In an unprecedented effort to expand year-round support for small business growth and success, Sam’s Club and the Sam’s Club Giving Program (http://www.samsclub.com/giving) have forged a collaboration with national non-profit SCORE to provide more than $500,000 in supplies, training and holiday spirit to 102 U.S. small businesses (two in each state plus Washington, DC).

The grant to SCORE will provide each business owner with access and travel to a two-day educational event to help them implement strategies to grow their business. The grant will also fund three regional educational workshop events in 2013 hosted by SCORE for any small business in those regions. Combined, these events aim to reach over one thousand small businesses. The 102 small businesses in the Sam’s Club Holiday Giving campaign were chosen in part by local SCORE chapters based on each business’s need and commitment to ongoing learning and growth. To see a full list of small businesses benefitting from the Sam’s Club – SCORE alliance, visit SamsClub.com/giving.

Baby Be Hip in Philadelphia is one of two businesses selected from Pennsylvania. Founded in 2002 by Colleen Mook, Baby Be Hip (http://www.babybehip.com/) is a web-based retailer offering personalized baby gifts that are fun, functional, and fabulous. The business began with personalized burp cloths and has since expanded the product line to include and wide variety of necessities and accessories that new parents consistently love and use.

Each business will receive a $1,000 Sam’s Club gift card in addition to training through SCORE, an organization dedicated to helping small businesses grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.
“Working with SCORE has provided a foundation to help my business grow,” said Colleen Mook, owner of Baby Be Hip. “The access to tools for my business from Sam’s Club and the additional training will really help me take my business to the next level.”

“Our collaboration with SCORE allows Sam’s Club to provide the tools and goods that small business owners need to enter the New Year with increased confidence and optimism,” said John Boswell, senior vice president of marketing, member insights and ecommerce for Sam’s Club. “Everyday our associates strive to positively impact the lives of small businesses that are so important to the fabric and success of our country. The Christmas season is certainly no exception.”

The 102 businesses were selected by SCORE based on each business’ need and commitment to ongoing learning and growth. SCORE will utilize the grant from Sam’s Club to sponsor a two-day “High Speed Growth Seminar” especially for the 102 winners, a special training program featuring key executives and workshops on attracting customers, branding, online marketing and developing a sales plan. The grant will also fund continued regional and local training for these businesses with SCORE mentors.
“Small businesses truly are the backbone of our economy, particularly during lean times,” said W. Kenneth Yancey, Jr., CEO, SCORE. “With the support of Sam’s Club this holiday season, these small businesses will be in a position to take the critical next step in their evolution.”

Read the entire press release here.