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MAD (Make a Difference) Mentors help 10 businesswomen to succeed

Ten women who had their dreams of being mentored by some of the most successful women in business come true, are half way through their Make a Difference 'MAD' tutorship in the FreshIdeas Events Mentor Competition.

 

During the past three months these female entrepreneurs and career women have had their ideas scrutinised, digested, pummelled and re-crunched, and finally ... gently nurtured into shape with the help of the best businesswomen in the industry!

In November 2008, the winners of the FreshIdeas Events Competition met their Mentors, appropriately named Make A Difference (MAD) women, for the first time at a ceremony on the 34th floor of the prestigious BT Tower and set off on their 6 month mentoring adventure together. In May, the most successful 'Mentor Mentee Couple' will be chosen and awarded the Grand MAD Mentor Prize.

Supported by HSBC, BT Business and Business Link in London, these businesswomen are great examples of start up businesses who have spotted an opportunity to get an experienced guide and mentor to help them navigate through the uncertain economic conditions. And even greater is the notion that the experienced Mentors are actually learning from their enthusiastic Mentees!

As they just pass the half way mark, all 10 mentees have confessed that they have been on an exciting and inspiring roller coaster ride - and they don't want to get off!

One of the winners is, Paula Wynne, from Remote Employment, an online business dedicated to remote working. Paula's mentor is inspirational entrepreneur and founder of Simply Switch, Karen Darby, who sold her company to the Daily Mail in 2006 for £22m.

Paula has said that after her first meeting with Karen she was on fire and is still in a constant state of inspiration. She said: "The help and guidance I have received from Karen is invaluable. I have learnt so much and now have growth avenues set up for Remote Employment. Like the other mentees I feel very blessed to have been given this excellent mentoring opportunity!"

As well as a sales revenue injection directly resulting from guidance and planning with Karen, Paula will soon launch the Remote Worker Awards, (www.remoteworkerawards.com) which could become one of the UK's top business awards with prizes already stacked up to a whopping £60k and rising!

Paula will be featured in The Prince's Trust May Day Network on Sky News as one of the SMEs that is working towards reducing their carbon footprint.