You can help transform a young

person’s idea into reality

Mentor in our next 8-week virtual programs, applications are now open.

Mentor with BITS

I think the greatest value of the program is the mentorship. Man, is entrepreneurship lonely. Multiple mentees told me they were ready to call it quits, but knew I'd be waiting for them, so they showed up.

Lucia Hernandez, BITS Mentor

BITS Mentors are:

          • Professionals with an understanding of small business principles, or
          • Entrepreneurs with 3-5 years of experience
          • Caring, empathetic, personable and action-orientated
          • Inclusive to all

Upcoming Mentoring Dates

Help Young Canadians believe in their ideas and bring them to life. Mentor in one of our upcoming cohorts.

Fall 2023

Mentor Training: Thursday, September 7th from 6-8pm

Week 1: Saturday, September 9th from 10:30am to 1pm

Week 2: Saturday, September 16th from 9:30am to 1pm

Week 3: Saturday, September 23rd from 9:30am to 1pm

Week 4: Saturday, September 30th from 9:30am to 1pm

Week 5: Saturday, October 14th from 9:30am to 1pm

Week 6: Saturday, October 21st from 9:30am to 1pm

Week 7: Saturday, October 28th from 9:30am to 1pm

Week 8: Saturday, November 4th is the graduation day and pitch event which will take place from 10am to 3pm.

Winter 2024

Exact Dates TBD 

Saturdays 9:30am to 1pm

Why should I mentor with Business in the Streets (BITS)?

At BITS, we take a high degree of care for the young people we have the honour of serving. That’s because we see the potential in them. We envision a world where all young people believe in the potential of their ideas, it’s what motivates us to do what we do.

 

We see young people as inventive, resourceful, and full of possibility. Whether it is an idea to start a fitness, apparel, or design business, or to grow the next non-profit that changes lives around the world. We believe that ideas have the power to make the world better… and that there is nothing like entrepreneurship to give people the freedom to explore those ideas and make them a reality.

 

But we can’t do it alone, we need empathetic, caring, and action-driven people who are willing to support the transformation of young people and help their ideas see the light of day! We need people like you to join us, in helping young people turn their ideas into reality. Will you join us?

I'm in, what's the commitment?

  • We offer 2 core programs, YCEO and Boot Camp. Both are run virtually on zoom by a BITS facilitator for 8-weeks on Saturdays.
  • Mentors are assigned 2 or 3 mentees for the duration of the 8-weeks.
  • All sessions are mandatory because our programs are short and intensive 100% attendance is required.
  • Pre-programs: Mentor Meet and Greet. Thursday night before programs start. 2-hour commitment.
  • Week 1: Orientation Day. Saturday. 2.5-hour commitment.
  • Week 2 -7: Program Sessions. Saturdays. 3.5-hour commitment each week.
  • Week 8: Final Event. Saturday. 3 hour commitment.

FAQ'S

Who are the entrepreneurs I will be mentoring?

You will be mentoring Entrepreneurs who are:

  • Aged between 18 -34
  • Still in ideation stages
  • Pre business processes or structures
  • Operating through trial and error
  • Typically under two years in operation
  • Typically under $10,000/year in revenue
  • Needing support getting their ideas into actionable steps
  • Large majority are BIPOC
As a Mentor what is the time commitment and program structure like?
  • Pre-program: “Mentor Meet and Greet” is usually scheduled on the Thursday night prior to your program start date, this session will introduce you to the program facilitator and the other mentors in your cohort. This session is dedicated to running you through the syllabus for the following 8-weeks and for BITS staff and/or facilitators to answer any questions you may have leading into the commencement of the program.
  • Week 1: Orientation, is held on a Saturday for 2.5-hours, and is an opportunity for Mentors to connect with their Mentees. This session is usually scheduled between 10:30am and 1pm, but will be confirmed on a cohort per cohort basis.
  • Weeks 2 through 6: Training sessions are held on Saturdays and require Mentors to participate in learning sessions. For this 3.5-hour session, Mentors will be required to spend 50% of this time, engaging with Mentees on activities, and the other 50% in participating in the content being taught by sharing insights and experiences. This class flow allows for a balanced experience of discussion and exercise/work. Your start and end time will be determined by what program you will be mentoring in, but usually, the time slots are 9:30am to 1pm for YCEO and 10:30am to 2pm for Boot Camp.
  • Week 8: Final Event, on this Saturday, mentors are only required to join the audience and say a few words about their mentorship experience, this day takes up approximately 3 hours.

A large number of our mentors return and refer their friends, suggesting, that even though the experience is an investment, the ROI is extremely fulfilling and worthwhile.

What type of businesses do my Mentees have?

We get a wide range of businesses and ideas through our programs, from fitness businesses to non-profits, from dog treats to music beats. The beauty is, that as a mentor, you can help by being a listening ear and a non-judgmental voice, helping these entrepreneurs navigate their thoughts and ideas whilst guiding them through the content.

How many Entrepreneurs will I be Mentoring?

We aim to pair mentors with a maximum of 2-3 young people.

Will I be paired with the same Entrepreneur for the entire program?

Yes, once you are paired with your entrepreneurs, you will only mentor them for the 8-weeks. Sometimes people leave the program or a mentor may not be able to complete the program, in these circumstances, we may ask you to mentor another Entrepreneur.

What does the mentoring relationship look like?

As a Mentor, you will be supporting your Mentees during the Saturday zoom sessions. Whilst also checking-in virtually with your Mentee at least once throughout the week at an agreed-upon time. The key here, is mentoring with empathy but also, setting clear boundaries and expectations with your Mentee. They need to commit to the process, so be clear on what you expect from them, so you can provide the most value to them.

What are my responsibilities?
  • As a Mentor, you are responsible for providing a safe and inclusive space for conversation to take place, between you and your Mentee.
  • You are responsible for following up with your Mentee and keeping them accountable, always through the lens of empathy first.
  • You are responsible for being committed to your Mentee by being on-time, joining in on the Saturday sessions, encouraging discussion in the lecture portion, being actively present on the call by providing insights or simply interacting with the content.
Do I need to bring or teach content?

No, we have Facilitators who are equipped with the content and will deliver it, in a lecture format. You will need to be aware of the content and gather enough of an understanding to be able to engage in conversation and give feedback to your Mentee, when in breakouts or when discussing the material outside of the zoom sessions.

What is BITS looking for in a Mentor?

The BITS Mentor role is best suited for young professionals or young entrepreneurs, who are able to commit to being present for the Saturday sessions. What we look for is people, who care about the Entrepreneurs that they will be mentoring, who understand that being a Mentor is more than just showing up, but about empathizing with their Mentee. We are all about action-oriented learning, so we don’t expect you to spoon-feed your Mentee, but simply provide a helping hand and a listening ear and use your own experiences to help shape their ideas and thoughts into actionable steps. Don’t be afraid to ask for support from your Facilitator, other Mentors or BITS staff if you need it. We are always here to help.