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<\/p>\nFOSTER, R.I. (WJAR) \u2014 The Darcy family in Foster has a great idea: turn their Red Rock Farm into a affordable event venue. Problem was, they didn’t have a business background.<\/p>\n
So, they turned to SCORE, a nonprofit, to get some sage, free advice.<\/p>\n
Patrice Wood reports on business mentoring in the local community. (WJAR)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Paul and Monica Darcy run the 70-acre Red Rock Farm in Foster. It’s a family-owned historic farm with an equestrian center. The property was their daughter’s choice for her wedding.<\/p>\n
“I think that’s when the seed was planted. We had our daughter’s wedding out here and it was just amazing,” said Paul Darcy.<\/p>\n
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Their idea: an event venue for corporate retreats, weddings and retirement parties.<\/p>\n
“We have large outdoor fields where a beautiful tent can stand with historic stone walls all around,” Monica Darcy said.<\/p>\n
The Darcys had a beautiful location and a great idea, but they knew they needed someone to help them get their idea off the ground.<\/p>\n
“We call ourselves the professor and the colonel,” Paul Darcy said.<\/p>\n
Paul was a career military man, and Monica knows a lot about teaching college students.<\/p>\n
But business plans, not so much.<\/p>\n
So, they called Chris Westerkamp, one of 45 local volunteer mentors with SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives.<\/p>\n
The nonprofit nationwide group pairs people like Westerkamp with people like the Darcys to show them how do things right.<\/p>\n
“You know, help them make decisions so they don’t go down a rabbit hole or something like that,” said Westerkamp.<\/p>\n
With guidance from marketing to business plans.<\/p>\n
“I can read things all day long, but to be able to pick up a phone, text or email and ask Chris a question is invaluable,” Monica Darcy said.<\/p>\n
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One couple who just took a tour of the site got a sweet surprise.<\/p>\n
“As we were coming away from the back field, four deer walked by. Now, we can’t guarantee that but that’s the kind of place this is,” Monica Darcy said.<\/p>\n
Westerkamp is confident he’ll be adding Red Rock Farm to his growing list of successful SCORE clients.<\/p>\n
“If they follow good advice and it helps their business, that’s a great feeling of satisfaction,” Westerkamp said.<\/p>\n