Become a Mentor
Passionate about Empowering Women through Entrepreneurship? We need You!
The women chosen for entrepreneurship by EWI embody America’s promise that a better life can be created by anyone with drive and support. For me, the support part happens on many levels: business mentoring, confidence-building, and skills transfer. As a former entrepreneur, I can channel my expertise and desire to “do good” directly into women’s futures. – Deborah Blank, Mentor
Without this class, my business plans would not exist. The coaches and mentors have been the best. They have been encouraging, motivating, and especially patient with me and work well considering that English is my second language and I don’t have formal education in business. -Maggie (Maggie and her mentor Deborah)
Mentors are vital to the success of our women entrepreneurs.
We are looking for mentors to serve in training programs in Alexandria, VA and Rockville, MD. Mentors provide guidance, support and encouragement to women students to help them develop and launch a micro-business.
Our students are talented and high-potential micro-entrepreneurs. Many are artists, painters, designers, musicians, dancers, weavers, bakers, chefs, and other creative social entrepreneurs.
Mentors Qualifications
- Pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit
- Demonstrated success in business and/or leadership
- Passion for empowering women entrepreneurs
- Cultural competency, empathy, and good mentoring abilities
Mentor candidates must have one or more of the following:
- Mentoring experience
- Entrepreneurial experience (owned own business, had leadership position at a business or worked in a family business)
- Industry experience in any of the following: fine art, craft, performing art, photography, graphic design, web design, food, consulting, fashion, beauty, home-based business,
- Functional experience in marketing, sales, social media, product design, strategy, operations, accounting, finance, and/or business plan review
Key Responsibilities:
- Work with a group of 3 students in class brainstorming, reviewing homework and providing feedback
- Provide advice and support through the different stages of developing a business plan
- Discuss challenges faced when launching a business
- Act as a positive role model to mentees
- Help students focus on a business idea of their choice
- Help students overcome identified barriers to achieving their goals
- Respond to mentees and keep in regular contact
- Meet one-on-one as need it by the student to provide general coaching and advice
- Provide input regarding specific questions/issues
- Assist in connecting students to other opportunities or individuals who can help
Requirements:
- Attend specific training classes as designated by EWI
- Commit time outside the training minimum 1-2 hours/mentee/month during April – June 2013
- Attend Midterm Mentor Check-in Session
- Keep in regular contact with ETS Trainer and Program Coordinator and track hours/activities
- Attend Mentor Debrief Session
- Be available to mentees by email or phone as needed
APPLY NOW
Apply here to be considered for our Mentor Program.