Business Mentor Program

Don't navigate the world of business alone. Join our program, connect with experienced volunteer mentors, and take your business to new heights. Apply now and let's embark on this journey together.

Are you a business owner looking to take your enterprise to the next level? Do you need guidance, insights, and support from experienced professionals who have successfully navigated the world of entrepreneurship? If so, our Business Mentoring Program is designed with you in mind.

Mentoring is a relationship that provides space for discussion and reflection with an experienced businesses person. It provides an insight to create actions and direction. It is a confidential relationship between business owners and a mentors. Mentors do not act as formal advisors. They provide the space to focus, share experience and knowledge, allowing the business owner to take considered action in their business. 

In our Business Mentoring Program, we believe that mentorship is the key to unlocking your business's potential. Our program connects you with seasoned volunteer mentors who generously share their knowledge, skills, and expertise to help you succeed. Whether you're an established business owner seeking to scale up or a budding entrepreneur with a vision, our volunteer mentors can provide guidance and support tailored to your unique needs.

Free Access to Expertise: Our program offers you the incredible opportunity to access valuable insights and knowledge from experienced volunteer mentors—all at no cost to you.

Customised Guidance: Each mentorship relationship is matched to best meet your specific goals and challenges. Our volunteer mentors work with you and with other mentors to develop a roadmap to success.

Four Free Mentoring Sessions: Register for our program, and you'll receive four one-on-one mentoring sessions with your carefully matched mentor. This personalised support can make all the difference in your business journey.

Comprehensive Support: Our mentors can assist you with a wide range of business aspects, from refining your business plan to strategizing for growth and helping you overcome any obstacles you encounter along the way.

Businesses that can apply must:

• Be based in the City of Glen Eira
• Not operate under a franchise agreement
• Be willing to allocate time and commit to taking time out of the business, to work on the business with a mentor
• If you are in a partnership, both partners must commit to the Program

Business intenders:

• Not yet started or just new to business for less than 2 years
• Turnover of less than $100,000.

Existing businesses:

• Have been in business for 2 years minimum.

Fill out a simple online application to join our program. We will match you with a mentor based on your needs and goals.

Once matched, you will have the opportunity to connect with your mentor. Together, you'll discuss your business aspirations and chart a course for your mentoring journey. The relationship is facilitated by Council’s Business Mentor Program Co-ordinator, who introduces and monitors the mentoring relationship. The mentor and mentee co-sign a confidentiality agreement to secure privacy.

That means four one-on-one mentoring sessions with your mentor. Each session is an opportunity to gain insights, address challenges, and work toward your objectives.

With your mentor's guidance and support, you'll have the tools and knowledge you need to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.

Join our Business Mentoring Program and take a step toward realizing your business's full potential. Whether you're a small business owner, a startup founder, or an experienced entrepreneur seeking to scale up, our mentors are here to help you succeed. Apply today and unlock the power of mentorship!

Mentoring can be a highly rewarding experience. It is an important voluntary community activity that is critical to develop and nurture local business and help the local economy.

A business mentor is someone with extensive experience and knowledge in business, either owning, operating their own business or in a high managerial position. It is someone who has walked the highs and lows, and dealt with managing growth and change in business.

A business mentor is someone who takes special interest in helping another to develop a successful business through improved processes and practices.

To be a mentor you need:

• extensive experience and knowledge in business
• available time
• be a great listener and have the ability to listen objectively and ask the right questions
• tact, patience and diplomacy
• clear communication.

A mentoring relationship is based upon encouragement, constructive discussion and comments, openness, mutual trust, respect and a willingness to learn and share. Mentors do not act as formal advisors, consultants or coaches.

The mentors reward comes from seeing another person grow and develop — they enjoy building a rapport with the business community and feeling valued for sharing their expertise.

To find out more or register your interest, contact the City Economy Team on 9524 3333.