Each year SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties recognizes owners and entrepreneurs that have demonstrated unique vision, innovation, and achievement in support of our local economy and small business community.
Congratulations to the six small businesses and nonprofits honored on June 6 at the annual Small Business Achievements Awards event at Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester.
Meet Award-Winner Jarrett Muzi, founder and executive director of West Chester Hoops
Jarrett Muzi worked with his SCORE mentors to establish a nonprofit community-based sports league where kids have fun and contribute to a team.
West Chester Hoops was borne out of a life-long passion and a respected teaching and coaching career.
Jarrett Muzi has always loved basketball since he was a child in the ‘80’s. He still remembers going to the Philadelphia 76ers games with his uncle, and tried to see every Kobe Bryant game he could.
Today, Jarrett is a teacher at Pierce Middle School in the West Chester Area School District where he also coaches the Peirce Middle School 8th grade team. He previously coached the Henderson High School Freshman basketball team for nine years.
Growing up, Jarrett had a desire to add value in his community. The inspiration for West Chester Hoops came to him a few years ago while driving his three sons several nights each week to play in the Great Valley Basketball League in Malvern.
Jarrett was impressed at how this league operated and communicated with the families. Even better, his sons from West Chester were able to register for their Summer basketball camps which were open to residents from other school districts. There was a high level of involvement and time invested by program leaders.
Jarrett felt ‘a door open’ recognizing an opportunity to create a memorable organized basketball program for the youth in his local community. Now was the time to allow his teaching background and love of the sport to do this for West Chester.
His first step was to set up a nonprofit organization. His next step was to recruit Jamie Blumenthal, Physical Education teacher and former basketball coach with the Chichester School District, to start the process.
How SCORE Helped
Jarrett realized he and Jamie were experienced at ‘all things basketball,’ but starting a nonprofit organization was brand new territory! Fortunately, Jarrett’s wife knew of a service that helps startups – SCORE.
No time was wasted. Jarrett tells us, “I went on the SCORE website, filled out a mentoring request form and had a meeting with my new mentors, Ruder Schill and Steve Crumrine.”
It was early August 2022. Jarrett asked SCORE for guidance to organize a nonprofit organization and help him set priorities to determine what to accomplish and by when.
What follows is possibly a ‘masterclass’ in how new business owners and SCORE can genuinely collaborate for success…
SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business experts, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals.
Since 1964, SCORE has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs nationwide.
SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties has been operating since 1985, with 100 dedicated volunteers today who provide confidential mentoring at no charge and offer business seminars, workshops and webinars to benefit the local community.
SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
