The Sandhills Chapter of SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business) kicks off the fall 2009 edition of its popular small business seminar series Saturday, Sept. 12.

The initial seminar in the six part series is titled "Do You Have The Right Stuff?" The seminar begins at 9 a.m. in room 103 of Van Dusen Hall on the Sandhills Community College campus. The series is sponsored jointly by SCORE and the Small Business Center of Sandhills Community College.

In today's fast-paced world of commerce, going into business can be a risky venture. To be successful, entrepreneurs must have "the right stuff" to persevere through the trials and tribulations of starting a new business, a SCORE news release said.

In this seminar, participants will learn a winning formula for building a business that can overcome the odds against success. The seminar offers tips on running a successful business and identifies some of the many pitfalls that could destroy the business, in addition to the many challenges owners must face head on.

To register for the seminar, call the Small Business Center at 695-3938. Registration will also be available beginning at 8:30 on the morning of the seminar.

SCORE is a nationwide nonprofit association of experienced business people who provide free and confidential business counseling to small business owners.

The Sandhills chapter is very active in counseling, mentoring and presenting free business seminars.

Anyone wishing to speak to SCORE counselors are asked to register as a client at www.edmisscore.org/0364. A SCORE counselor will contact you.

In addition to counseling by appointment, the Sandhills chapter of SCORE has members available for drop-in service for those who have registered on the Web site from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at the Moore County Chamber of Commerce building on U.S. 15-501 in Southern Pines. The phone number is 692-3936.

The local SCORE Chapter is always seeking motivated volunteers. More information on SCORE's counseling activity and a complete description of each seminar can be found at the Sandhills SCORE Web site, www.sandhillsscore.org.