At the Growth Mentoring Service (GMS), our mentors aren’t just advisors — they’re collaborators, guides, and sounding boards for business owners who are past the startup phase but still figuring things out. Our founders are building solid, real-world companies. Their businesses might not grab headlines, but they’re solving practical, everyday problems — and growing fast enough that they need support to do it well.

Here’s who we’re looking for — and why fit matters:

• You want to give back: You’ve been there. You know how hard it is to build something from the ground up. You’re ready to share what you’ve learned — not to be the hero, but to help someone else succeed.
• You’re comfortable with mess: The founders we work with are often still ironing things out. They’re generating revenue, but strategy, systems, and scale are still evolving. If you enjoy rolling up your sleeves and asking thoughtful questions to cut through the noise, you’ll thrive here.
• You appreciate businesses that aren’t “shiny”: Most of our companies aren’t building the next unicorn app. They’re HVAC companies, commercial cleaning services, food manufacturers — real businesses doing real work. If you respect that kind of grit, this is your kind of place.
• You work well in a team: GMS is built on group mentoring. Each founder is supported by a team of mentors — typically three to four people with varied expertise. We believe that better outcomes come from a multitude of perspectives and collaborative problem-solving.
• You speak up (thoughtfully): This isn’t a lecture. It’s the Socratic method in action — asking questions to spark insight. If you’re comfortable nudging someone toward a better decision rather than giving them the answer, you’ll fit right in.
• You lead with advice, not directives: Our mentors don’t tell founders what to do. Instead, they guide. They listen. They offer seasoned insight, but they also respect that the founder is the one running the business.
• You’re willing to commit your time (we ask for at least 3 hours per month): Attend our monthly all-mentor meeting (in-person at ECJC), join at least one mentoring team and attend their mentorship meetings, complete a quick post-meeting survey to help us track outcomes, this work is most impactful when you’re consistently engaged and invested.
• You can be there — in person: All GMS mentor and team meetings are live and in-person at ECJC. If your travel schedule means you’re often unavailable, this might not be the best fit right now, but we're flexible on a case-by-case basis. Schedule an appointment and let's discuss it.
• You’re open to growing yourself: Many of our mentors find that being part of GMS sharpens their own thinking, expands their network, and reenergizes their sense of purpose. If you come with a generous mindset and a learner’s curiosity, you’ll get as much as you give.
  
  We’re building a community of mentors who believe in the power of practical businesses, meaningful dialogue, and consistent support. The magic happens when the right mentors meet the right founders — and they grow together.
  
  Ready to get involved? Apply now! Schedule a time to talk. Or, start by attending a monthly mentor meeting, get to know the community, and join a team when it feels like a good fit.