Released on March 30, 2007
Aspiring entrepreneurs are learning from experienced business owners in the Battlefords region through Saskatchewan’s Business Mentorship Institute mentorship program.
“Entrepreneurs play an important role in keeping Saskatchewan’s economy strong,” Health Minister and Battlefords MLA Len Taylor said on behalf of Deputy Premier and Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Clay Serby. “Mentorship programs such as this, foster business development and ensure that entrepreneurs have access to the support they require to reach their goals.”
The mentorship program, conducted as a pilot project in the Battlefords region, targets the specific needs of protégés and finds mentors who can meet those needs. Sharon Mohagen and Kathy Adams, owners of the event planning service Blue Rentals, are among the first to benefit from the program. The entrepreneurs have been mentored by Battlefords mayor and experienced businessman Chris Odishaw.
“Moving from a home-based business to a storefront location presented us with some new and different challenges, and we’ve been introduced to some new and innovative marketing strategies by our mentors,” Mohagen said. “We are pleased with the knowledge and expertise that has been shared with us by Chris, and we recommend the program to other businesses.”
The mentorship program is a partnership between Saskatchewan Regional Economic and Co-operative Development, the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Mentorship Institute. Since its inception in August 2006, three Battlefords region entrepreneurs have received mentorship support to improve their businesses.
“Mentors help to build communities,” Business Mentorship Institute executive director Barb Cox-Lloyd said. “We are excited to be a partner in this program with the Battlefords Chamber and Regional Economic and Co-operative Development.”
For more information on the business mentorship program, call the Business Mentorship Institute at 306-964-2011.
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For more information, contact:
Scott Brown
Regional Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: sbrown@agr.gov.sk.ca