The word mentor can stir many emotions and expectations. But truly, what is a mentor? By definition, a mentor is an experienced and trusted adviser. In our blog post "How to Not Be Afraid of the Mentoring Dynamic?", we examined the importance of mentorship from an entrepreneur's perspective.
What about the other point of view? How can mentors be the best for their mentees? Kim Lawton, co-founder of the Enthuse Foundation, explained the power of being a mentor.
"As mentors, we can empower the next generation of leaders and innovators by sharing the knowledge we've gained along our own journeys," Kim said.
There could be many motives for mentoring or advising a company—an opportunity to sit on the board of directors, a financial investment (where their success is your success), a desire to pay it forward, or a genuine want to help.
Jack Edwards, a member of the Enthuse Foundation Board of Directors and five-time Pitch Competition Judge, wants to see others succeed.
"I've had many great mentors and bosses throughout my career," he said. "There have been multiple times where people saw something in me and gave me a chance. Without those people, there is no way I'd be where I am today. I would like to do the same for others, and that is what drives me - helping others achieve their dreams personally and professionally. The Enthuse Foundation is a great organization, and I love connecting with the entrepreneurs from the events."
Mentoring doesn't have to be transactional. Sometimes, identifying someone who can benefit from your guidance is the most challenging part.
Rather than debate whether you would be a good mentor, focus on the connection. Entrepreneurship is a highly lonely venture. Showing someone you care is half the battle.
For example, ever year leading up to the annual Pitch Competition our first-ever winner, Effie Panagopoulos, founder of KLEOS Mastiha Spirit, shares tips for a successful pitch deck and winning application with our community. Check out “How to Put Together a Winning Pitch Deck” for more tips including a photo of Effie’s successful pitch.
During the 2024 conversation with Effie, Michelle Houston, founder of To Be Honest Beverage Company, utilized the opportunity to pick her brain. Effie kindly offered to meet with Michelle after the call. That turned into a two-hour meeting. Michelle was then chosen as a 2024 Pitch Competition finalist.
That’s the full circle magic of the Enthuse Foundation.
Kim shared the following tips for mentors to ensure they're providing the best possible guidance:
Be a champion: Believe in your mentee's abilities and encourage them to reach for the stars.
Share your "behind-the-scenes": Reveal the challenges you overcame and the lessons you learned along the way to help inspire them.
Connect them to opportunities: Introduce them to people and resources from your own network that can help them succeed.
Focus on their strengths: Help them identify and leverage their unique talents.
Bottom line: We all need mentors, and we can all be one. Oprah Winfrey is considered one of the most successful women entrepreneurs, and she credits Maya Angelou as a mentor. After Maya died in 2014, Oprah said, "I've been blessed to have Maya Angelou as my mentor, mother/sister, and friend since my 20s. She was there for me always, guiding me through some of the most important years of my life. The world knows her as a poet but at the heart of her, she was a teacher. 'When you learn, teach. When you get, give' is one of my best lessons from her. Community is powerful, and your most incredible mentors are in those communities.
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