
  8. Episode 17: Sue McCarron's Home Care Success: A SCORE Mentorship Story with Richard Stanley

    FEB 3

    Episode 17: Sue McCarron's Home Care Success: A SCORE Mentorship Story with Richard Stanley

    Join SCORE mentor Dr. Jeffrey Ricken in an inspiring conversation with Sue McCarron, successful owner of McCarron Home Care and Executive Director of Global Pathways Institute for Caregivers, and her SCORE mentor Richard Stanley, a 19-year veteran volunteer advisor. Discover how Sue transformed from a failed first business attempt in 2013 to building a thriving home healthcare company that broke even in its first year—all with the guidance of SCORE's free mentorship services. Sue shares her journey from having no experience in the home care industry to managing 15 professional caregivers and approaching seven-figure revenues. Richard Stanley, who has mentored entrepreneurs for nearly two decades, reveals the secrets behind successful business startups, including the importance of business planning, building credit, and leveraging SCORE's extensive network of experts in legal, marketing, SEO, and nonprofit management. Key Topics Discussed: Overcoming the challenges of starting a business in an unfamiliar industryThe critical role of mentorship in business successHow to start a business with limited funds and poor creditCreating effective business plans and financial projectionsThe power of SCORE's free resources, webinars, and expert guidanceWhy 70% of businesses fail in the first two years—and how to avoid becoming a statisticWhether you're dreaming of starting your own business or looking to grow an existing one, this episode demonstrates how SCORE's free mentorship can help in entrepreneurial success.  Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes. Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

SCORE Houston is resource partner for US Small Business Administration. SCORE Houston’s seasoned mentors—former CEOs, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs—offer free, confidential support to help entrepreneurs succeed. Hear real stories, actionable advice, and insights on topics like resilience, adaptability, AI, and Houston’s evolving business landscape. Discover how tapping into SCORE’s collective wisdom can transform your entrepreneurial journey. 

Information

  • Creator
    SCORE Houston
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SCORE Houston's Podcast
  • Show Website
    SCORE Houston's Podcast

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