Tatiana Cole – EforAll Holyoke
Tatiana Cole is a strategist and coach who helps entrepreneurs create additional sources of revenue for their businesses. With a background in higher education, she has worked at several colleges and universities. When she heard about EforAll from a friend who completed the Business Accelerator program, Tatiana saw an opportunity to utilize her skills and expertise to assist entrepreneurs.
What made you want to become a mentor?
Entrepreneurship runs in my family – both my grandfather and father were entrepreneurs, and even my mother dabbled in it. It’s always felt like a natural career path for me, but at times I felt a bit lost and unsure about where to start or what to do.
The EforAll Business Accelerator is fantastic because it teaches everything an entrepreneur needs to know in a short amount of time, while also providing a mentoring group. It’s been a pleasure to work with aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them develop and refine their ideas and supporting them throughout their journey.
Can you give us some examples of the kinds of startups you have mentored with us?
My current mentee sells fresh lemonade. She was doing an arts and crafts resin business initially, but her homemade lemonade really started to bloom, so she’s going for it. She wants to do lemonade pouches for birthday parties and do vendor events and fairs.
What is your favorite part of being an EforAll mentor?
It is truly amazing to witness the growth that occurs in the 12 weeks of classes during the Business Accelerator program. As a cheerleader, I am thrilled to see entrepreneurs gain the confidence and knowledge they need to overcome their initial doubts. Additionally, I enjoy meeting other mentors and providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to prioritize and make well-informed decisions by asking the right questions.
What do you think makes EforAll special?
The program itself is excellent, with three mentors available not only during the accelerator but also throughout the rest of the year, which is a significant advantage. However, the community is the real game-changer. The support from both the alumni and mentors, who continue to assist each other even after the program, is truly remarkable.
What advice would you have for entrepreneurs?
To succeed as an entrepreneur, it’s crucial to find a support group of like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges you face. It’s unlikely that all your friends and family will fully comprehend your journey, so seek out those who share your entrepreneurial mindset and can provide solid support. Surrounding yourself with people who understand that things won’t always make sense and that success may look different than expected will help motivate and push you forward.
What are the biggest challenges that women entrepreneurs face?
There are numerous challenges that women face when striving to become successful entrepreneurs. One of the biggest challenges is going against societal expectations of what women should and should not do. Additionally, women entrepreneurs often have to make sacrifices when it comes to balancing their time between family, important stakeholders, and crucial meetings. This requires a constant juggling act to prioritize what is most important.
Interested in becoming a mentor? Learn more here.