KEC Mentoring Program

To put it simply – starting a business is hard. A lot of you know, you’ve done it. And you probably had some help. There is nothing more rewarding for a successful entrepreneur than the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with a startup.

There is nothing more valuable to a new entrepreneur than learning from someone who has done it before. Mentors can provide strength, guidance, and the wisdom to help early-stage businesses move forward with confidence and purpose.

The KEC mentoring program aims to connect founders with the experts that are going to be able to answer their questions, and hopefully help guide them to effective next steps in their business.

We welcome people on both sides of this scenario – Mentors and Mentees – to submit the interest forms below to join the network of entrepreneurs sharing their knowledge!

"Having a mentor truly changed my trajectory in life. When you have someone in your corner telling you what you CAN do, it’s amazing what you WILL do."

"Finding a mentor is like having a personal cheerleader who helps you navigate the ups and downs of your journey. I remember a mentor once telling me ‘you never want to be the smartest person in the room’ and I have put this into practice ever since! By tapping into the wisdom of others and staying active in your community, you unlock doors to more possibilities, surround yourself with like-minded supporters, and keep the adventure of growth exciting!"

WORKING WITH A MENTOR

Our mentorship program is a little different than traditional mentor and coaching programs.

We do not set folks up with a designated mentor and expect them to meet X times over X months. We want to keep things flexible for business owners, because we know y’all have a LOT going on.

Mentees will fill out the interest form linked below, providing information about their business and what questions/topics are their most immediate need. The KEC team will then send mentor recommendations and a list of office hour signups.

Business owners can them schedule one session with one mentor, or three sessions with three mentors. Whatever cadence is going to help you get your questions answered – we are here to make it work!

BEING A MENTOR

Our mentorship program is a little different than traditional mentor and coaching programs.

We do not set folks up with a designated mentor and expect them to meet X times over X months. We want to keep things flexible for business owners, because we know y’all have a LOT going on.

Potential Mentors will fill out the interest form linked below, providing information about their experience, their specialties, and why they’r’e interested in mentoring with KEC. The KEC team will then set up a time to chat and figure out the best fit!

Whether you’re interested in mentoring in one-on-one office hours, or leading workshops on specific topics, we will make sure you are connected with the Knoxville entrepreneurial ecosystem.

**MEET A FEW OF OUR MENTORS**

Halee Sprinkle | Czech Yourself Marketing

Halee Sprinkle is the owner and Marketing Alchemist at Czech Yourself Marketing. With over 15 years of experience in corporate and agency marketing, she now specializes in social media marketing, creative ideation, and content planning. Her career has been a blend of creativity and strategy, bringing fresh, engaging ideas to the table while ensuring they align with business goals. She thrives on turning challenges into opportunities and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs grow and succeed. Whether it’s brainstorming the next big campaign or fine-tuning a content calendar, Halee brings a fun yet professional approach to everything she does.

NEXT STEPS

After filling out either the “Meet with a Mentor” or “Be a Mentor” forms above, people interested in working with a mentor will be sent recommendations and a list of available mentors based on their needs.

Potential mentors will be contacted to set up a time to meet with our Chief Experience Officer, Chris McAdoo, to see where we can best get you involved in our mentoring lineup!