From our partners at Mercy Corps NW Women’s Business Center

Three things we know for sure:

1. Small business owners get tons of benefits from mentoring.

2. Effective, experience mentors tend to be in short supply – it can be hard for small business owners to put their fingers on exactly what they need, much less locate a mentor who fits, and good mentoring takes time and practice (something that’s in short supply for mentors who need to  keep their minds on their own businesses).

3. We want to help – so we’ve got something a bit different to try and we’re looking for small business owners who’ll pilot it with us.

WHO: The Women’s Business Center at Mercy Corps Northwest is looking for 20-25 women who own and operate a small business to participate in a pilot mentorship program with other business owners. We are looking for business owners who are up and running, have taken in at least 12 months of revenues, but may be struggling with the next steps in their business-building.

WHAT: The 3-hour event will be hosted by the advisory board of the Women’s Business Center at Mercy Corps Northwest. The event will be facilitated by Julie Huffaker, a partner with On Your Feet, an international business consultancy located in Portland, Oregon.

HOW: Participants will be introduced to a Think Tank problem-solving model, and use this to clarify a business issue the y’re struggling with or an aspiration they don’t know how to tackle. Structured small group clusters (“think tanks” that include advisory board members and other mentors) will then select issues to work on. Participants will leave with (1) better tools to define their business challenges (and therefore a better chance of getting the help they need; (2) new ideas and inspiration from advisory mentors and their small business peers; and (3) perhaps some of their own issues resolved!

WHEN and WHERE: April 1, 11-2 pm in the Ache room in the Mercy Corps Action Center.

If you are interested in participating as a mentor or a business owner please contact Leslie Bevan, Women’s Business Center Manager at Mercy Corps Northwest.