Sam's Club SCOREs a partnership to benefit small businesses

Sam's Club is teaming up with a national nonprofit dedicated to mentoring small business owners to launch the 2016 American Small Business Championship.



The SCORE competition is open to small business owners and entrepreneurs from coast to coast with one winner receiving a $25,000 grand prize.



"We are excited to work with Sam’s Club for the second year in a row and honor even more small businesses across the country for their hard work and dedication," said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. "The Championship is truly unique because it not only provides funds, but also access to training and mentoring so that Championship winners can take their success to the next level."



Kicking off Jan. 21 with an open call for applications, The American Small Business Championship will award 102 small businesses, two in every state and the District of Columbia, for their dedication to the success of their business. The Small Business Champions will receive a $1,000 Sam's Club gift card, an all-expense-paid trip to a regional training event, SCORE mentoring for one year, and promotion throughout the year showcasing each Champion's story.



One Grand Champion will be selected from the group of 102 Champions to win $25,000. A judging panel of small business experts will name the Grand Champion based on how effectively they utilize the Sam’s Club gift card and the SCORE regional training events.



A $595,000 grant from Sam's Club to SCORE not only supports the 102 Champions with resources and training, but also allows SCORE to host three regional training events for an additional 1,500 small business owners throughout 2016. The regional training events will take place in Phoenix, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. from March through May 2016.



Last year, Sam's Club and SCORE rewarded 102 small business owners through the Championship, including Ciara Stockeland, owner of MODE, who said, "As an award winner of the Championship, I was able to attend the Summit which connected me with other SCORE clients. This was an encouragement and great learning experience. I was also able to use my award to purchase much needed supplies and technology pieces for our warehouse. Our team was thrilled to be recognized as a Champion business."



"Every entrepreneur has a unique story of sacrifice and perseverance. At Sam's Club, we hear these stories first hand from our business members every day. By working with SCORE again, we hope we can set them up with the training and resources they need to successfully manage their small business," said Don Frieson, executive VP for operations at Sam's Club. "We look forward to celebrating America's Small Business Champions because we know small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstone of every community."