The first Berytech – Mowgli mentorship session took place during the first week of February, in the remote village of the Cedars, matching 7 international mentors to 7 Berytech-based entrepreneurs in an experience intended to inspire, empower and support.

The first part of the session was delivered for the sole intention of the mentors, providing them with the appropriate information and tools to participate successfully in this experience, while setting the appropriate framework and expectations from the program. In the second part of the week, the mentees were paired with a mentor each, during an accelerated relationship-building activity which was followed by one-to-one sessions. The pairs worked on understanding each other while the mentee went about setting a business proposition as well as personal development plans coupled with measurable goals.

The snow-draped village, where flakes fell without pause for three consecutive days, and temperatures dipped way below the zero mark, enhanced the impression of seclusion, allowing participants to focus wholeheartedly on the task at hand. While the daily sessions were long and intense, the evening allowed for casual gatherings over the dinner table or by the fire place, and often lasted till the wee hours around guitar playing and off tune singing.

The weeklong session concluded in a public assembly, in which the pairs shared their impressions and objectives with the rest of the participants.

Going forward, each mentee will drive the experience, while his/her mentor will react to the goals and objectives and provide support in achieving them. Further interaction will take place by phone calls, emailing and messaging over a period of one year.

Addressing the mentees, Mr. Simon Edwards, CEO of Mowgli declared: “It was a joy to work with you all. You now have an opportunity to use the mentoring to fulfil your business plans, make the most of it. The early stages of a business are never easy, but you know now that you are not alone. You have your mentor, the Mowgli network and Berytech to support you.”

Commenting on this experience, Mrs. Anji Marychurch, one of the mentors, declared: “It was a pleasure to spend time with the group and learn about their dreams and ambitions. I felt privileged to be part of this inaugural session in Lebanon”.

“The mentoring program was very beneficial, said Mr. Toufic Saghbini, one of the entrepreneur-mentees. It allowed me to meet extraordinary people, not only as mentors but also as mentees, whom I didn’t personally know prior to this event”.