Mentoring for SKU is something special. It’s a transformative experience that positively impacts the mentors as much a the founders.
I started mentoring for SKU Track 7. After selling my TextureMedia (NaturallyCurly), I was attracted to the idea of mentoring other entrepreneurs – sharing the dos, and possibly just as important, the don’ts. I was recruited by SKU because of my beauty background and didn’t really know what to expect.
I walked into one of the most energizing, educational and rewarding experiences of my career. The intensive curriculum was like an CPG MBA program taught by top national experts.
But what really made the experience special – both for me as a mentor and for founders – were the mentors. Walking into the room, it was an incredibly impressive group – founders and top executives at leading CPG companies. They are the cream of the crop.
Mentors in recent programs include executives at companies like Frito-Lay, Mondelez and New Hope Network (producers of Expo West and Expo East). They have innovated products for Starbuck’s and worked on “The Most Interesting Man in the World” campaign for Dos Equis. They are the people behind some of the most innovative products on the market.
At the beginning of the 12-week program, we are divided into hand-picked team for each brand based on what was needed, whether that be branding, operations, channel strategy or all of the above. Everyone works together as a team to provide the skills and subject-matter expertise that’s needed, drawing on our own individual networks to connect them with others who can help. For the founders, it’s like having their own C-Suite or board of directors. Many mentors go on to be advisors, investors and, in some cases, may be hired by the company.
Mentors all are united by our desire to help promising consumer product startups achieve maximum success, and we believe resources and relationships are essential ingredients to that success.
We are looking for successful, passionate industry leaders, subject-matter experts, serial entrepreneurs and investors who are looking for to positively affect their lives of CPG founders, while enhancing their own. If that describes you, we’d love to talk with you.
SKU Dallas: Aug. 31st and runs through Nov. 30th
BeyondSKU in New York: October through January
SKU ATX Track 10: January through April.
If you would like more information, we are hosting an Info Session from 12-1 p.m. CT, June 30th. Sign up here.
Or email us at Mentors@sku.is