Behind nearly every successful business is someone who took the time to listen, guide, and say, “Here’s what I’ve learned—let me help you avoid a few hard lessons.”
That’s the quiet power of mentorship, and it’s something Pensacola is leaning into in a big way.
Bert Thornton, retired CEO of Waffle House, Inc. serves as a mentor for the VMS program through Studer Community Institute. Photo: Blake Jones PhotoFor entrepreneurs, mentorship can be the difference between feeling stuck and moving forward with clarity. Starting, growing, or even selling a business comes with high-stakes decisions, and having access to experienced voices, people who’ve been there, can change everything.
Mentors don’t just offer expertise; they bring perspective, accountability, and encouragement when it’s needed most.
That’s where Studer Community Institute’s Venture Mentor Services (VMS) Program comes in. Modeled after the nationally recognized MIT Venture Mentoring program, VMS has been thoughtfully adapted to meet the unique needs of Pensacola’s business community.
The program connects local entrepreneurs with teams of experienced mentors who provide confidential, unbiased guidance designed to help businesses grow and succeed.
At the start of January, Studer Community Institute launched “Thank a Mentor Month,” a campaign dedicated to recognizing the individuals who selflessly share their time, wisdom, and experience with others.
Throughout January, SCI has been spotlighting mentors and the entrepreneurs they support. By using social media, they have highlighted the real, measurable impact mentorship has on job creation, innovation, and economic vitality in our community.
In recognition of Thank a Mentor Month, SCI also launched a fundraising effort to support the Venture Mentor Services Program.
From left to right: Mentors Bob Hart, Jerry Jackson, and Lisa Long Lyter. Mentee Ashlee Mosley Brown, Native CafeThe VMS program is offered at no cost to business owners. It is designed to remove barriers to mentorship and strengthen entrepreneurship across Pensacola.
The goal of the campaign this month has been to raise $5,000 to help sustain and expand the program.
“Mentors are essential to building strong businesses and a strong community,” said Chris Heaney, Director of Building Jobs at Studer Community Institute. “This focus on mentoring allows us to celebrate those who give so generously of their time while ensuring we have the resources to recruit, train, and support even more mentors in the future.”
Funds raised through the Thank a Mentor campaign directly support the Venture Mentor Services Program, including mentor recruitment and training, program coordination, community workshops, networking opportunities, and outreach efforts to grow the mentor network.
Want to be part of it? Community members are invited to honor the mentors who’ve made a difference in their lives, share their stories, and invest in the future of mentorship in Pensacola by sharing on the Studer Community Institute social media pages. You can also donate to the campaign.
To learn more about Venture Mentor Services, to become a mentor or a mentee, and to make a donation, contact Chris Heaney at cheaney@studeri.org.
