1824 mentorship program

Navigating the 1824 Mentorship Program & Beyond

The 1824 mentorship program, focused on supporting underrepresented founders, is a fantastic opportunity. But maximizing its impact – and your long-term growth – requires a broader strategy than a single program can provide. It’s about building a sustainable mentorship network, not just a single connection.

The Expert Perspective: Many assume mentorship is a “one-and-done” transaction: book a session, get advice, repeat. This is transactional mentorship. True growth comes from social mentorship – ongoing relationships, public accountability, and learning with others. Programs like 1824 are excellent starting points, but they often lack the continuous support needed to navigate the inevitable challenges of building a business. The real value isn’t just what advice you get, but who you become through the process.

Actionable Steps You Can Take Today:

• Define Your "North Star": Before any mentorship session, clarify your biggest 3-6 month goal. This focuses the conversation and provides measurable progress.
• Prepare Specific Questions: Avoid vague requests like "What should I do?". Instead, ask: "I'm considering X vs. Y for customer acquisition. Given your experience, which would you prioritize and why?"
• Document Everything: Keep a running log of advice, action items, and outcomes. This reveals patterns and helps you refine your approach.
• Expand Your Network: Don’t rely solely on a program. Actively seek out individuals with complementary skills and experiences.
• Share Your Journey: Publicly documenting your progress (even failures!) builds accountability and attracts valuable feedback.

Why Menteo Complements Programs Like 1824:

While programs offer structured introductions, they often fall short in fostering ongoing growth. Menteo is designed to fill that gap. We’re a growth network built around continuous learning and support.

• Growth Threads: Publicly document your journey – your wins, losses, and learnings – fostering accountability and attracting feedback from a supportive community. This builds on the 1824 program by extending the learning beyond scheduled sessions.
• Mentorship Rooms: Go beyond one-off calls. Menteo offers structured 1:1 mentorship with dedicated spaces for ongoing communication and progress tracking.
• Roadmaps: Access curated learning paths designed to accelerate your growth in specific areas, complementing the guidance you receive through 1824.
• Communities: Connect with peers facing similar challenges, share resources, and build lasting relationships.

Reading about mentorship is helpful, but doing it – with consistent support and public accountability – is transformative. Don’t let the momentum from 1824 fade.

Ready to build a mentorship network that fuels your long-term success? Find mentors on Menteo today.