Our Mentors

[we can't wait to work with you!]

We know that creating successful companies takes the whole community, and we also know that everyone has something to give. In fact, we rely on community members to supplement the hard work of our core staff.

Our 2020 VMS Mentors

Mentor

Matt McFee

Mentor

Jose D. Alvarez

Jose Alvarez is the Assistant Vice President as Prospera USA-formerly HBIF. Jose’s professional experience and passion have been in the multicultural small business and marketing fields. Jose started his career in a public relations agency in Florida as the Hispanic Division Director handling multicultural advertising and public relations. He also has experience with the Central Florida office of the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF) and served as Business Development and Marketing Specialist to counsel local Hispanic business owners. In addition to establishing and managing the organization’s marketing and communications department, he also had the opportunity to work in Venezuela for one of the largest cultural bi-national centers in Latin America as the Academic Adult Program Coordinator. He then returned to Prospera (previously HBIF) initially as a Business Development and Education Consultant then as an Assistant Vice President to support the organization’s South Florida expansion. He has now been promoted to open and lead Prospera’s office in Charlotte, the first out of Florida as part of a national expansion with a focus on providing Hispanic entrepreneurs support and access to economic opportunity.

His mentoring skills include:

Managing numerous clients through ongoing customer service
One-on-one counseling
Business assessment
Business and marketing plans review
Minority certifications and access to capital preparation
Micro-business educational programs
Managing the hosting infrastructure
Developing a promotional system
Overseeing projects to ensure compliance with applicable contracts, city, county, state, federal codes, ordinances, and laws
Assisting in coordinating these activities with appropriate agency contacts
Preparing all reports and information required for submission to all public sector funding agencies and all private funding sponsors;
Assisting with business and marketing plan development
Identifying resources for customers within the community
Supervising and coordinating the activities of business development specialists and consultants and other staff personnel
Supporting effective policies in place to attract, develop and motivate office personnel
Rendering advice, assistance, and guidance to subordinates
Helping set goals for the following year

Mentor

Joanna Beck

Joanna Beck is the Founder and CEO of Beck Insights. Her company is a management consulting business that has the expertise required to efficiently evaluate the challenges and opportunities facing a variety of businesses. Their focus works with the clients’ company, leadership team, and employees to develop and implement bespoke solutions that are tailored to the unique needs and strengths of their respective organizations. Beck Insights has extensive experience and brings professionalism to every situation. The company focused on one core objective – maximizing value for their clients’ company and its stakeholders.

Her mentoring skills include:

Versatility
Results-oriented leadership
Extensive experience in transformation
Change management
Project management
Strategy development
Customer relations
Maintaining financial control
Systematic planner and goal achieving
Exemplary communication skills, both written and verbal
Follow through

David Christofaro

David’s passion is helping his customers move their business forward, specifically by delivering insight into their customers and business operations that they’ve not had before. With new insight, companies can make better business decisions on how to deepen customer relationships, reduce churn, drive cross-/up-sell, capitalize on market growth, reduce operational costs, and mitigate risk. Obtaining new business insights isn’t rocket-science — it requires the application of better data, advanced analytics and improved business processes. But more than any of these, achieve new business insights requires a commitment by LOB leaders to buck the status quo and open their minds to bringing a new lens to how they view their business, customers and competitors.

His background is a blend of management consulting (Accenture) and sales, which contributes to him having a strong solution / consultative sales approach.

His areas of expertise include:

Software sales, management consulting, financial services

Sales and marketing

Customer Acquisition, Revenue Streams and Strategies

Mentor

Dan Comisar

Dan Comisar is currently with Bright Dime Financial Wellness Company and the Principal at Comisar Advisory LLC. He is an affiliate/senior advisor with a targeted group of transformational firms. His company is a comprehensive financial wellness solution to benefit employers and employees. Everything they do supports those who join them on the path of financial wellness. Their solution is the most innovative and effective way for financial wellness to become a lifestyle available to anyone. The company combines technology, coaching, and education to change employees’ behaviors so that being financially well is a lifelong journey. He is a human capital leader with a focus on FinTech, Banking, and Private Equity Sectors.

His mentor skill set includes:

Strategy
Business Development
Focus on FinTech, Banking, and Private Equity Sectors

Mentor

Spencer Disher

As someone with experience in the startup of businesses, Spenser is at the point in life where sharing some of his insights is important to him. Giving back is important to him.

He currently serves as an angel investor, advisor and volunteer in a finance capacity for various not-for-profits. He also serves as an adjunct instructor in the business college at Johnson and Wales University. Previously co-managed the startup and ongoing operations of a multi-billion dollar investment subsidiary of a multinational French financial institution.

His mentor skill set includes:

Funding and Strategy
Light IT
Angel Funding
Bootstrapping Customer Acquisition
Business Model Validation
Review of Financials

Mentor

Sakib Kadak

Sakib Kadak is the Founder and CEO at Axiom Path. Axiom Path is a Data Analytics company that helps its clients better utilize and enable insights which are foundational in a paradigm shift in how businesses operate. His company wants to lead their clients through a journey that is empowered by all things data and committed to creating value by providing the highest quality of professional consulting services. Integral to his approach are: Quality – Drawing upon our deep experience to deliver consistently high-quality services by integrating quality as a core aspect of every delivery. Innovation – Continuously investing in our resources to create an environment of Innovation while leading clients seamlessly through high impact change. Strong Relationships – Building relationships based on trust and a commitment to continue investing and strengthening them.

His mentoring skills include:

Advanced Analytics
AI
Big Data Digital Transformation
Management Consulting
IT Strategy
Operations Assessments
Mergers & Acquisitions Programs
Project Management
Data Analytics
Retail Analytics
Organization Change Management
M&A Integrations (Process and Technology)
Program Management
Risk Advisory and Management
Recruiting
Staff Augmentation

Mentor

George Keller

George Keller is the co-founder of Charlotte 3DP which provides 3D printing services and also develops 3D-printed products. His prior experience includes biomedical research, in vitro diagnostic product development and intellectual property licensing and enforcement.

His mentor skill set includes:

Technical and business consulting to startup biotech companies
Intellectual property management
Extensive negotiation experience
Product and business development experience

Mentor

Steven Lewis

Steven Lewis is the Managing Director at Randolph Square IP. He is a profits-focused Financial Services executive with 20+ years of success driving outstanding performance with senior-level expertise in capital markets sales and trading roles. He also possesses an advanced skill set in financial market analysis, client development, and relationship management to achieve an accelerated increase in revenue growth. He is adept at devising successful business strategies and demonstrating value to clients in order to maximize profit potential. He has achieved success in established corporations and start-up financial organizations alike.

His mentoring skill set includes:

Sales & Marketing
Fixed Income Sales
Institutional Client Coverage
Investor Relations
Asset Management
Investment Banking
Broker-Dealer Business Development
Intellectual Property Analysis
Portfolio Management
Relationship Management
Client Development
Capital Raising

Mentor

Matt McFee

Matt is a Founding Partner at BriteVerify, he recently sold his business and he is interested in sharing what he learned with other founders and business owners.

His mentoring skills include:

Technology
Email marketing
Business development
Product development
International expansion
Team Formation
Bootstrapping
Board Formation
Product – Market Fit
Customer Acquisition
Revenue Streams and Strategies

Raja Masunuru

Recognized in May 2013 as a rising vanguard in the industry on CIO Magazine’s prestigious
“Ones to Watch” list, Raja has utilized his expertise in technology strategy, organizational
design, business process optimization, continuous improvement, and analytics-driven
innovation and extended product/service differentiation in the market, increased business
agility and grew revenues for organizations across a diverse set of industries.

He have experience selling technology to B2B customers in retail and hospitality industries so he can help with Business development. Throughout his career, he helped organizations engage their customers better and increase their lifetime value and retention. With experience implementing large scale transformative initiatives and launching new business lines from the ground up, I can assist with change management, team development and protecting IP.

Mentor

Aaron Petrosky

Aaron Petrosky is the President and CEO of RapidOps Inc. His company is responsible for North American business and operations, market strategy, sales & marketing, solution selling, key account management & client satisfaction, solution delivery, partner relations, key partner alliances, strategic partnerships, business development and corporate development. He is a highly-experienced and execution focused executive and consultant with a unique understanding of growing closely-held businesses and navigating the capital markets (M&A Advisor, Capital Raising, Debt Financings). He has worked in a variety of industries, including but not limited to technology, software, SaaS, digital media, and financial services.

His mentoring skills include:

Experience with strengthening, growing and launching companies from all angles
Senior C-Level Management
Management Consulting
Interim Management
Turnarounds & Profitability Improvements
Board Advisory
Investment Banking (M&A, Capital Raising, Debt Financings)
Founding/Owning
Business Development
Corporate Development
Operations
Client Services
Strategy
Finance
Succession Planning
International Business
Branding
Launching Products

Mentor

Andrew Tucker

He has always enjoyed teaching/training/mentoring employees and does that now, to a degree, in his current role with his clients. He views this as a way to help others in the business community which is where his interests lie. Affecting positive change for up & coming and new business owners is exciting to him.

Andrew has a lot to offer with his background (both business and personal), work experience in small (5 employees) to large companies (GE Capital, a division of GE) and education (MBA from Queens University, BS from Pfeiffer University and AAS from Central Piedmont).

He has experience in:

Manufacturing
Distribution/Wholesale
Real Estate
Printing
Non-profit
Food & Restaurant (some)

His mentoring skills include:

Team Formation
Bootstrapping
Term Sheet Review and Negotiation
Board Formation
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Business Model Validation
Review of Financials

Mentor

Lisa Tweardy

Lisa Tweardy is the Principal of Kemo Sabe and Vice President of Business Development for UNYQ. As Principal of Kemo Sabe, she is passionate about reducing preventable harm and accelerating the commercialization of new medical technologies. She has been awarded 19 patents and has published research in Spine and The Journal of Neurosurgery.

Her mentoring skills include:

Prosthetics and Orthotics
3D Printing
Fashion including Western Accessories, Boots, Hats, Vintage, Jewelry, Buckles, Belts, Animal Mounts, and Leather
Personalization
Digital Workflow
Orthopedics and Wearables
Commercialization of new medical technologies
Retail
Business development
Technology management

Judith Jeffries

SENIOR OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE with corporate and non-profit leadership experience, skilled at creating high-performing teams and organizations through strategic planning, talent management and cross functional collaboration. Work with stakeholders at all levels to foster compassionate service, organizational success and competitive advantage. Offer specialized experience in starting-up, staffing, and administering new programs and special initiatives. Expertise gained in talent acquisition and management is readily transferable to the non-profit sector and includes: leadership recruitment and retention; inclusive business practices; community networking; strategic planning; and quality improvements and process optimization. Strongly committed to the value of inclusion, equity and diverse perspectives.

Her areas of expertise include:

• Program development and administration
• Leadership recruitment and retention
• Talent operations management
• Transition and change management
• Start-up experience
• Diversity and inclusion
• Training facilitation and presentation
• Marketing and brand messaging
• Compliance and data analytics
• Strategic planning

Cindy Calhoun

Cindy owned and managed a business of her own. She knows the importance of having someone to guide you through this process and share their advice. She sought out a mentor when starting her own business and they were instrumental in helping her learn the tools to be successful.

Her areas of expertise are:

Team Formation, Board Formation

Product – Market Fit, Market Research /Competitive Analysis

Project management, new product development, networking

Jeff Lax

Jeff have been a CEO of a lower middle market manufacturing company that they plucked out of a large multinational corporation. As new owners, they tried to instill an entrepreneurial mindset to their employees. They often tried and sometimes failed to execute on their strategies, and Jeff thinks he can share some of his battle scars with new entrepreneurs. He has experience selling ideas to private equity firms and thinks that his experience can help prepare entrepreneurs for their efforts to raise capital.

His areas of expertise are:

Business development, sales force management, mergers and acquisitions, talent development, strategic planning, non-profit leadership. He also worked on complex partnership and distribution agreements with the advice of counsel.

Team Formation, Term Sheet Review and Negotiation

Product – Market Fit, Customer Acquisition, Market Research /Competitive Analysis, Business Model Validation, Review of Financials

David Frost

David is a semi-retired Deloitte Technology Partner with extensive technology implementation experience, executive leadership, people development looking to share some of his experience. He is currently providing part time IT strategy advice to companies in the Charlotte area undergoing Digital and IT transformation.

He has also experienced the challenges of growing new companies and have worked directly for three start-ups in his career.

His areas of expertise are:

Broad manufacturing and distribution, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, retail experience. Some limited banking and public sector.

Business Development,
Consulting and Professional Services,
Customer Success,
Change Management,
Program Management,
Business Case Development
Program Change Control
HR development
Digital
ERP

VCs, Board Formation

Product – Market Fit, Customer Acquisition, Business Model Validation

Extensive experience in the most effective models to sell and deliver professional services

Steve Sebestyen

Steve has a deep passion for innovation and the startup community. He is already involved with and mentoring 5 startups that are at various stages, from idea inception (bootstrapped growth) to series A/B, including one here in Charlotte. He was involved with the startup community in Stamford, CT and NYC when I lived in that area years ago, attending Startup Weekend events and Meetups.

Steve started his career in a startup that was approximately 35 employees when he joined and up to 144 when they were acquired by Motorola. During his time at Motorola, he participated in the venture investment board, mentoring and evaluating pre-investment and post-investment portfolio companies. Most recently, he was at Ring before being acquired by Amazon last April.

His areas of expertise:

Business Development, Thought Leadership, Product Development, Marketing.

Team Formation, VCs

Product – Market Fit, Market Research /Competitive Analysis, Business Model Validation

Mentor

Philip Claxton

Entrepreneur, Finance and Compliance Executive

He wants to help those in new startups avoid some of the pitfalls I experienced.

His mentoring skills include:

Finance
Compliance
HR
Business strategy
Business and data modeling, and legal contracts and interactions (as non-lawyer)
Team Formation
VCs
Term Sheet Review and Negotiation
Board Formation
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Business Model Validation
Review of Financials

Nick Kantsios

Nick is interested in becoming a mentor because at this stage of his career he wants to give back and help those who are interested in learning from others. He have had a successful career in sales due to those who have helped him on this journey. Now is his time to give back. He wants to make a positive impact on those he meet and gain the satisfaction of seeing someone progress and learn.

His areas of expertise are:

Over thirty-five years in sales/business development experience in both direct and leadership responsibilities primarily in the financial services technology industry.

Business development, sales, strategy development, customer relations

Product – Market Fit, Revenue Streams and Strategies

Self-motivation, leadership, decision making, adaptability

Mentor

Sharai Lavoie

Sharai Lavoie is the CEO of Lavoie CPA. She is African American women and business owner, she would like to give back to community and help companies grow and achieve their goals.

Her mentoring skills include:

Finance and Accounting (CFO and controllership)
Cash Forecasting
Monthly Close
Reporting Compliance Management Employee
Vendor Communication Management Reporting
Transactional Processing Oversight Policy Adherence Policy
Procedures Guidance and Adherence Audit Support
VCs
Term Sheet Review and Negotiation
Board Formation
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Review of Financials
Finance Software

Mentor

Steve Gatter

Steve Gatter is a business coach to new & local business ventures and ideas. His focus is “customer discovery” and to do so as soon as possible, before real time, money and effort are squandered. His coaching focuses on 6 questions: – Who is your ideal client? – Why might they hire you? – What might they pay you? – How might you get your message before them? – What words might intrigue them? – And then what? After a first meeting, how might the relationship develop? He is currently working with almost 60 clients and would like to do more.

His mentoring skills include:

Communications
Copywriting
Niche Marketing
LinkedIn
Sales & Marketing
Business strategy & design
Operations
Finance
Credit
Bootstrapping
Term Sheet Review
Negotiation
Product
Market Fit
Customer Acquisition
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Market Research /Competitive Analysis

Mentor

Markus Beamer

Over the years Markus has contributed in educating folks in a number of different ways. He loves the startup culture, thinking through hard problems, also tackling challenges, helping others find success. Somehow each person he has helped, helped him in some small way. He can look back and see that these efforts have made him into a better person. This would just be another step on that path.

His mentoring skills include:

Technology
Business development
Business Strategy
Team Formation
Angel Funding
Product
Market Fit
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Business Model Validation

Mentor

Henry Doss

His work life has been primarily in banking, venture capital and consulting, as well as life-long work in non-profits as a volunteer. Most recently, he has been focused primarily in the area of innovation ecosystem consulting and the merger of theory and practice in innovation culture work. In particular he is interested in the correlations between culture and performance in large-scale organizations. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Zuryc, a managed services provider of cloud-based technologies. He is also a part-time faculty member in the English Department at UNC Charlotte.

In his spare time, he is a musician/singer-songwriter with Lamon Records. His first three singles (released in 2017 and 2018) charted in the Top 30 on the AMC Adult Contemporary Top Hot 40 charts. His current single (May 2019) (“Come To Me”) is #8 on National Indie and College Radio and #22 on National Adult Contemporary Top Hot40.

His mentoring skills include:

Technology (broadly speaking, but currently focused on cloud-based services)
Banking
Finance
Music industry
Venture Capital
Early stage startup
Culture assessment and development
Leadership coaching
Banking/finance (in general, across most areas)
Strategic planning
Marketing
Team Formation
Angel Funding
VCs
Term Sheet Review and Negotiation
Board Formation
Customer Acquisition, Revenue Streams and Strategies, Market Research /Competitive Analysis, Business Model Validation, Review of Financials

Mentor

J. Dain Dulaney, Jr.

Dain Dulaney is one of the founding attorneys of Bishop, Dulaney, Joyner & Abner, PA, a business law firm focused on helping clients achieve success. While he assists all types of businesses with their legal needs, Dain has a particular passion for high growth entrepreneurs and assisting in the selling and buying business. He is known for his exemplary involvement while preparing for angel, venture or private equity funding, during post-funding business growth, and in executing successful exits through the sale of the business.

Dain concentrates his practice on providing practical legal guidance in the areas of general business and corporate law, sales of businesses through mergers and acquisitions, and equity compensation of employees and contractors. As a leader of Charlotte’s entrepreneurial and technology community, he is involved as a speaker at Packard Place, and as a member and speaker at the BIG Council and the Entrepreneur’s Organization, among others.

Dain gained his experience through the founding several firms focused on the entrepreneurial practice area, as an in-house attorney (including as a General Counsel of a publicly traded technology company) and through practicing with large national firms in Charlotte. After graduating from Charlotte Country Day School, he earned his BS from Washington and Lee University and JD from Wake Forest University School of Law.

His mentoring skills include:

Legal
Software
Staffing
IP
Angel Funding
Crownfunding
Bootstraping
Board Formation

Mentor

Todd Harland-White

Todd is retired and moved to this area last summer after almost 45 years at Northrop Grumman in Baltimore/Annapolis. He has served as a mentor to over a dozen high potential folks at Northrop and enjoyed that experience. In addition, for years he has have mentored students in an MIT Systems Engineering class and interviewed MIT applicants. Todd’s original technology and degrees are in Naval Architecture. However, he became a broad based systems engineer, was a prolific inventor, member of Northrop Grumman’s Intellectual Property committee, contributor and assessor for various crowd-sourced innovations systems at Northrop, proposal writer, technical reviewer, and risk manager.

His mentoring skills include:

Team Formation
Product
Market Fit

Mentor

Susi Robinson

Susi would like to use her 34 years of business experience to help startup companies. She has worked with large corporations and small companies as well as a startup so she can bring a wide range of experiences to the discussion. Being able to give back to the community and to small businesses would be a wonderful experience.

Her mentoring skills include:

Business Development Sales
Hunting
Farming
Sales Strategies
Territory management Marketing
Team Formation
Customer Acquisition
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Market Research /Competitive Analysis
Coordinating an executive women’s panel for Clemson’s STEM program.
Running a large fundraiser (attic sale) at my church
Coordinating hundreds of hours of volunteer time selling thousands of items to hundreds of customer.

Mentor

Beverly Boarts

One of my core values is serving others, as done with mentoring. Throughout much of my career, I have mentored professionals and students to help them grow professionally and personally. And, in turn I have been inspired and learned much.

My passion is centered around creativity…to ask the “what if” and “why not” questions. To create something impactful by using the wisdom of life experiences to take an expansive view while incorporating different perspectives.

With gratitude for those who have mentored me, I would like to pay it forward.

His mentoring skills include:

Strategic Consulting
Client Engagement
Project Management
Business Systems
Design Thinking
Change Management
Performance Management
Healthcare Industry
Team Formation
Revenue Streams and Strategies

Mentor

Jay Mattier

Jay Mattier is the President of J. Mattier & Associates (JMA), a Business and Financing Coaching Firm. His focus is on providing business and financial coaching services to individuals, couples, small-to-mid size businesses, organizations and educational institutions.

Jay is the former Vice President of Business Development and Technology for The Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Empowerment Center. Jay coordinated and managed the daily activities of a U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Business Information Center and Entrepreneurial Training Programs. He has worked with and provided technical assistance to over 3000 clients. These services ranged from the development of a business plan to assisting in obtaining financing in excess of 6 million dollars. Jay was awarded the SBA District Director’s Award for outstanding service in Boston.

His mentoring skills include:

Business Consulting
Start-Ups
Commercial Financing
Non-Profit Management
Community& Economic Development
Real Estate

Mentor

Dan Black

Coaching and mentoring is in my DNA. At an early age I became addicted to the joy I get from helping others succeed. Since then, I’ve learned mentoring also fuels my own creativity as I move through my various life and business experiences. My previous professional position took me to many places outside of Charlotte consulting with organizations on building effective talent development solutions.

His mentoring skills include:

Advanced Manufacturing
Automotive Manufacturing and Distribution
Franchise and Motorsports
Board Formation
Customer Acquisition
Human Intelligence side of business: Leadership, Creativity, Persuasion, Communication, Collaboration

Mentor

Frederick Abbott Whitney

Experienced in strategy development, content development and copywriting, planning and execution across multiple industries. Expertise in driving revenue and demand generation through commercial insights and targeted go-to-market programs. Proven ability to direct teams across departments and drive collaboration toward defined goals.

My recent industry experience has focused on technology and healthcare, but I have worked with a number of organizations serving multiple industries with a variety of solutions (including consumer goods, financial services, real estate, retail and legal). Through roles that include project management, marketing strategy development and execution, and copywriting and editing I have created clear and effective messaging and positioning over multiple platforms to drive successful customer retention and acquisition and business growth.

His mentoring skills include:

Product – Market Fit
Customer Acquisition
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Market Research /Competitive Analysis

Mentor

Sridevi Singaraju

I come from a family of serial entrepreneurs, and am passionate about turning valuable ideas into reality. Whether it is a large organization or a startup, I am grounded in reality at every step to turn ideas into $M revenue generating operations or ideas that resulted in $M savings. There are quite a few mentors to whom I am really grateful for. Continuing in their footsteps, I currently mentor undergraduate students and high-school students who want to pursue technology as a career.
I am graduate of Wharton Business school, and received a concentration in Entrepreneurial management. I am looking forward to sharing my skills to help build our Charlotte Start up community.

His mentoring skills include:

FinTech
Financial Advice
Finance
Technology
Team Formation
Term Sheet Review and Negotiation
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Market Research /Competitive Analysis
Business Model Validation
Review of Financial

Mentor

Nora D. Richardson

What types of branding does a start-up need and when do they need to invest in it? That is what I would like to shed light to start-up entrepreneurs. The answer is not universal for all start-ups. But if you go online, you can find a barrage of information that you need a logo, colors, fonts and a brand style guide immediately. The problem with that is you are starting your company with a facade and not a foundational piece to grow upon. What is missing from the online guru’s is proper brand positioning that takes in account the unique start-ups values, story, potential clientele, who has already claimed a piece of the market and how to differentiate.

His mentoring skills include:

Branding,
Advertising
Marketing
Sponsorship
Sales Copy
Business
Customer Service
Product Design
Graphic Design
Working with creatives
Comprehensive Branding
Bootstrapping
Product – Market Fit
Market Research /Competitive Analysis
Business Model Validation

Mentor

Deborah Hodge

In business for 22 years, Viking has sold over 500 businesses, averaging 96% of asking price. We have sold more businesses for more dollars than any firm in the southeast. At Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, we are dedicated to helping business owners position their businesses for sale now or in the future.

His mentoring skills include:

Mergers and acquisitions
Divestitures
Seller representation
Buyer representation,
Business valuation
Small business financing
Business development
Business growth planning
Partner buyouts
Succession planning
Exit strategies
Small business ownership
Entrepreneurship

Mentor

Steven Schwartz

“As I progressed in my career I found I enjoyed mentoring the next generation of marketers. It became less about what i could do and more about what I could teach and transfer knowledge. Also, at this point in time, I have the time. After leaving the corporate world, my wife and I bought a franchise and started our own small business. We’re at the point where I have to time to pursue other interests.”

His mentoring skills include:

Customer acquisition and retention
CRM
Customer Service
Analytics
Client relationship management
Customer Acquisition
Revenue Streams and Strategies

Mentor

Assaf Weinberg

“I’ve founded, grown, and sold several tech companies. I am regularly referred to entrepreneurs as a technical advisor and really enjoy working with them. I see InnovateCLT as an opportunity to do this in a more structured way while learning a lot from other great mentors.

My experience is mostly in software engineering, consulting, and product design, but I also have significant experience in the travel space.”

His mentoring skills include:

Software development
Technical strategy
Product design
User experience
Team Formation
Product – Market Fit
Customer Acquisition

Mentor

David Worrell

Cross-disciplinary technologist with deep experience building and managing all aspects of product development lifecycle. Both hands-on and management experience in development, design, product management, and business development.

I received extensive mentoring when I started my first tech business in my 20’s. I learned lessons that have stuck with me every since. Now, at 50+, as I’ve looked for my “tribe” I always seem to gravitate toward the emerging business sector. I’ve taught business planning and finance topics at AMP-UP CLT (city sponsored small business workshops), at MBA Programs (Monterey Institute of International Studies in California), to MBA students via the McColl School Entrepreneur in Residence Program, and more.

Interestingly (to me) is that I often think that I learn more from teaching than my students do from being taught. It forces me to examine and deeply probe the subject matter — to crystallize ideas into words and concepts that are easily communicated and understood by the student. And that process gives me a better, deeper understanding too.

His mentoring skills include:

Accounting
Capital raising
Business Planning
Business Metrics and Management
Strategy & Growth
Forecasting, Modeling, and Valuations
Angel Funding
VCs
Bootstrapping
Term Sheet Review and Negotiation
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Business Model Validation
Review of Financials

Mentor

Steve Duke

I’ve always had more than an average interest in the subject of business. I’ve done many different activities in the business world, from large corporate to small business.

I spent most of my career in the Aerospace and Defense corporate world – GE, Lockheed, Martin Marietta, GD. I started as an engineer, but eventually did business development, program management, leader of advanced programs, and general management. I was typically working at the “front edge” of the business. I have started and sold a small market business and been the COO of a consumer products start-up.

His mentoring skills include:

General management
Obtaining patent protection
Team Formation
Product – Market Fit
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Business Model Validation

Mentor

Ralph “R.C.” Olsen

Veteran Account Executive with multi-Industry experience. Consultative, solutions driven approach to meet my clients goals with a continuous focus on performance improvement. Diversified is a leading global technology solutions provider delivering a comprehensive suite of solutions connecting today’s enterprises to the global marketplace. Our expansive team of industry experts partners with a diverse clientele, helping them achieve higher performance levels, enhance their operations, increase productivity and drive ROI.

His mentoring skills include:

Communication Industry (TV, Digital Media)
Technical Operations and Management
Marketing
Business Development and Sales
Technology Innovation as it pertains to Digital Media and Analytics
Business Development
Process Analysis and Improvement
Lean and Agile Operations
Change Management
Product – Market Fit
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Market Research /Competitive Analysis

Mentor

Duncan McPherson

“I’m a versatile, transformational leader with recognized expertise in optimizing business operations; leading major strategic projects; creating high-performance cultures; and serving as a creative and effective change agent. Proven success in both VC-funded smaller companies (typically as CEO/COO) and large public firms. I’m an adaptable and committed team player and a broad, flexible, effective problem-solver.

I’ve spent much time focusing on leadership development over the years — both the development of formal training programs, and informal mentoring of other leaders — and see ongoing mentoring/coaching of startup leaders as consistent with my interests, skillset and past successes.

I have 40 years in various aspects of technology, particularly computer software and services: remote computing, expert systems/AI, logistics, data protection/backup/disaster recovery, high-volume e-commerce transactions.”

His mentoring skills include:

Sales and marketing
Top-level operating and CEO leadership
Leadership development and culture creation/management
Contact center management
Customer service (broadly defined)
Financial planning/modeling
Human capital management
Strategic planning and organizational transformation
Team Formation
VCs
Term Sheet Review and Negotiation
Board Formation
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Business Model Validation

Mentor

Julia Mowry

“Throughout my career stages I had mentors who are true partners, they expand my viewpoints, grow professionally in leadership roles, acquired skills in all facets of the business and considering different perspective of approaching situations. I had the opportunity in the last 15 years to reciprocate the positive experience and to help others be successful by improving their skills, business acumen and hopefully, advance their careers.

In my career, I worked for both startups and fortune 1000 organizations, I had clients in financial, healthcare, and public sector.”

His mentoring skills include:

Software
Hardware
Professional services
Manufacturing
Production print & direct marketing
Revenue
Consultative solution selling
Product evangelist
Product adoption
Product manager
Sales operation
Client success manager
Customer experience, and business workflow / process assessment and optimization
Revenue Streams and Strategies

Mentor

John Blomberg

“One of the main passions I’ve had throughout my career is understanding how innovative technology can be used to pivot a department, a company or even an industry. One of my other passions is developing tech teams and companies that provide leadership to satisfy those needs. I was blessed enough to mix those passions as an entrepreneur focused on technology in the Charlotte market.

After exiting a tech business, I have been given the opportunity to give back to the same startup community that fostered the growth of my company. I have been involved as a mentor to other tech company leaders in the community. I sit on the board for Queen’s University Entrepreneurial Circle (ELC) board as a way to give back to the community. I see Innovate Charlotte as a great opportunity to continue giving back.“

His mentoring skills include:

Strategy
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Consulting
Software Project Management
Database Design
Project Management
Strategic Planning
Agile Project Management
Change Management
Data Analysis
IT Strategy
Program Management
Business Process Improvement
Business Analysis
Vendor Management
Data Migration
Data Integration
Agile Methodologies
Product Management
Customer Experience
P&L Management
Requirements Analysis
Professional Services
Website Development

Mentor

Matt Butler

I have a passion for working with entrepreneurs and business owners at all stages to help accelerate their success. I have started and operated two businesses of my own (to varying degrees of success!). I’ve worked for huge companies that failed miserably and start-ups that were wildly successful in some of the worst economic environments (at the time) for a business to make payroll, much less grow. The genesis of my interest lies with helping guide the next era of business owners to a more rich business experience and to help positively impact the communities where we live.

His mentoring skills include:

Human Resources
Technology (IT and Telecommunications)
Real Estate
Revenue Generation
Human Capital Management
Business Process Improvement
Corporate strategy Human capital
Business development
Operations
New product deployment
Mergers and Acquisitions.

Mentor

Gregory Mazza

CFO / CEO / Business Leader – Strategic Thinker that can Execute / Implement.

• Proven CFO with track record of profitability and clean audits
• Builds high performing teams and achieves results.
• Developed and implemented digital life insurance strategy for global carrier.
• Led multiple M&A transactions and successful transition management.
• International finance – tax and entity planning, multiple GAAP accounting and reporting methods.
• Startup/ Early-Stage advisor/mentor to companies across range of categories.
• Med-Tech consultant for global medical device firms, major hospitals and private equity / VCs.
• Led U.S. team as part of successful London Exchange IPO.

His mentoring skills include:

Electrical Engineering
Bio-Medical Engineering
Automotive
Financial Services
Credit Cards
Insurance
Networking
Business development
HR
Legal
Finance
Brand Management
Sales
Customer Service
Operations
Manufacturing
Medical & Med-Tech
Innovation
Strategy
Governance
Accounting
Audit
Treasury
Financial Modeling
Marketing & Advertising
Business Planning.

Mentor

Steve Fine

My experience encompasses all segments of marketing, for some of the world’s largest appliance, outdoor/sporting goods, wallpaper & paint manufacturers. A strong record of consistent performance, developing and implementing marketing strategies for both start-ups and brands exceeding $1B nationally branded and private label consumer products/durables.

I believe corporate growth challenges have marketing based solutions.

His mentoring skills include:

Creating brand architecture, consumer segments & brand positioning
Expert in communicating integrated campaigns, omni-channel messages and promotional programs to achieve strategic brand corporate goals and customer requirements
I have had the honor of marketing with designer showrooms, independent dealers, builders, manufactures, start-ups, digital sites and major retail chains like
Working with & marketed some of the greatest global licensed brands
My background is experienced in all phases of product marketing and corporate collaboration
Measure campaign effectiveness via messaging, impressions, reach, frequency, click through ratios and consumer purchases
Creating solutions for companies via business & marketing planning, building brand equity, positioning, product need analysis, target customer development/engagement, campaign & budget development/analysis, digital, product development & portfolios.

Mentor

Marise Kumar

“Mentoring can be a rich experience for both the mentor and mentee. It’s a great way to keep learning. “

Over the last five years, she has leveraged her 30+ yrs building brands and businesses and enjoys working closely with global businesses ready to embrace change, consulting firms offering customized solutions, and local non-profits as they build public-private partnerships that jointly achieve a community goal. Having been an operator herself, she develops strategies that flow from the customer experience to the business model. Strategies the organization can engage with and execute. Strategies that start with their consumers and build profitable growth.

Her mentoring skills include:

Retail
Appliances
Consumer packaged goods
Strategy development
Consumer strategy based on journey mapping
Framing initiatives so that consumer strategy can be executed
Aligning leadership teams so they can articulate what being customer centric means to their everyday life
Product – Market Fit
Distribution Channels
Customer Acquisition
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Market Research /Competitive Analysis
Business Model Validation
Review of Financials

Mentor

Matthew Smurr

As Engineer Officer on a US nuclear submarine I had the professional development of my department as one of my responsibilities. That has come forward into a strong desire to give others access to a skill I ‘hairball reduction,’ e.g., transforming the seemingly insurmountably complex into simple and actionable.

His mentoring skills include:

Commercial real estate on the facility management side
Supply chain & logistics (trucking, rail, third party providers, warehousing and fulfillment)
Commercial nuclear deconstruction/decontamination
Ocean container shipping
United States Navy
Team Formation
Bootstrapping
Distribution Channels
Customer Acquisition
Revenue Streams and Strategies
Business Model Validation

Join the INCLT VMS Program

Become a VMS Mentor

Innovate Charlotte is seeking experienced individuals who want to mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs. Our goal is to create high impact connections between successful business men and women and young or new entrepreneurs.

Become a Mentor

Get Mentored

We are looking for companies interested in taking the next step in their entrepreneurial journey as part of our Venture Mentoring program based on renowned MIT VMS Program. Our focus is innovation driven companies at the validation stage of their business model. It means that you have a few paying customers already and needs mentors to attract investment and scale your business.

Apply Today