Recognizing the tireless dedication of entrepreneurial mentors

Recognizing the tireless dedication of entrepreneurial mentors

CYBF celebrates National Volunteer Week 2014

Toronto, Canada – April 10, 2014 – The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is celebrating National Volunteer Week 2014 with a campaign that recognizes the impact that mentors have on the success of young entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs from across the country have joined in, expressing heartfelt thanks via blogs and social media, using the hashtag #WeHeartMentors.

“CYBF goes to great lengths to match each entrepreneur with a mentorwhose business experience complements the aspirations of the entrepreneur. I quickly discovered how important a dedicated and insightful mentor can be in both business and in life,” said entrepreneur, Ben Cappellaci of New District in Vancouver, BC, about his mentor Murray Barton. “There is a tremendous amount that Murray continues to teach me about aspects of business and interpersonal relationships that I could never have anticipated. Our business, New District is well underway and we owe much of our success to the support and guidance of our mentor.”

The anecdotal evidence provided by young entrepreneurs has recently been verified through a research partnership between CYBF and Dr Sean Wise from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. The joint research study “What Young Entrepreneurs Get From Their Mentors”, provides evidence that mentors increase both business skills and the personal effectiveness skills of young entrepreneurs. The study found that there are many skills that mentors bring to the table to impact new venture success, including: identifying issues before they arise; crafting solutions to obstacles based on prior experience; providing a role model for the founder to emulate; and acting as a decision making sounding board.

A thank-you gift from CYBF.  When CYBF asked mentors what resources could be provided to strengthen their mentoring relationships, the resounding response was “professional development”. CYBF is pleased to announce a new offering:  Entrepreneurial Mentoring –Cultivating the Art, a token of CYBF’s appreciation for our mentors who make a difference. Thanks to generous support from Accenture Global, we are delivering a free six-week, online, professional development seminar for CYBF mentors in partnership with The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University.  This  seminar highlights both academic and practical expertise in the field of entrepreneurial mentoring so mentors can become even more effective at transferring skills and guiding entrepreneurs toward success CYBF mentors can sign-up for the course at cybf.ca/cybf_mentoring/entrepreneurial-mentoring-cultivating-the-art/

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About the Canadian Youth Business Foundation
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to growing our nation’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character not collateral, when providing youth aged 18-39 with pre-launch coaching, business resources, low-interest financing of up to $15,000, and industry-leading mentoring to help them launch and sustain successful businesses. CYBF’s co-financing partner, the Business Development Bank of Canada, leverages CYBF’s application process to provide up to $30,000 in additional support for CYBF entrepreneurs.

 

Established in 1996, CYBF has been recognized as a global leader in advancing youth entrepreneurship. CYBF is a founding member of the global G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian member of The Prince’s Youth Business International and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 18-24, 2013). www.cybf.ca.

About The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education – Ryerson University

Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education (www.ryerson.ca/ce) is Canada’s foremost provider of university-based adult education, facilitating access to the University’s renowned, professionally relevant courses and programs. Since 1975, we have been delivering leading-edge workplace knowledge that empowers learners to reach their personal and professional goals. We have approximately 70,000 annual enrollments (in 1,500 courses) in Arts; Business; Communication and Design; Community Services; Engineering, Architecture, and Science; Gateway for International Professionals; Programs for 50+; and Spanning the Gaps – Access to Post-Secondary Education. We also offer 93 career-related certificate programs and numerous course series, with 20 certificate programs that can be completed entirely at a distance. Our flexible, accessible programming is available on campus, via distance education, and off-site for employee groups at leading organizations.

About Ted Rogers School of Management

Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University is Canada’s pre-eminent entrepreneurial-focused business school that is shaping the country’s next generation of global innovators and leaders. The school’s focus on academic rigor, combined with real world, relevant curriculum, provides students with experiential learning and critical thinking skills needed to solve the challenges facing today’s fast-changing economy. Ted Rogers School of Management is home to six schools of management, 12 cuttingedge research centres and institutes and offers three innovative graduate degrees, including two MBA degrees and one research-focused Master’s degree. Ted Rogers School of Management is AACSB accredited, and has nearly 10,000 students and 200 faculty and staff from around the world. Its’ students, faculty and alumni are connected with business and community leaders to fuel Toronto and the world’s economic growth, prosperity and creative talent. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca/tedrogersschool/

For more information, contact:

Nicolee Tattersall

Manager, Media Relations

Canadian Youth Business Foundation
ntattersall@cybf.ca

416-408-2923 ext. 2208

 

Kate Marshall

Director, Marketing and Communications

Ted Rogers School of Management

kate.marshall@ryerson.ca

(416) 979-5000 x 6569