Mentors/Tutors

Graduates of the First Step FastTrac program who start businesses receive the ongoing support of mentors who act as sounding boards and serve as advisors. Graduates are matched one-on-one with experienced, successful small business owners. The mentors provide their protégés:

• Answers to questions based on their own experience.
• Exposure to businesses and professional organizations.
• Opportunities to connect and collaborate with local business support organizations.
• Encouragement during difficult times.

Mentors benefit, too, by:

• Expanding their own network.
• Becoming a better problem-solver by helping others solve their problems.
• Building relationships with the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Business coaches work with First Step FastTrac students while they attend the First Step FastTrac entrepreneurial classes. Coaching also is provided as part of the seminars for FastTrac graduates. The classes cover mission statements, market analysis, pricing, cash flow, and credit resources. Coaches are expected to be knowledgeable about bookkeeping, credit, or marketing.

In addition to in-class time, the coaches are expected to be available by e-mail or by phone to counsel students if they have questions about homework assignments.

If you are interested in serving as a mentor or business coach, please email Clark Trammell or call him at 785-231-6000.

Cheryl (Creviston), my mentor, is very supportive. She also is a businesswoman and understands the ups and downs of running a business. She has helped me out a lot with marketing. Cheryl really is interested in my success. I feel I can call her any time.
--Concepcion Reyes, Mabuhay Asian & Oriental Food Mart

In many ways I feel I have received more from the Mentoring Program than I have given. I love to see the passion for ideas and entrepreneurial spirit the participants have for their businesses. They've always dreamed of having their own business and it's a rewarding experience to help them make it a reality. Who knows, the small businesses I'm working with today could be among the major corporations of tomorrow.
--Dan Mauer, Klik Kreative