“I found out that I needed to get busy and help others,” said Laurenceau, who has counseled 50 potential entrepreneurs in various industries from the organization’s Manhattan office. It wasn’t long before Laurenceau realized that her services were needed in Jamaica, where small businesses are found on almost every block. She quickly collaborated with leaders of the Manhattan SCORE chapter to find an office near the Jamaica business district.
   Several weeks ago, she obtained a spot in the NYC Business Solutions office, located in a state owned building at 168 46 91st Ave., to counsel clients who walk in or are referred by NYC Business Solutions employees. Frank Agrusa, an account executive for NYC Business Solutions, said Laurenceau has been an added bonus to the company, which has helped start up numerous businesses since September 2004.
   Among NYC Business Solutions’ day to day visitors, Agrusa said a small percentage of people “don’t know exactly what they want to get into.” That’s where Laurenceau’s counseling takes the wheel.
   Divulging her in depth counseling tactics, Laurenceau said she digs for specific details from clients to find out exactly what kind of product they want to sell. Once a clear cut idea is reached, she finds out if they need more experience working with their proposed products.
   For example, if someone wanted to open a jewelry store, Laurenceau will evaluate how much experience is needed to work in the diamond industry. Also, if a client needs specialized training in computer software or other technical work, she directs them to the NYC Workforce1 Career Center — an employment and training resource outfit located on the same floor — to register for classes.
   Those with enough experience and training are given a 16 page business plan to fill out and present to banks for possible loans. The plan requires clients to give a description of their proposed business, probable inventory and projected profits. Laurenceau counsels clients through the business plan process before laying out the steps to seek loans and business properties. “There’s a lot of information you have to put down that requires study,” she said.
   Laurenceau currently meets with walk in clients from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Thursday, and she is available by appointment throughout the week. She is also trained to counsel current business owners seeking advertising and marketing tips.
   Since establishing a post in Jamaica, Laurenceau has counseled two potential business owners. She feels confident that her office “will have a larger crowd” as more people find out about her location.
   The new Jamaica office reflects Service Corps Of Retired Executives’ goal of attaining a larger presence in Queens. There is currently one SCORE chapter in Kew Gardens, but it has been dormant due to underuse and the advancing age of its five volunteer counselors, said Alvin Roslein, district director for Service Corps’ New York City chapters. Along with a chapter in Manhattan and Queens, there is a chapter in Brooklyn and one in Staten Island.
   Roslein added that the Manhattan chapter may merge with the Queens chapter to help recruit more counselors and establish additional offices in Queens. The Manhattan office is already planning to open a branch in Long Island City.
   Roslein said that as expansion plans evolve, he will know which other neighborhoods to target, especially when it comes to counseling current business owners who want to become more successful. “There are so many businesses we could be helping,” he said.
   For more information about SCORE in Jamaica, call Laurenceau at (718) 557 6742 or (212) 264 4507. Residents can also e mail her at laurenceau@scorenyc.org.