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KS

Kathryn S Mentor

Location United States of America
Mentor Industry Manufacturing
Languages spoken
  • English
Recent Activity

How I can help

My professional background

I have an Industrial Engineering Degree and an MBA. About 5 years of manufacturing and Not-For-Profit management experience early in my career and 30 years in financial services.

I've had internships in production areas at NorTel, Rockwell International and Frito-Lay where I supervised 3rd shift Cheetos production. Early in my career, one of my more impactful experiences was as a senior manager at Goodwill Industries of Dallas where I was over the Industrial Contracts area. This area had about 200 employees and was a "profit" center, in that I was responsible for generating revenue from contracted jobs and managing the associated expenses. I turned my division around from losing money. It was an entrepreneurial role where I had to find government and business contracts to keep our disabled/disadvantaged employees working. We had various grounds maintenance contracts with city, county and state agencies. I met with potential clients, got specifications, costed out and/or bid the jobs, worked directly with suppliers, logistics, Workers Comp claims, EEO claims, Unemployment Claims, etc. During this time, I got experience with fleet management, waste management, and packaging (shrink wrap, bubble wrap, stretch wrap, boxes, etc.) , shipping and receiving, etc. While not an expert in any of this, overall I have good business savvy and can take these experiences along with corporate America experience to work on business plans, develop "what if" business models to assist with decision making, and a variety of other useful and non-useful insights. :)


How to work with me

What I can offer

I can assist with or consult with the entrepreneur on strategy, business planning, goal setting, strategy/approach for bids and proposals, staffing analysis, production issues such as line balancing, plant layout, time standards, logistics, and packaging. I can help with Not-For-Profit formation/management.

Overall I have good business savvy and can take these experiences along with corporate America experience to work on business plans, develop "what if" business models to assist with decision making, and a variety of other useful and non-useful insights. :) I will be a good sounding board about viability and process improvements. I can assist with business plans and reviewing business models and processes.

See the "About Me" section.

My expectations for a successful mentoring relationship

First we should get to know one another and determine the business goals of the individual and the goals for the mentorship. Also, during this time we may conclude that my skill set is not a match for the entrepreneur. That's okay. I have a large breadth of knowledge that in specific areas may not go as deeply as needed.

The mentorship may be a short-term relationship to accomplish a key item or two or it could be longer term. The main thing is for there to be communication and defining the expectations of each other. I expect that I will learn from the entrepreneur too!

I expect that the mentee will make scheduled appointments. I expect that the mentee will be honest if the mentee changes their mind about me or about a previously agreed upon action item, then we can adjust and move on to another alternative . I expect the mentee to be honest once the mentee thinks we've accomplished our goals or taken the relationship as far as it can go. Let's start it right and end it right and not just "disappear" from one another.

How entrepreneurs can prepare before we start

The entrepreneur should be prepared to tell me about themselves, their business or business idea(s). Also, tell me about what you would like to accomplish from our relationship.

Yourself - what is your educational background and skill that will help your business. What are your deficiencies?

Provide any pertinent materials you have developed regarding your current or prospective business(es). In addition be prepared to discuss:

Current business - what is it, how is it doing, who are your customers, what do you see as your biggest issues? What do you want it to become? Are you making money?

Prospective business(s) - What is your idea? Where are you in the development of this idea? What is your goal for starting this business (eg. extra income, job for children, quitting primary job, etc.). Will you be doing this full-time or part-time?