Program Overview
Business Mentor NY is a critical component of the State’s effort to assist businesses as they recover and rebuild from Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Through the Business Mentor NY on-line platform, entrepreneurs can access free assistance from private industry professionals and seasoned business owners from throughout New York State who volunteer their time to help small businesses overcome challenges and grow their business. The one-on-one guidance and counsel complements the state’s current network of financial and technical assistance.
By joining the program, small business can get answers to simple questions or engage in longer-term relationships with their mentors. Mentors involved in Business Mentor NY represent a wide range of disciplines, including lawyers, accountants and consultants, and are in the fields of finance, retail, communications and information technology, human resources, public relations, sales and marketing.
For entrepreneurs who are seeking assistance and professionals who are interested in serving as pro bono mentors, please visit www.BusinessMentor.NY.gov and complete a brief profile.
Small Business Mentoring
Business mentoring is FREE counsel, advice, and support provided by experienced entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals to emerging entrepreneurs and business owners. Mentorship can be a powerful tool to help entrepreneurs get their businesses back on track or bring them to the next level. The network of mentors includes lawyers, accountants, business consultants, successful entrepreneurs, and other professionals. Mentors can assist small businesses with a wide range of issues, including: debt restructuring, financial management, marketing strategies, operational advice, industry-specific best practices, business model support, legal advice, insurance review, HR policies and much more. Mentorship is an exciting opportunity to support small business growth in New York State in a hands-on, high-impact manner.
Program Eligibility
Individuals interested in mentoring through Business Mentor NY are requested to have at least five years of management experience or three years of business ownership experience. The program has been initially targeted to all businesses that are located in counties that were subject to a federal disaster declaration as a result of storms Irene, Lee and Sandy, though a business does not have to have been storm-impacted to be eligible for the program.
Enrolling in the Program
To receive free assistance from one of hundreds of private industry professionals or to sign up as a volunteer mentor, please visit the Business Mentor NY website at www.BusinessMentor.NY.gov. If you have any questions, please contact Ben Howard-Cooper at [email protected]