Success in Mentorship
Every entrepreneur needs help and support — be it financial , physical or emotional .
That ’ s why the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship - Caribbean ( BCoEC ) offers its entrepreneurs the opportunity to participate in a mentorship program . They are paired up with a mentor who offers support , feedback , and overall guidance , with the goal of fostering a sense of community among entrepreneurs and encouraging successful members of that community to give back . It ’ s a relationship that has been invaluable to both mentors and mentees .
One such pair is Caterina Alberti and Jordan Dawson .
Caterina is the founder of Crossover Coaching , where she specializes in business coaching and insight . She applied to be a BCoEC mentor in 2013 . “ This type of relationship is most successful when there ’ s a real personal connection ,” she says , “ so I wanted to wait until I found someone who was the right fit .”
That someone was Jordan Dawson . His business , the Dawson Trading Company , deals in the farming and exporting of Jamaican produce , primarily Julie mangos .
“ She was able to give me a lot of great insight into the produce business .”
As Caterina points out , it ’ s about showing someone that you are truly there to help them succeed . “ There ’ s such a competitive mentality in business . When you have someone really advocating for you , through action and not just words , there ’ s nothing like it ”, she explains .
The two agree that openness , honesty , trust and patience are the key components of a successful mentorship arrangement .
BCoEC is always looking for committed volunteer mentors , strategic coaches and finance coaches to work with highpotential entrepreneurs 2-3 hours per month . Interested ? Sign up here .
“ She was able to give me a lot of great insight into the produce business ."
The two are an ideal match . Although their industries of choice are very different , their values are the same . “ Caterina actually worked with fruit markets in British Columbia ,” says Jordan .
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