Maybe you would like to use a business professional as a sounding board for opening a new business segment, launching a new product or starting an entirely new business. Using your accountant or attorney could cost a few bucks. It would be nice if you could do this for free. There might be just a way. SCORE, at www.score.org, is "Counselors to America's Small Businesses," a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small businesses. 

The website is loaded with articles concerning many issues that small businesses need to tackle on a regular basis. You can search for experts, including retired or still-active business owners, executives and counselors, and email them your questions. Also you can go to their offices and have face-to-face meetings with their counselors. One of their clients was Vermont Teddy Bear Company, which ranked 21 in Inc.'s fastest-growing public companies in 1994.