Mentoring That Means Something: Reflecting on the Black Equity Organisation F100 Programme

Mentoring is one of the most rewarding things I do. Not because it’s easy — it isn’t — but because when it works, you see the evidence of it in real time.

Last week I attended the F100 Programme Pitch, Retail Showcase and Demo Day at Sky HQ. It marked the end of a cohort I’ve been deeply invested in, and watching the founders I mentored take to the stage was genuinely one of those moments that reminds you why you do the work.

What meaningful mentoring actually looks like

There’s a version of mentoring that’s little more than a coffee and a few business stories. My contribution to this cohort involved 10 structured mentoring sessions, group pitch feedback, written feedback, meeting notes, report reviews and ongoing tracking and assessment to support each founder’s development. It was a real investment of time and energy, because the founders I work with deserve that level of commitment.

What I watched happen

I watched my mentees arrive prepared. Every time. They’d worked through their actions, reflected on the previous conversation and came ready to build not to be told what to do, but to think harder and go further. That’s not something you can manufacture. It comes from founders who are serious about their growth, and it makes the mentoring relationship genuinely collaborative.

I challenged assumptions. I asked questions that weren’t always comfortable. I held them accountable. And they did the same in return, showing up, doing the work and pushing back when they needed to.

In their own words

“Working with Karen has been an incredibly positive experience. She is knowledgeable, supportive and genuinely invested in helping you succeed. Her guidance, encouragement and accountability have helped us become more focused, strategic and commercially disciplined as we continue to grow LUNASCAN. Karen always listens, brings valuable insight and, importantly, challenges us to think differently when needed. Her warmth, encouragement and genuine interest in our progress have made every session both enjoyable and worthwhile. We have gained so much more from the mentorship than we initially expected, and I am incredibly grateful for the impact she has had on our journey.”

Feedback like that doesn’t get old.

Why I keep coming back to mentoring

Mentoring sits at the heart of everything I believe in - resilience, accountability, reflection and the power of having someone in your corner who will push you as much as they support you.

I’m a Chartered Management Accountant and an accredited empowerment coach, and I’ve spent decades helping people and organisations build the kind of foundations that last.

Mentoring is where that experience becomes most personal. Most direct. Most human.

If you’re a founder, a leader or an emerging entrepreneur looking for that kind of support, I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’re an experienced professional wondering whether mentoring is worth your time - it is. I’d do this cohort again without hesitation.

Get in touch: www.karenfburke.com