Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit, but are unsure how to go about starting your own business? Or, do you need help growing your existing small business?

The Dallas Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) conducts free, confidential business counseling every Tuesday morning at the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.

SCORE was founded in 1964 and is a national, nonprofit association made up of a network of 14,000 retired executives dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

More than 60 men and women volunteer at SCORE's 11 Dallas-area offices, including Richard Stringer, who provides the counseling at the Richardson Chamber. Last year Stringer held 109 one-hour counseling sessions at the Chamber, and handled another 243 cases via e-mail.

“My greatest joy is in helping an individual start a business and see the individual prosper,” Stringer said.

Before moving to Dallas and becoming a SCORE counselor five years ago, Stringer had a 35-year career with Exxon which took him all over the world. He has also started several small businesses, including a specialty chemical manufacturing company, of which he was a minority owner and director.

An example of the kind of assistance Stringer has provided is Helio Martinez of Quince Tree Service. Martinez had been in the tree service business for 22 years when an injury limited his ability to climb trees. Stringer helped him start his own business where he could continue to apply his skills.

The Dallas SCORE Chapter also holds a workshop on the last Saturday of each month titled “How to Start and Manage a Small Business.” The cost is $50 per person.

For more information, visit the SCORE's Dallas Chapter's Web site at http://www.dallas-score-22.org or call the Chamber at 972-234-4141.