Our Regional Mentorship Program helps rural entrepreneurs turn ideas into action by pairing them with local business owners who have walked the same path. Built on trust, shared experience, and community connection, this program is designed to reduce barriers and create real opportunities for small business growth in Southeast Kansas.
What We Do
We connect new and emerging entrepreneurs with mentors who have real-life experience running businesses in rural communities. These mentors are not consultants or outsiders—they are peers, neighbors, and champions who know what it takes to start, grow, and sustain a business in our region.
Key Features
- Paid Mentorship: Mentors are compensated $50/hour (up to 3 hours/month)
- Peer-Based Matching: Mentors and mentees are matched based on industry, experience, and lived challenges
- Startup Support: Mentors guide entrepreneurs through common challenges like operations, marketing, customer growth, and navigating rural infrastructure
- Community-Based Recruitment: Participants are recruited through Community Health Workers (CHWs), Local Health Equity Action Teams (LHEATs), and local schools—including business classes and entrepreneurial challenges at area high schools
How It Works
- Mentors and mentees are identified through CHWs, LHEATs, local business owners, and school-based partnerships
- Youth entrepreneurs are engaged through pitch competitions and in-class presentations in collaboration with business teachers
- We host events that foster relationships and visibility, such as Dare to Dream: Women Support Women Entrepreneurs and regional convenings
- Mentorship includes one-on-one support, market insights, and connections to resources specific to rural entrepreneurship
Why It Matters
Rural entrepreneurs often face limited access to capital, few mentorship opportunities, and a lack of tailored support. Our model prioritizes local knowledge, cultural relevance, and building up entrepreneurs in the places they call home.
Core Roles
- Market Matchmaking: Supporting rural businesses like Perry’s Produce in reaching new customer bases and sectors
- Entrepreneur Events: Creating inspiring spaces to pitch, connect, and grow
- Mentor-Led Support: Offering grounded advice from people with firsthand experience
- Storytelling: Highlighting rural entrepreneurs through our partnership with Balloon Media
- Youth Engagement: Partnering with schools to help the next generation turn entrepreneurial ideas into action
Funded & Supported By
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Phase 3 Grant
- CML Collective and Create Campaign (mentorship design and implementation partners)
- Sunflower Foundation (administrative support)
- Kansas Health Foundation / Kansas Food Action Network (supporting equity-centered food entrepreneurship)
Get Involved
Whether you’re launching a business, mentoring the next generation, or teaching entrepreneurship in your classroom—we want to work with you.