What was one of your major obstacles in managing a business before you joined the mentorship program, and how has the mentorship program helped you overcome that obstacle? 

I appreciated that the Mentoring Women in Business Program provided an unbiased outsider who I could discuss my business' issues with. By having someone who could view my issues through a new perspective, I could better discuss my business issues. As a result, this has helped me have a better perspective in dealing with certain business issues that I have encountered. 

What is one key takeaway that you have learned from the mentorship program? 

Through the use of technology, it is amazing how we can share knowledge from across the globe regardless of our location. At certain points, we were both traveling outside our primary residences but we were still able to keep in touch. It was also very interesting to learn about the similarities in business practices in developing economies compared developed economies. My mentor, who is currently based in Canada, is familiar with working and living in developing countries. As a small business based in the Philippines, it felt reassuring to know that my mentor could empathize and understand the struggles of operating a business when I expressed by professional challenges. Having also previously studied in Austria, I also understood the perspectives of my mentor and more generally how developed economies function and operate. It is good to have different perspectives on both for comparison. Having a mentor really does help broaden your perspective and I appreciated that my mentor has helped me with issues I encountered in my business through the duration of this program. 

If you were to recommend this mentorship program to someone, what advice would you give as a mentor or as a mentee? 

Due to the uniqueness of the Mentoring Women in Business Program, this is an opportunity that is very rewarding but difficult to come by. If you are presented the opportunity to participate, take it. It will definitely help broaden your perspective, not just in business, but also in life. Make each session with your mentor count in order to maximize the benefits of program and get the most guidance possible from your mentor.