![Kristel Bell - business owner smiling with a handful of dolls](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_1_1_250w/public/d7_migration/51/Kristel%20Bell%20Headshot%2008.26.21.jpg?itok=e4aypIgq)
My SCORE mentors were critical to my success in launching a STEM Toy company during a pandemic. David Wild, Mary Couzin, Gene Murtha, Elizabeth Hauer, Bruce Ronner, and Bob Strauss's support made the difference I needed to navigate this big toy industry with confidence.
![Owner, Elderberry Elixir, Leny Fralicker at booth](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_1_1_250w/public/2022-11/Facetune_14-03-2020-18-16-32_Original.jpg?itok=X_UqXpJR)
"Find a mentor. You need at least one person you can bounce ideas off of. One person who can provide solid business advice and most importantly, someone who has walked the same path before."
![Pictured from left to right: Karen Foley, Executive Director, Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition; Larry Keating, and Bob Thomas, SCORE volunteer mentors.](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/d7_migration/44/1653323697_HEADER%20IMAGE.jpeg?itok=GptBHCnM)
![Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/2023-07/Habitat%20for%20Humanity_0.png?h=290f1274&itok=bmRaVH8V)
![Diane Miller with PeDIA product](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/2023-07/Diane%20Headshot%20with%20PEDIA.jpg?itok=kS0ko6BS)
![Francine Cazeau Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/2023-07/Francine%20Cazeau.jpg?h=34eb6749&itok=sU-T_vp0)
![Sasha Dawn Utopia Experiences photo](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/2023-07/Sasha%20Dawn.jpg?h=87b0b5ee&itok=5VAEvP5z)
![Kim Rios, from KTNB, presents Green Business Certification to Robert Schymacher, Cleen Green, with John Strom, Northern Nevada SCORE](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/2023-07/Kim%20Rios%2C%20from%20KTNB%2C%20presents%20Green%20Business%20Certification%20to%20Robert%20Schymacher%2C%20Cleen%20Green%2C%20with%20John%20Strom%2C%20Northern%20Nevada%20SCORE%20062823.jpg?h=3df530e1&itok=3SImcD06)
![Marcia Trejo Owner Path To Solutions](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/2023-07/Marcia%20Trejo%20Full%20Face.jpg?h=10a4b233&itok=ogilKtcH)
![Tote Bag with The Cultivated Thread logo displayed](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/2023-06/Tote%20Bag%20%285%29.jpg?itok=7PwVY2l1)
![Abriana](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/2023-06/IMG-1928.jpg?h=1a5da4fa&itok=yAyqoDDC)
![Blue Heaven Cleaning Co-Owners photo](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_16_9_250w/public/2023-06/Blue%20Heaven%20Cleaning%20Co-Founders%20photo.jpeg?h=3e27704a&itok=8trOwtT1)
![Mentor advising small business owner - looking at a laptop together](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_1_1_250w/public/2022-11/SCORE%20Promos%209.jpg?h=187f4409&itok=KDq6OCPF)
Browse through these SCORE mentoring success stories to learn more about the small businesses we've helped. Use the filters below to browse stories by business topic, entrepreneur type, business stage, or industry. Once you've learned how we've helped others, sign up for your mentor today.
Have you found success in your business with the help of a SCORE mentor? Submit your success story to share on SCORE.org. Your company may be profiled in SCORE national marketing and press that can reach millions of people. We're excited to spread the word about your story!