The Sandhills Chapter of SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business) begins the spring 2010 edition of its popular small business seminar series next Tuesday with "Do You Have The Right Stuff?"

The seminar begins at 6 p.m. in room 103 of Van Dusen Hall on the Sandhills Community College campus. This is the first in a series of six seminars sponsored jointly by SCORE and the Small Business Center of Sandhills Community College.

The Tom Wolfe best-seller and movie "The Right Stuff" tells the story of how the first seven Mercury astronauts bravely rode into space with full knowledge of the life-threatening risks they faced.

"In today's fast-paced world of commerce, starting a new business is also a risky venture," a SCORE news release said. "Having the 'right stuff' to persevere through the trials and tribulations of starting and running a business and the knowledge to manage the risks greatly improves the likelihood of success."

The goal of this seminar is to enable the aspiring entrepreneur to realistically assess the risk of going into business by highlighting the various pitfalls that will likely be encountered and suggesting strategies and tactics for success to overcome these challenges.

The seminar teaches participants how to develop the "right stuff" to start a new business in a way that increases the potential to succeed Topics covered include why most new businesses fail, what it takes to be successful, tips on starting and running your own business, pitfalls that will destroy your new business and "It's all about you" - visionary, manager, doer.

To register for the seminar, call the Small Business Center at (910) 695-3938. Registration will also be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the day 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 must first register as a client at www.edmisscore.org/0364, and a counselor will contact you.

In addition to counseling by appointment, the Sandhills chapter of SCORE has members available for drop-in service from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at the Moore County Chamber of Commerce building on U.S. 15-501 in Southern Pines for those who have registered. The phone number there is (910) 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 website, www.sandhillsscore.org.