In 2016, Lydia Grossov was at
a crossroads. She was contemplating whether to find another corporate job in
the pharmaceutical industry or take her long-time side hustle full-time.
About the same time, Grossov
had heard about a women’s conference that SCORE Bucks County was offering. She
signed up for the conference – and for the chapter’s free business mentoring.
By early 2017, the veteran graphic designer and web designer took the leap to
make her 10-year part-time gig, Expresso Design, a full-time business.
Named for the mix of creative
expression and bold flavors that she infuses in her client’s logo creation,
branding, print and digital marketing solutions, and Website design and
development, Grossov’s New Britain-based business specializes in preparing
impactful concepts for her primarily healthcare and pharmaceutical clients.
Initially, when she arranged
her first mentoring session with SCORE Bucks Chairwoman Linda Zangrilli and
Vice Chairwoman Vicki Brown, Grossov sought help creating a business plan.
“I actually needed a lot more
than that,” she said. “So much so that I’m still with them after four years.”
SCORE mentors are available
to guide entrepreneurs and business owners through every step of the business
process. Grossov intends to keep learning and growing with insight from
Zangrilli, who retired after more than 25 years in operations management,
customer service and management; and Brown, who has owned Harmony Clean, Inc.
for nearly 20 years.
“They understand business and
the challenges in business,” Grossov said. “They have good action items for me.
They have homework for me to do. They have advice and a direction to send me
in.”
Mentoring relationships work
best with a give and take, according to Grossov. Brown and Zangrilli appreciate
the effort she puts forth.
“Lydia is very organized and does thorough
research,” Brown said. “It has been great to see her confidence grow
throughout the process and for her to find what works for her as far as
finding clients to work with.”
Zangrilli credited Grossov’s
“aggressive networking” with helping her business to thrive. By attending
conferences where her ideal clients would be, Grossov was able to meet prospective
clients and build invaluable connections.
Knowing her ideal client has
helped in expanding Expresso Design. While Grossov can create graphics and
Websites for any industry, focusing on healthcare and pharmaceuticals helps her
differentiate her business. She had one of her best years in 2020 and looks
forward to a bright future. One thing is for sure, her SCORE mentors will be by
her side.
“They’re still helping me
shape my business,” Grossov said. “You encounter different challenges and
different obstacles.”
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more
than 8.5 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE
provides small business mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000
new and growing small businesses.?With 50 members across the
county, SCORE Bucks?County?provides over 1,500 free
mentoring services annually to local small business owners
through one-on-one counseling and small business seminars. To stay up to
date on news and happenings, join SCORE Bucks County’s email list. Text
SCOREBUCKS to 22828.
