As a mentor, you are matched with a cohort member to provide guidance and advice regarding business operations and other valuable insights as a business owner.
Requirements
To become a mentor, one must:
- Be a current or former business owner with at least five years of experience.
- Commit to supporting an assigned cohort member for 12 months, including meeting for a minimum of one hour each month.
- Attend a mandatory orientation session outlining the roles and expectations for the mentorship partnership.
Get started by completing the Mentor Interest Form.
Mentor Interest Form
Benefits
Being a mentor for the Vendor Development Academy provides a meaningful way to give back to San Antonio’s business community while also supporting your own professional development. By sharing your industry expertise, you:
- Play a vital role in shaping the next generation of City contractors.
- Offer guidance and a unique, experience-based perspective.
- Help emerging vendors develop the skills needed to compete successfully.
Serving as a mentor also benefits your own business. Many participating firms share that the preparation and engagement involved in mentorship encourages them to:
- Take a closer, more critical look at current operations.
- Break out of routine or stagnant practices.
- Explore new technologies.
- Consider more efficient or streamlined processes.
In essence, mentorship offers an opportunity to strengthen your business while supporting the growth of your assigned cohort member.
The mentor experience enhances leadership and coaching abilities, increases community visibility, and builds meaningful professional relationships that often lead to long-term partnerships. By serving as a mentor, industry leaders help create a stronger and more equitable small-business ecosystem in San Antonio.