Eight Million Entrepreneurs Served

SCORE, the nationwide resource for budding small-business owners, marks a 44-year milestone.

SCORE, an all-volunteer organization offering free guidance for budding entrepreneurs, this week served its eight millionth client.

Dubbing itself the "Counselors to America's Small Business," the group has offered tips on everything from start-up financing to exit strategies since 1964, and today boasts over 10,500 volunteer business counselors.

The group estimates that the 1.1 million hours of free services it's provided throughout the years has saved small businesses over $167.3 million. Last year alone, SCORE helped launched more than 19,000 businesses, the group reported.

"Every entrepreneur should take the opportunity to connect with a SCORE mentor," SCORE Chair Paul Kopelcheck said in a statement. "During challenging economic times, it's particularly important to round out skills with another perspective," he said.