StartUp Westport Mentors: Appreciation Through Innovation

If you’re in any kind of business — and who in Westport isn’t? — you know the value of mentorship.

Young people crave learning how to succeed in the workplace, make connections, build a career.

Older people love to give advice, watch someone grow, pay forward the help they once received.

Unfortunately, few people know how to be a truly effective mentor.

Or, for that matter, how to learn the most as a mentee.

They should follow StartUp Westport‘s lead.

Our town’s public/private partnership — a local ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors and innovators in information technology, biotech, social impact and related fields, who together create and celebrate Westport’s growing tech and innovation community — has created a robust mentorship program.

It matches mentors with mentees. It offers programs — large, small, and 1-on-1 — to encourage collaboration. And — though just a few months old — it’s already delivering tangible results.

The process begins online. A dedicated page on StartUp Westport’s website provides information to potential mentors and mentees about what mentorship is and is not. It offers practical advice, from goal-setting to how to book a Westport Library meeting room.

So far 66 people have registered to be mentors, 55 as mentees. Program director Susan Fenn matched 46 — 23 pairs — in the first cohort. A special effort is made to “bridge the opportunity gap” for historically marginalized groups, says program founder Noah Fenn.

Mentorship program leaders (from left): Noah Fenn, Georgie Garner, Susan Fenn.

Each month, they participate in “Mentorship Circles”: sessions in which 1 or 2 mentors provide targeted skill development for 5-25 mentees.

Peter Boyd recently discussed “the coaching mindset.” Upcoming topics include marketing fundamentals, fundraising, business plans and social media.

Mentors and mentees, at the “Coaching Mindset” meeting.

But the heart of the program is 1-to-1 mentorships.

Mentee Bari Schrager says, “transitioning from a structured corporate environment to launching a retail media network was a major leap for me. “I am beyond grateful to StartUp Westport and my mentor, Kal Amin, for being an anchor of support and an expert guide.

“From beta tests to investor strategies, Kal’s friendship and insight has been invaluable in helping me navigate these new waters.”

Mentor Kal Amin (left), with mentee Bari Schrager.

Ben Haber is in the entertainment field. Mentor Dan Zuller — an expert in crypto and startups — educated himself fully about his mentee’s  business.

“He’s given thoughtful notes and critiques throughout the process — a time-consuming endeavor that has been incredibly valuable,” Haber says.

“The mentorship program is a fantastic experience, very well planned out and executed.”

Mentee Kamrock Tovar calls his mentorship with Ted Parker “life-changing” and “transformative.”

Ted Parker — owner of Vibrant Health, who spoke at StartUp Westport’s forum on opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs — brought Tovar to a meeting at their headquarters, about rebranding and label re-designs. He was encouraged to offer advice, and his insights were taken seriously.

Mentor and mentee have discussed topics far beyond business and nutritional supplements, Tovar says. He has learned how Parker balances many responsibilities.

Ted Parker (left) on Kam Tovar’s podcast.

Equally impactful, though, is Parker’s “openness to learn from me. This journey has left me excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.’

Parker was a guest on Tovar’s podcast at the University of Bridgeport.

“After spending only a few days with Kam, I began to wonder: Who’s the mentee, and who’s the mentor?” Parker says.

(To learn more about StartUp Westport’s mentorship program, click here.)

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