M/WBEs will apply to be protégés. Learn more about the qualifications for potential protégés to participate in Build to Success. The small business includes areas of their operations they are looking to improve.

They will go through a vetting process done internally and externally with the help of consultants who are subject matter experts in procurement of M/WBEs.

a. If an M/WBE is approved, we match them with a mentor who can assist with their specific business needs and operational goals based on what was on the application.

b. If a small business is not approved, we will take the time to help them figure out the best course of action to build their qualifications. This can range from required certifications to educational programming. Once they have gained the qualifications, they can reapply.

The mentor, protégé, and Build to Success will meet to develop a plan to assist the protégé in achieving its goals. They will build a curriculum, determine benchmarks and milestones to track progress, and establish logistics for a productive partnership.

a. There will be quarterly reports completed by the mentor and protégé in addition to meetings with Build to Success to assess the M/WBE’s progress and assist in course correcting to get them back on track.

b. These reports will also contain questions that will contribute to the data we are tracking and collecting to determine how affective our program is and where we need to make changes. Who better to provide feedback on where improvements are needed than current participants?

Protégés will have access to comprehensive resources such as loan and bond backing and insurance. M/WBEs will also have our curated resources accessible to them. This includes subject matter experts they can arrange one-on-ones with to review a topic not covered in their mentorship. The subject matter experts will cover every aspect of running and growing a small business – from website development, to marketing, to social media, to procurement, to networking, etc.

Once protégés are deemed “ready” and able to competently operate independently and successfully, they will graduate from the Build to Success Mentor Protégé Program. Protégés will leave Build to Success with the tools needed for advancement and longevity as an independent, competitive, and successful small business.After conducting final reviews, Build to Success will work with the mentor and protégé to set milestones for tracking the M/WBE post-program.

Build to Success will continue to collect quarterly progress reports to ensure the former protégé is consistently improving. Once you have participated in the program, you will always have access to Build to Success.

When the small business is content with their progress, we will ask them to return to the program as a mentor. Our hope is that this positive cycle of growth and learning will combat the current systemic barriers in place, eventually knocking them down for good.