SCORE Helps Entrepreneurs Turn Cool Idea into Hot Business 
 
What could be more fun for kids than a party that includes games, dancing and making sundaes in a 1950s-style ice cream parlor?  And what could be easier for parents than having somebody else handle all the planning, set-up and cleaning?

That's the vision that Michelle Violetto had for Little Scoops in early 2001.  Nearly five years later, she and business partner Tanya Ehrlich have hosted hundreds of parties and opened nine additional locations. 

As one of Entrepreneur Magazine's "Hot New Franchises for 2005," Little Scoops is on its way to becoming something big.

None of this would have happened, Michelle says, without the help of volunteer counselors Peter Gordy and Marty Kahn of SCORE's Rockland Chapter.

"We have lots of female friends who have started their own businesses. We refer them all to SCORE."

-Michelle Violetto, co-owner, Little Scoops

Peter and Marty helped them develop their business plan, set up finances and evaluate potential locations for the first Little Scoops shop, which opened in September 2002 in Blauvelt, NY.

As Little Scoops' popularity grew, Michelle and Tanya began thinking about franchising.

"Peter and Marty put us in touch with people who helped us with the legal and management aspects of franchising," Tanya says.  "We're now making preparations to go national, and we will exhibit at the International Franchise Association's convention next year."

Michelle adds that anyone interested in entrepreneurship will find everything they need at SCORE.  "We have lots of female friends who have started their own businesses," she says.  "We refer them all to SCORE.  It's a great organization."