Are you a business professional with a passion for giving back to your community? We invite you to become a mentor with the Shaping Portsmouth Business Support Service (PBSS) and help shape the business landscape of Portsmouth by empowering entrepreneurs to succeed.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our city, creating jobs and driving innovation. However, many entrepreneurs face challenges in starting and growing their businesses. A mentor can be a game-changer.
Did you know that businesses with mentors are three times more likely to experience high growth?
Small business owners who have a mentor are five times more likely to start a business, and these businesses are 20% more likely to thrive and grow in their first five years.
As a mentor, you’ll share your invaluable knowledge and experience, driving sustainable growth and innovation in our local economy. You’ll guide entrepreneurs through business complexities, help them overcome hurdles, and inspire them to reach their full potential.
The Role of a Mentor and Expectations
Flexible time commitment: Dedicate as little as six hours over an agreed period, tailoring the mentorship to suit both you and your mentee.
Guidance and support: Offer honest, constructive feedback to your mentee.
Witness impact: See firsthand the positive influence of your mentorship on a Portsmouth business.
Formal agreement: Your commitment is protected by a signed agreement, ensuring clarity and mutual expectations.
As a PBSS mentor, you’ll enjoy:
- Professional growth: Expand your network, enhance your leadership skills, and gain fresh perspectives by working with aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Community impact: Contribute to the vitality of Portsmouth’s business ecosystem and make a lasting difference in the lives of local entrepreneurs.
- Recognition: Be acknowledged for your commitment to mentorship through a digital badge and the option to showcase your involvement on the Shaping Portsmouth PBSS Mentor page, linkable to your LinkedIn or website.
- Networking opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals at events like the Shaping Portsmouth Business Leaders Forum, connecting you with over 100 business professionals.
Success Stories
We’ve witnessed incredible outcomes from our mentor-mentee matches. Here are two examples:
Luca Frederick, Locallinked: Luca was matched with Brian Harpur, Managing Director of GRP Solutions. Together, they identified the need for a mobile app as the next step for Locallinked. Thanks to an introduction facilitated by Shaping Portsmouth, City of Portsmouth College IT students developed an app for his business. Read the full story here.
Lisa Gough, Lisa Dawson Ltd: Lisa, who runs a ladies’ designer occasion wear business, was paired with Jonathan Bird, Managing Director of Delivered Social. In Lisa’s own words: “Jon and his team have been absolutely amazing. Jon is not only incredibly knowledgeable, but his proactive ‘let’s just do it’ attitude has been exactly what I needed. Since he took me under his wing, my social media presence has skyrocketed, leading to a steady increase in sales. I am truly grateful for his support and would love to share my appreciation with those who should know”.
Jonathan said “Supporting Lisa has been a joy and seeing the turnaround in such a short space of time, with all the hard work she’s done, really has been a joint effort.”
Click here to watch a video of Lisa speaking about her journey
Let’s work together to build a stronger, more vibrant business community in Portsmouth. #transformingPortsmouthTogether.
Contact Marian today to start your mentorship journey at, marian.glover@shapingportsmouth.co.uk.
