Empowered by SCORE: How Business Mentorship Helped Us Thrive

Our Journey with SCORE

At Joshua Allen Design, we owe a significant part of our growth and success to SCORE and our long-standing business mentor, Paul McCarthy. SCORE is an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners—one that we wholeheartedly endorse. From the very beginning, the knowledge, guidance, and consistent support we received from Paul and this program have played a defining role in shaping our business.

The mentorship we’ve experienced has not only provided strategic business insight but also fostered countless candid, encouraging conversations that helped us build confidence and clarity in our journey as business owners.

Why We Turned to SCORE

When we launched our business, we were navigating unfamiliar waters. We had passion, creativity, and vision—but very little practical business knowledge. That’s when we turned to SCORE. We needed expert guidance, and we found exactly that through our mentor, Paul McCarthy. From our very first meeting, Paul brought a solution-oriented, practical perspective to every conversation. His mentorship helped us navigate the business world and provided us with a roadmap to handle any and all challenges ahead.

Where We Started

Our relationship with SCORE began in November 2018, when we first connected with Paul McCarthy. Since then, we’ve built a steady rhythm of check-ins, emails, and strategic meetings. Paul has been a constant, reliable presence—offering insight, encouragement, and expertise with every interaction. The ideal SCORE mentor for anyone looking to take a leap of faith and begin their dream business. 

Where We Are Today

More than seven years since that first conversation, we’ve grown from a budding interior design firm into a thriving business with two distinct branches: Joshua Allen Design, our full-service interior design studio, and Sterling & Maple Design House, a complementary brand that curates distinctive home goods and furnishings. Together, these businesses have helped hundreds of clients reimagine their spaces with style, intention, and heart.

Over the years, we’ve faced our share of challenges—from navigating a global pandemic and managing financial uncertainty to organizing community events and resolving HR issues. At every turn, Paul has offered us the kind of grounded, experienced perspective that small businesses so desperately need. His support has helped us stay focused, optimistic, and aligned with our long-term goals.

One Defining Highlight

Perhaps the greatest gift that SCORE offers is connection—to a mentor who genuinely cares about your business, your success, and your wellbeing. In Paul, we found a mentor who feels more like an unofficial business partner, someone who’s always in our corner, ready to offer thoughtful guidance, no matter the situation. That kind of support is invaluable, especially for small business owners who often face big decisions in isolation.

Our Enduring Gratitude

We are proud to be a part of the SCORE story and deeply grateful for the role this program, and Paul McCarthy specifically, has played in our journey. To any aspiring entrepreneur or small business owner, we say this: connect with SCORE. It just might be the most valuable business decision you ever make.

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