Free help for Fullerton business owners: SCORE, SBDC, SBA and the chamber

There are several organizations that help small business owners, and some of it costs nothing. Here is what each one says it offers, in its own words, and what the pages do not tell you.

Last checked: October 10, 2026 Sources: SCORE, SBA, SBDC, North Orange County Chamber About a 4 minute read

Who helps, and what they say

SCORE Orange County

SCORE Orange County says it offers free business mentoring across Orange County. Its page says "Mentoring is always free, for the life of your business." It also runs workshops. Some are free and some cost $10, such as an HR session. You can request a mentor on its page or call (714) 550-7369. Its office is in Santa Ana.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The Orange County Inland Empire SBDC, as described on a Rancho Santiago Community College District page, offers "confidential one-on-one expert business consulting," training from webinars to cohort programs, and help with website and search visibility. The page says "all of our services are at no cost to you." It lists (800) 616-7232 and an online appointment link.

The SBA's resource partners

The SBA describes SCORE, SBDCs, Women's Business Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers as offering counseling, training and mentoring. It says SCORE mentors give advice at no cost and Women's Business Centers offer "free, to low-cost counseling and training." For veterans and women owners, these centers may be worth a look.

North Orange County Chamber

The chamber represents Buena Park, Fullerton, La Palma and Stanton and calls itself an advocate and resource for the business community. The City of Fullerton lists it at 444 N. Harbor Blvd., Suite 200, Fullerton, (714) 871-3100.

Where to start

Pick the question you have. A mentor from SCORE suits a general question about running the business. An SBDC consultant suits planning, marketing or financing questions.
Book one appointment. Use SCORE's request form or the SBDC's appointment link. Bring your questions and any numbers you have.
Ask what is free. Even where a service is free, a workshop or forum may not be. Ask about cost before you sign up.

About funding

The SBDC page says its team matches businesses with lenders from a network of more than 100 institutions, and the SBA says its partners can give funding recommendations. Neither page we read describes specific loans, interest rates or approval requirements, so we do not list any here. Ask your SBDC consultant what is available for your situation.

What these pages do not say

Whether the SBA's page considers every SBDC service free. It does not state SBDC or veteran center costs, so the SBDC's own page is what we relied on.
What membership in the chamber costs or includes. The pages we read do not describe categories, benefits or dues.
Which services fit which type of business, or how long the wait for an appointment is.
Whether any grant or loan is available to you.

Bring a report to your first appointment. A Signals check gives a mentor or consultant a plain view of what public sources say about your business, which can save time.

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