ACCESS Center for Equity and Success (ACES) seeks to reach North Carolina-based entrepreneurs stiving to scale successful enterprises that thrive through contract agreement for professional or industrial supply, development or service creating sustainable economies by adapting the model used by the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University. The volunteer Mentors represent ACES key accompaniment and support resource for the entrepreneurs participating in ACES Access Point accelerator. The Mentor brings strong business and management skills while respecting and promoting ACES values and vision. Mentors work closely with entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity and advance their business objectives. They must be highly flexible in that they are responsive to the unique needs and opportunities that present themselves as they participate in ACES programs.
Mentors are broadly skilled and experienced executives and business owners and can engage in various roles aligned with the multiple programs and varying needs of ACCESS. They are assumed to have the capacity to, and may engage in, all of these roles, but are assigned based on specific skill, experience, capability, and available time commitments, aswell as the particular needs of participating enterprises.
As an Enterprise Advisor, commit to a long-term relationship with a specific social enterprise
-
Build a strong working relationship with the “matched” Prime Contractor
-
Provide guidance on enterprise strategy
-
Listen to and support entrepreneur in tackling key challenges of the enterprise
-
Provide support to an entrepreneur in utilizing and completing any program curriculum or materials
-
Spend an average of 2 to 3 hours per week in consultation with the social enterprise, through the structuredprogram and beyond. While each mentor/entrepreneur relationship will differ, the mentor may continue towork with and support the entrepreneur for as much as 5 years.
As a Domain Advisor, provide unique technical support to multiple social enterprises in Advisors’ area of special expertise
-
Provide special technical expertise in areas such as technology, supply chain, pricing, finance, or marketing, based on education and/or executive experience
-
Suggest appropriate resources and provide support to entrepreneurs in utilizing and completing any program curriculum or materials
-
Assist enterprise in strengthening capacity in technical areas
-
Maintain flexibility as to time commitment, which is project-based and time-limited per enterprise. Advice could range from 1 meeting to a several month project with multiple engagements.