Mentorship program building 'strong foundation' for new entrepreneurs
A mentorship pilot program by Business Link is assisting new entrepreneurs.
The goal is to help people starting up small businesses by allowing them to learn from others who have a few years of experience under their belts already.
"Business Link is a government-funded non-profit and we really help businesses start and grow," said Matt Hill, director of operations and sales.
"We put on events, we provide resources and one-to-one support programs like this to really give businesses a strong foundation for their continued growth."
Hill says the program launched in January 2024 and so far, 300 mentees have signed up.
He says conversations between new owners and mentors are valuable.
"The great thing about the program is it can be in person or it can be through virtual Zoom calls," Hill said.
"We actually have mentors and mentees from right across the province as well as here in Calgary, connecting."
Business Link has seen a lot of interest in the program from people new to Alberta who are looking to form connections within their communities.
"People are coming here, (and) they're wanting to start small businesses. Perhaps they had a great business back home, they have expertise in that area and they want to launch something here as well," Hill said.
Aspiring business owners must be based in Alberta and up and running for less than a year or in the initial stages of developing a business plan to be eligible for the program.
Once a mentor and mentee are matched, there is a 30-minute introductory meeting, allowing them to establish their objectives and discuss potential challenges.
A more focused 90-minute session follows, aimed at developing strategies and setting the path for future success.
"The impact of programs like this is helping businesses move toward sustainability," Hill said.
"It's easy to start but are we going to be here in five years? In 10 years? That's why it's so important for the Alberta economy."
Lauren Wilson registered her small online business, Wren Bakehouse, in October 2023.
She's passionate about making bread and other baked goods and one day hopes to open a brick-and-mortar bakery.
"I just really enjoy doing it. It's working with my hands and I see the direct impact of feeding other people."
Wilson gets up at 3 a.m. four days a week to bake and a few other days to make deliveries and attend markets.
She says without mentorship, her passion would just be an expensive hobby.
"I'm into this for the long haul and in order to be in it for the long haul, I have to be well-prepared and I have to plan," she said.
"To do that, seeking out advice from people who have gone down that road before is crucial."
Wilson's mentor has a small business in Banff.
"She has been really great," Wilson said.
"Because the questions I have about staffing, finances, bookkeeping, growth, that kind of stuff -- stuff I don't really know about -- she's done it all before, so she can help me out with that."
Before starting her own business, Wilson had a conversation with her old boss after she was laid off.
"I realized the value of mentorship and he said to me, 'This business is going to own you for at least five years, so be prepared for that,'" she said.
"I'm very grateful he set up the expectation that I was going to be working very hard because I am working very hard. I think if you don't, you're not invested."
Dennis Scanland's SunnyCider is celebrating its fifth anniversary in June.
He's one of close to 70 mentors who've signed up for the program.
"I started doing urban farming with a company called Dirt Boys. I opened that up in 2013," Scanland said.
"YYC Growers was another business co-operative that I started and then the opportunity for cider came around with a bunch of neighbours.
"We were collecting apples and fruits, that sort of thing, and trying to make decent cider and a few years later, we decided to go into business with it."
His mentee is a baker with a home-based business in Edmonton.
"To help somebody start up a business, they can come to me if they have a question on licensing or marketing or that sort of thing," Scanland said.
"It makes you feel good to be able to share that information, rather than just keep it to yourself."
Business Link says it's looking for more mentors.
"We'd like to see a close match in numbers of mentors and mentees," Hill said.
"They don't need to be an expert in everything but we're looking for people who've been in business perhaps three to five years, who've got that experience to pass on to provide to their community and support a new business."
You can learn more about the program at businesslink.ca/programs/mentor-program/.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW She developed a passion for genealogy while finding her roots. Now she helps others find their own
Lauren Robilliard always knew she was adopted. As the B.C. native grew older, she developed a passion for genealogy, tracing her roots and paving the way for a career to help others find their own.
Papua New Guinea says landslide buried more than 2,000 people
A Papua New Guinea government official has told the United Nations more than 2,000 people were believed to have been buried alive by Friday's landslide and has formally asked for international help.
NEW A cross-country look at beer and wine in convenience stores
By Labour Day weekend, Ontarians of legal drinking age could snag a six-pack at their local convenience store on the way to the cottage. But what are alcohol sales like across the country? Here's what we know.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
'We were vetted': Sex-ed organization 'disappointed' over Higgs' comments
The head of a Quebec-based sexual and reproductive health organization says she's disappointed New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has deemed presentations she did in the province last week inappropriate.
Cyclone floods coastal villages, blows away thatched roofs and cuts power in Bangladesh and India
A cyclone flooded coastal villages, blew away thatched roofs and left hundreds of thousands of people without power Monday in southern Bangladesh and eastern India. At least seven deaths were reported.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
DEVELOPING Indigo Books & Music shareholders to vote on privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders are expected to vote this morning on whether the retailer should accept a sweetened offer from a holding company that plans to take the bookstore chain private.