About the Black Connect's Business Mentoring Program

 
Launching or growing a business can be complicated and overwhelming.  The many factors involved - money, team, technology, marketing, legal, accounting - cause many people who want to be entrepreneurs and business owners to forego the opportunity to invest in their own talents, skills, and ideas.  Even worse, some people count themselves out before fully exploring or understanding their options.

Black Connect’s Business & Entrepreneur Assessment (BEA) helps Black Connect members who aspire to launch or grow a business venture, but need a roadmap to achieving their goals.  This assessment program can help individuals to not only understand their strengths and capabilities, but can also provide useful guidance for creating a business pan and finding additional resources.

Features and Benefits for Business Mentors ("Mentors")

• Mentors serve in a voluntary capacity
• Mentors play an integral part of helping Black Connect fulfill its mission of launching and growing Black-owned businesses
• Mentors who serve 12 consecutive months are honored
• Mentors are designated moderators of the Black Connect Business Forum
• Flexible scheduling and minimum time commitment
• Opportunity to gain new clients and business connections

 
Objectives

 
The BEA helps participants overcome challenges and also answer fundamental questions such as:

• Is entrepreneurship and business ownership right for me?
• What type of business is best suited for me?
• What roles do I need to fill for my business idea to succeed?
• Should I form a corporation, LLC, or sole proprietorship?
• How should I market my business?
• What expenses should I expect in launching my business?

 
How it Works

1. Registered Entrepreneur/Small Business members of Black Connect in good standing ("Members") enroll in the BEA by completing an intake form and requesting a mentor.
2. Black Connect notifies the requested Mentor and provides the Mentor with a copy of the Member's intake form.
3. If the requested Mentor is unaavailable, Black Connect will notify all Mentors with expertise in the Member's area of need.
4. In that case, the first Mentor to respond to the notification is assigned as the Member's Mentor.
5. Within three days of being assigned a Member, the Mentor will contact the Member to schedule a 15 minute (minimum) phone or video consultation to discuss the Member's business concerns.
6. Within three days after the consultation, the Mentor will complete an online report of the consultation.
7. Mentors may provide additional assistance to Members by responding to questions posted by Members in the Black Connect Business Forum or starting topics of discussion.

Guidelines

Mentor understands and agrees that s/he is not allowed to charge Members a fee for the initial phone/video consultation, report, or communications within the Black Connect Business Forum.

Mentor agrees to confirm all agreements with Members beyond the scope of the services provided in the BEA in writing.

Mentor understands and agrees that Black Connect is not a party to any agreement between the Mentor and the Member, and Black Connect is not responsible for any obligation or duty provided therein.

Mentor understands and agrees that the information and photo contained in this form will be used to create the Mentor's profile on the BEA website and promote the BEA Program to promote the BEA in media campaigns.