GROW WITH GUIDANCE
The 1909 Mentor Program connects experienced mentors with entrepreneurs to help start, scale, and thrive in Palm Beach County. Whether you're a founder seeking guidance or a mentor ready to give back — there's a place for you here.
WHAT IS THE 1909 MENTOR PROGRAM?
1909 is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) committed to the holistic growth of entrepreneurs, small business owners, creative freelancers, and innovators. Our Mentor Program gives you access to experienced professionals who can help you navigate your biggest business challenges — for free.
Specialty Mentorship
Targeted guidance based on a mentor's specific expertise. Perfect for one-off tactical sessions — pricing, marketing, legal, fundraising, or operations.
Ongoing Mentorship
Build a deeper relationship through regular one-on-one or group sessions. Great for founders working through larger strategic questions over time.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
This guide covers your responsibilities, core beliefs, and how the program works. Read through each section — you'll confirm your understanding below.
- Identify Your Needs & Schedule: Determine your mentorship needs and coordinate meetings directly with your mentor.
- Prepare an Agenda: Submit a meeting agenda to your mentor beforehand so the session is focused.
- Provide Feedback: Complete a feedback form after each session. Crucial for tracking mentor hours and improving the program.
- Report Issues: Contact The 1909 Team at [email protected].
- Assertiveness: Take charge of your own growth and be open to honest feedback.
- Gratitude & Engagement: Show appreciation for your mentor's time and follow through on action items.
- Diversity & Learning: Value diverse perspectives and remain willing to learn.
Our mentors commit to:
- Interest & Fit: Mentors choose mentees that genuinely interest them.
- Focus on Development: Mentors nurture you as an entrepreneur, not just your idea.
- Selflessness: Guidance without selling services. A give-first community.
- Respect & Challenge: Respectful challenge and celebration of progress.
Step 1 — Empower: Arrive with a prepared agenda focused on your priorities.
Step 2 — Share Expertise: Your mentor shares what has worked, what hasn't, and how it relates to your challenges.
Step 3 — Open-Ended Questions: Expect questions like "What's holding you back?" to deepen critical thinking.
Step 4 — Ground: Share your biggest takeaway. Set clear action steps for accountability.
- Community Engagement through networking events and mixers.
- Access to Resources via the #mentoring Slack channel.
- Workshops led by subject matter experts.
- Recommended Reading: The Coaching Habit and Steve Blank's free course.
Confirm Your Understanding
Review the guide above and check each item
HOW TO GET A MENTOR
Follow these steps to connect with the right mentor for your needs.
Identify Your Needs
Get clear on what you need. Tactical challenge or ongoing strategic guidance? This determines the right mentor and session type.
Browse the Directory
Log into the 1909 member portal and access the Mentor Directory. Filter by specialty and find someone whose experience aligns with your needs.
Reach Out & Schedule
Contact your chosen mentor through the directory or the #mentoring Slack channel. Coordinate a time that works for both of you.
Prepare Your Agenda
Send your mentor a brief agenda with topics or questions beforehand. This ensures productive, focused sessions.
Meet, Learn & Report
Have your session, take notes, and complete the feedback form afterwards. Required for tracking and program improvement.
- Be specific. Vague questions get vague answers. Come with concrete challenges.
- Listen more than you talk. Give your mentor room to share their experience.
- Follow through. Act on advice or communicate why you went a different direction.
- Try multiple mentors. Different perspectives for different challenges.
- Respect their time. Show up on time, stay on agenda, keep sessions focused.
- Use the Slack channel. Great for quick questions and connecting with the community.
GIVE BACK. SHAPE THE FUTURE.
As a 1909 Mentor, you'll share your expertise with driven entrepreneurs in Palm Beach County. Whether you offer one-off tactical sessions or ongoing mentorship, your experience makes a real difference.
Specialty Mentorship
Share guidance through one-off tactical sessions. Founders come with focused questions in your area — finance, marketing, operations, design, tech.
Ongoing Mentorship
Build deeper relationships through regular sessions. Guide founders through strategic decisions, growth challenges, and long-term planning.
Choose mentees that genuinely interest you. The best mentorship happens with authentic curiosity and mutual respect.
Nurture the person, not just the idea. Help founders develop as leaders and decision-makers — skills that last regardless of the venture.
Offer guidance without selling services. This is a give-first community. The reward is in helping someone grow.
Challenge mentees respectfully and celebrate progress. Ask hard questions, push thinking, encourage action — in a supportive environment.
WHAT YOU GET AS A MENTOR
Office Hours
30-minute sessions for tactical feedback and peer support with other mentors.
Training Sessions
60-minute sessions to hone mentorship skills, get updates, and share success stories.
Community Access
Mentor mixers, networking events, #mentoring Slack, and a community of professionals.
TRAINING & SUPPORT SESSIONS
All sessions held on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 4:00 PM.
| Date | Type |
|---|---|
| Thursday, February 13 | Office Hours |
| Thursday, March 13 | Office Hours |
| Thursday, April 10 | Quarterly Training |
| Thursday, May 8 | Office Hours |
| Wednesday, June 25 | Mentor Mixer |
| Thursday, July 10 | Quarterly Training |
| Thursday, August 14 | Office Hours |
| Thursday, September 11 | Office Hours |
| Thursday, October 9 | Quarterly Training |
| Thursday, November 13 | Office Hours |
| Thursday, December 11 | Office Hours |
HOW TO BECOME A MENTOR
Apply Online
Fill out the mentor application. Tell us about your background, expertise, and what you'd like to offer.
Attend Quarterly Training
New mentors attend a 60-minute onboarding in January, April, July, or October.
Set Up Your Profile
Complete your profile with expertise, availability, and interests. Shared in the portal so founders can find you.
Start Mentoring
Get added to #mentoring Slack, accept sessions, and make an impact in the PBC entrepreneurial ecosystem.
READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
Join professionals helping Palm Beach County's entrepreneurs build something meaningful. Apply today.