Book a Strategy Session

Share:

Case Study

Alleviating Small Business Pain Points Through Mentoring

Founded in 1999, the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington was established to provide an entry for entrepreneurship in Guelph and Wellington County. Their offerings include business advisory services, business development programs, and a repository of valuable resources and connections for entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organizations. 

Downtown Guelph city aerial view.

The Challenge

The Business Centre Guelph-Wellington in partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundation established the Momentum Business Mentor Program to support small businesses and not-for-profit organizations emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic.  The goal of the program is to help businesses create tangible action plans to achieve business growth by supporting them with valuable planning tools, experienced business advisors, and business mentors. 

Our Solution

Pollinate partnered with BCGW to create a custom multi-cohort mentoring program for established small businesses, startups, and not-for-profit organizations in Guelph-Wellington.

The program used tailored matching, trained volunteer mentors, business advisors, and the Pollinate Platform to centralize planning tools, eLearning materials, webinar recordings, and discussion forums.

BCGW Momentum Business Mentor Program logo.

The Results

The Momentum Business Mentor Program supported 126 organizations across a range of sectors and backgrounds. Mentorship pairs were strategically matched using Cross-Pollinate AI™ based on their business goals and objectives.

Volunteer mentors became Pollinate Certified Mentors, and the program achieved an overall Net Promoter Score of 81%.

Pollinate Networks Inc. Certified Mentor logo.

Testimonials & Custom Content

Testimonials

“We have seen businesses that we have never engaged with before, coming to the table to get guidance with multiple aspects of pain points needing to be solved to accelerate growth.”

Kristel Manes

Executive Director of Business Centre Guelph Wellington

“We’ve gotten to see a whole range of businesses that we wouldn’t have coming forward to assist and be assisted. It has really continued to build our ecosystem.”

Angela Poirier

Momentum Program Manager

“I gained a lot of valuable information, worksheets, advice , etc through the program. However, I would say, the most valuable thing I gained through the experience was support. The mentorship meeting’s provided a safe space to have supportive discussions and work through challenges and celebrate wins. Thank-you for the opportunity to participate in this fabulous program.”

Mentee

“As entrepreneurs, myself and my mentee experienced some of the same hurdles. We were able to discuss options and scenarios for consideration and it seemed to be a big help.” and work through challenges and celebrate wins. Thank-you for the opportunity to participate in this fabulous program.”

Mentor

“My mentoring partner was a fantastic addition to my skill set, advising and teaching me things that I hadn’t ever thought about. Moreover, they were instrumental in providing a larger perspective to critical matters within my own business.” participate in this fabulous program.”

Mentee

“Having other entrepreneurs to talk things out with. An outsider’s perspective was great. Being in business by yourself can be isolating so it was nice to connect with others and talk about my business.”

Mentee

Report chart stating the different business models of entrepreneurs in the program.

Want to learn more?

Click below to book a strategy session with us and lets talk about how we can work together to make a lasting impact within your organization or association?

Book here!