Chapter 1: Genesis of an Idea

• Idea came from a series of events.
• Going to an accelerator of 3 as a full-time tech consultant after making software for larger enterprises for a decade.
• Supporting over 50 startups with software architecture and change management, damage control, and zero-to-one initiatives.

Chapter 2: Mentoring and Realization

• 🟢 Mentoring people who couldn't afford my services at their stage.
• Launched office hours to mentor.
• This introduced SMB owners looking to leverage tech.
• When mentoring, I never asked for any compensation; it didn't feel right to charge at this point of their journey.
• I related to most of the people I supported; it was how I gauged to work with them and why they sought and appreciated my support.
• I found interest in working with accelerators, after going through four myself.

Chapter 3: Key Moments and Shifts

• 🟢 Many of my mentees "graduated" from needing my office hours; they would land a large gig, pivot into a new career direction, or make the hire that would nullify my support.
• Mentorships work.
• I then decided I want to make this a percentage of my working time, to provide mentorship with the goal of job creation; it's my way of giving back, deeply aligned to the SDG #8.

Chapter 4: Discovery and Challenge

• 🟢 Soon after college, I found I'm dyslexic and overall neurodivergent.
• A mentor at the time brought it to my attention.
• It's a goal of mine to start a school after retirement focused on the gaps I had throughout my education and mentorship I received along the way.

Chapter 5: Engaging with the Ecosystem