Mentorship: A Catalyst for Change – Who Will You Guide Through the Moments That Matter?

January marks National Mentoring Month, and at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center , we’re celebrating the incredible power of mentorship to transform not just businesses but lives. Mentorship is more than a conversation or a single piece of advice—it’s a commitment to guiding someone through the moments that matter most.

For every entrepreneur who’s faced uncertainty, for every critical decision that felt overwhelming, there’s a mentor who stepped in to listen, challenge, and inspire. Entrepreneurs often navigate uncharted territory, and it’s in these moments that lived experience and expertise can light the way.

So here’s the question: Who will you guide through the moments that matter?

What Do You Have to Give That Could Help Entrepreneurs?

You might be surprised at how much your experience could mean to an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are often looking for guidance in areas you may take for granted—whether it’s navigating leadership challenges, developing a solid business strategy, or understanding operational processes.

As Catharine Montgomery, MBA , Founder of Better Together , reflects in her Faces of Entrepreneurship profile: "I wish I knew the importance of building a strong support network early on. If I could do it differently, I'd invest more time in mentorship and connecting with experienced entrepreneurs."

You don’t need to have all the answers—sometimes, asking the right questions, being a sounding board, or simply sharing a resource can make all the difference. If you’re willing to listen, share what you know, and encourage others, you already have what it takes to be a mentor.

Mentorship in Action

Mentorship at the Nasdaq Center isn’t just about dispensing advice. It’s about building relationships that challenge and empower. As Colin Mahin , who leads our Milestone Makers program, puts it: "The best mentors for Milestone Makers are typically those who have a blend of experience, empathy, and a willingness to challenge entrepreneurs in constructive ways. Great mentors not only advise but also act as sounding boards, being there for the human behind the business. They genuinely care about the mentee’s success and challenge them to grow both professionally and personally."

Brooke Palizi , who leads Mentor Makers , highlights how the program addresses a crucial need: "We created Mentor Makers to fill a critical gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem—providing in-the-moment mentorship that entrepreneurs need when facing pivotal decisions. Sometimes, all it takes is a second set of eyes or a sounding board to turn uncertainty into clarity."

In Milestone Circles , mentorship thrives within a community. Kamy Twiggs Taylor , who leads this program, emphasizes the importance of collaboration: "Mentorship through the Milestone Circles program provides women entrepreneurs with a trusted ally who truly understands their journey. It is about forging authentic connections and extending a hand to lift up the next woman, creating a chain reaction of empowerment and growth for women-owned businesses."

And as Payton McGriff , Founder of Style Her Empowered (SHE) , reminds us when sharing her entrepreneurial journey, "Mentorship is so valuable to me because I feel like I can be on the journey and see it at the same time, and that makes me a much better leader to the company and my team."

How Will You Dig In?

Here’s how you can step into the role of a mentor and make a lasting impact:

• Be a Mentor: Join Mentor Makers to guide aspiring entrepreneurs as they navigate the complexities of building and scaling their businesses.
• Answer a Question: Lend your expertise by addressing the pressing challenges entrepreneurs face, whether it’s about business strategy, leadership, or operational excellence. Sometimes, one thoughtful answer can spark transformative change.
• Collaborate on Resources: Help shape the entrepreneurial journey by contributing to workbooks, toolkits, and educational materials that provide entrepreneurs with actionable insights.
• Coach or Advise: Use your specialized knowledge in areas like finance, marketing, or technology to help entrepreneurs tackle complex challenges and seize opportunities.
• Point the Way: Even a small nudge can make a big difference. Share the Center’s free tools and programs with an entrepreneur—it might just be the catalyst they need to change the trajectory of their business.

To our current mentors: thank you for your relentless commitment to our entrepreneurs. To those considering mentorship: we invite you to join us in empowering the next generation of business leaders.

As Erad F. , Co-founder of Fluxon , says when discussing his experiences as an entrepreneur: "Building genuine connections is at the heart of effective mentorship and entrepreneurship."

Let’s make mentorship more than a moment. Let’s make it a movement.

Visit nasdaqcenter.org to get involved.

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