I am getting ready to participate in an exciting program through the Thunderbird School of Global Management that encourages female entrepreneurship worldwide: Supporting Entrepreneurs and Enterprise Development Seminars (SEEDS).
Here’s how it works: Twenty-five women entrepreneurs and business owners from Jordan are selected to participate in a two-week, intensive entrepreneurship and business leadership training program. They are matched with an American mentor for the final three days of the experience. Mentors have achieved success in their industries. They work with their proteges to develop and pitch their business plans to a team of reviewers and then provide continuing (long distance) mentoring support over the following two years.
I am a mentor. My protege is working to build a consulting company that will provide career counseling to students and re-careering adults. It’s a great match, given my passion for encouraging entrepreneurship and professional development (Check out MindingHerBiz at http://tinyurl.com/mindingherbiz). I am excited to be participating, and feel fortunate to give the time to share my expertise. I also expect to learn a lot from her and look forward to gaining a more global perspective on what it takes to start and build a small business … in any culture.
Mentors for this and other Walker Center women’s entrepreneurship programs are recruited on an ongoing basis. Contact them if you are willing to get involved. …. Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author