Established in 1964 by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) has helped more than 6 million Americans realize their dreams of owning businesses.

SCORE uses the diverse talents and knowledge of its volunteers to offer owners of start-up businesses counseling and guidance, and a variety of workshops to help with planning, accounting, marketing and sales strategies. SCORE volunteers provide the tools to succeed. But it's up to clients to use them.

As chairman of the Naples/Collier County chapter of the Southwest Florida regional office of SCORE, Jack Dwight is one of more than 10,000 SCORE volunteers nationwide. Its ranks include entrepreneurs, managers and executives, most of them retired. They are committed to mentoring and counseling entrepreneurs and small-business owners.

1. What impact has SCORE had on Southwest Florida's small businesses?

In the first six months of 2004, there were more than 9,000 consultations in Southwest Florida. The 45 counselors with the Naples chapter conducted approximately 600 of these sessions. Not all of these will generate a new business, but there's an impressive amount of activity and interest.

2. Have you seen an increase in local small- business start-ups?

With the current climate of economic uncertainty and job insecurity, more people are taking risks to achieve independence and control over their lives. Nationwide, the entrepreneurial spirit is on the upswing. Locally, we have seen an annual increase in our counseling opportunities. Volunteer organizations like SCORE, the potential availability of SBA loans, workshops and increased resources are all part of the present environment that encourages entrepreneurial growth.

3. What does a typical SCORE counselor bring to the table?

We welcome new retirees with open arms. What makes a SCORE volunteer unique is that each counselor's varied expertise is vital to the future success of our clients. SCORE counselors are adept at analyzing potential new businesses and helping people understand the possible risks and rewards. It is not unusual for several volunteers to co-counsel a client, ensuring that they have the benefit of many experts in several aspects of business, such as finance, marketing, human resources, insurance and liability, long-term business planning and sales strategizing.

4. What drives a retired person to become a SCORE volunteer?

For most of our counselors, the lure of retiring to fish or play golf has some appeal, but it doesn't satisfy their inherent need to be creative and productive. I'm proud to be a part of an organization that has a proven impact on the growth of our community.

5. What current business trends do you see in Southwest Florida?

Along with the dramatic growth our community is experiencing come the need and opportunity for new businesses, as well as the potential for a higher success rate. In Collier County, the trend is for service-oriented businesses that are not dependent upon large staffs or large inventories.