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Remote SCORE Mentoring a Huge Success

Consider It Done Transition Services, Cheryl W. Smith

Title / Role: Owner
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Formed in: 2015
www.consideritdonein.com
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What do you do?

We are transition specialists. We help our clients move through life transitions. This may be a senior who needs to downsize and move, a husband and wife working through a divorce, cleaning a house out after the loss of a loved one, or helping a family get organized so their space feels good. We take the stress of these situations into our hands and help them into the next phase.

What inspired you to start your business?

After being in education for 20 years and then transitioning through the business sector, I landed a job at a funeral home. I was helping families walk through the process after losing a loved one - life insurance, social security, closing bank account, and other tasks that life throws at you after a loss. I woke up one day and realized people need help through this process. That's the first time I reached out to SCORE to help me get started.

What's special about your business?

We develop amazing relationships with our clients which allows them to relax and trust our work. They become family. We are unique in our business model and work to maintain high standards of customer service and professionalism.

What have been the high and low points of being a business owner?

Low points are when we lose clients through the process. Working with older people, that is bound to happen. I also think that not winning a bid makes you wonder what you could have done better. The high point was having been named the 2020 Best New Business of the Year by the local Chamber of Commerce was amazing. It recommended to me that what we do is important. To be recognized and nominated by the community is a thrill

What is your relationship with SCORE? SCORE client How SCORE helped.

Michael Siegel, from the Savannah SCORE chapter, has been an invaluable part of my success. I was connected with him through the SCORE website mostly because of his work in the senior arena. And of course his business and personal assets. Michael has walked with me through this process and has been the biggest cheerleader and the best critic. He forced me to look at my idea through a critical lens before making decisions. He shares the tough realities of business and helps me navigate those potential pitfalls. He picks me up when I feel low are things get tough. Most of all he is an amazing listener, mentor, and friend.

What's great about my mentor?

These mentors want the BEST for me! They bring it ALL to the table so I can be a winner.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting a small business?

You have to have passion for the work. A drive that keeps you going at all hours and through time (Covid). Finding a strong group of people to surround you is also very important. I didn't know it all, but I sure knew who to call to find us and/or guide me in the decision-making process. I also believe very strongly in the power of networking to grow your business.

What have you learned from your experiences as a business owner?

It's very hard work. I never stop learning. Each day presents a new challenge. There is a lot of great experience. I find that I always want to keep pushing the envelope. I never knew I was an entrepreneur. I was a teacher. Little did I realize that being a teacher was the best training I could have had for owning my own business. It's hard every day, but the satisfaction of the work outweighs the hardships.

Additional media
My mentors
Headshot of Michael Siegel
Michael Siegel

Michael has extensive experience in the healthcare industry, homecare, starting and growing...

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Headshot of William G. Bruner III
William G. Bruner III

I can help you in the areas of labor, employment, litigation, and commercial law. My career...

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712 H St NE PMB 98848
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Washington, DC 20002
(812) 379-4457

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Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

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