How Mentoring Works
Free • Personal • Flexible
Launch • Grow • Thrive
A Free Service for Every Business Owner
Cleveland Business Mentors is a free service available to any aspiring or established owner of a U.S.-based business. There are no fees, no contracts, and no commitments — just experienced guidance from people who have been where you are.
Our mentors partner with you to support your success by providing experienced advice, consulting on best practices, and educating you on key small business topics.
Why CBM Mentoring is Different
Every mentor match is personally curated by our team — no algorithms. We reach out proactively to make sure you connect with the right mentor, with the real-world experience you actually need. Our flexible process adapts to you, not the other way around.
Steps for Mentoring
Getting started is simple. Follow these four steps to begin your mentoring journey.
1
Identify Your Needs
Identify the type of mentoring you would like — from business planning to marketing, finance, operations, and more.
2
Select a Mentor
Browse our mentor network and select a mentor, or submit a request and our team will personally match you with the right fit.
3
Meet with Your Mentor
Connect with your mentor in person or virtually. Sessions are flexible, confidential, and focused on your goals.
4
Develop Your Plan
Work with your mentor to develop and implement an actionable plan. Every session ends with clear next steps.
How It Works
Our mentoring program is built around your needs — not a rigid process.
Personally Curated Matches
Every mentor match is personally curated by our team. No algorithms — just thoughtful pairing based on your industry, stage, and goals.
Proactive Outreach
We proactively reach out to ensure you connect with the right mentor with real-world experience relevant to your specific situation.
Flexible Scheduling
Our flexible processes adapt to you — not rigid scheduling. Meet when it works for you, in person or virtually.
Completely Confidential
Mentoring sessions are totally confidential. It’s a safe space where you can speak openly about your business without judgment.
Progress-Driven Sessions
Every session ends with clear next steps. Our mentoring is action-oriented — you leave each meeting with a concrete plan to move forward.