Our business advice and business mentoring is available to all young entrepreneurs and business owners in Kent. To qualify you have to be aged 30, or under, have a real interest in creating a business, launching a business and growing a business, and lastly, you have to be based in Kent. We are unique in the fact that our services are delivered free of charge. We provide a personal, forward facing services, we will offer an initial meeting to assess your business needs so we can offer the relevant support you and your business idea need to move forward. We are volunteer led organisation and the generous support from the business community of Kent gives up its time as Volunteer Business Mentors to support ‘you’ the next generation of business owners.
Business Creation: A good solid researched idea or concept that you have started to turn in to a business.
Business Startup: A trading business that’s tested the market, has built a customer base, identified their market and product/service offering and starts to measure, review and adapt their plan so they can grow.
Business Growth: A business ready to take it to the next level with a strong proof of concept, customer base and product/service offering. A business here may be looking at diversifying into other products/services, employing additional staff, looking at bigger or additional premises or maybe even launching/investing into a new venture.
Free Business Mentoring in Kent to anyone aged 30 or under. Why is it free I hear you ask? It’s because the Kent Business Community supports us, not just by donations and sponsorship, but by give up their time, expertise and knowledge to provide business support to people like you as Business Mentors. Our mentors are all business people and professionals from across Kent. Having this great resource means that you can have access to a vast range of skills, knowledge and experience to tap in to for your business, ranging from business planning right through to hiring your first member of staff to importing and exporting goods. The question to ask yourself is: ‘Why would you not want a business mentor?’.
Every business has a vision. This vision may not always be easy to achieve. Perhaps you recognise you don’t have all of the skills, or knowledge to achieve it? There is an answer – your very own Business Mentor.
Getting matched with a Business Mentor: The Kent Foundation aims to match you with the right business mentor to fit your business needs. Our role is to provide you with information you need on how to explore your business ideas, create a business, startup, grow or diversify your business.
How often do I meet my mentor? We suggest monthly, however this can depend on the availability of both you and your mentor (you’re allowed holidays) and the needs of the business. Once you’ve been matched with your mentor, you arrange the meetings with them at a time, place and location that’s convenient for you both. We encourage phone, email or video calls in between meetings to aid support and develop strong mentoring relationships. Kent Foundation staff are also there to help, so don’t forget to pick up the phone, or drop us an email too.
Confidential: What happens when I discuss my business with my Business Mentor? We have a Mentoring Agreement that needs to signed by all parties which sets out what is expected in this relationship. All conversations are strictly confidential between You, your Business Mentor and The Kent Foundation. If you identify a need for additional business support then just ask, it’s likely in our pool of Volunteer Business Mentors we can find someone for you.