A Cape and Islands business association has named Island herbalist and author Holly Bellebuono as their entrepreneur of the year.

Ms. Bellebuono, who owns Vineyard Herbs, Teas and Apothecary, is the first Vineyarder to receive the SCORE small business award, which recognizes sound financial practices and a steady growth of income and profitability.

“We on the Island thought she was a shoo-in,” said Sue Silk, one of the SCORE volunteers who nominated Ms. Bellebuono for the honor.

The organization, which was formerly known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives, pairs retirees with small business owners who are looking to grow.

The Cape chapter has more than 40 volunteer members, six of whom provide counseling on the Island. Their clients are prospective and established entrepreneurs who are looking for advice about how to move to the next level.

Ms. Bellebuono first sought regular SCORE counseling in 2012 for help with expanding her wholesale business.

Her counselors, Ms. Silk and Michael Adell, have helped her brainstorm ideas and have provided specific advice about inventory, packaging, marketing, and promotion, she said.

Ms. Bellebuono now sells her herbal medicines to 30 different clients, including Island retailers and off-Island stores like Stop & Shop and Whole Foods.

In 2011, she opened the Bellebuono School of Herbal Medicine, where she provides training and certification in herbal medicine.

“Working with them has really been a benefit,” she said of her SCORE mentors.

While entrepreneurism might be briefly defined as “working for yourself,” Ms. Bellebuono said it is broader than that.

“It’s not following anybody else’s rules. It’s very original,” she said. “It’s a business form of self expression.”

According to her counselor, that form of self expression comes easily to Ms. Bellebuono.

“The Holly Bellebuono’s of the world would be successful without SCORE,” Ms. Silk said. “She is driven, she is focused, and she is open to trying new things.”

With no plans to rest on her laurels, Ms. Bellebuono has a full summer planned of workshops and retreats.

In the fall, she will travel to Vancouver to conduct a five-day retreat, and next spring, she will publish her fourth book.

But first is the SCORE award ceremony on May 14 at the Old Yarmouth Inn in Yarmouthport.

“To be given the award is really a great honor,” Ms. Bellebuono said.