Guidance for Growth '24
Find your DTC Business Mentor / Support Network
Entrepreneurs, DTC & CPG managers, ecommerce founders, and veteran-owned start-ups: find your business mentor or support network.
We can't do it all on our own! 98% of all Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs. But what about you and your business?
According to Forbes, 89% of small business owners that don't have a mentor wish they did.
Join business owners and managers with responsibility for a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) sales channel for the inaugural Guidance for Growth event.
If you've already got a mentor, explore supplemental sources of organizational support through groups and programs. If you don't yet have an informal mentor, learn how to prepare yourself for a good match.
You'll learn:
How much does niche industry expertise matter versus general business sense?
Discover how to evaluate potential guides, how to know if it's a good fit?
Learn what to avoid in group or individual support relationships?
Explore ways to get the most value: is it about your personal or business growth?
Find out what investors or lenders look for in evaluating your support network?
Frankly eCommerce, a project of Austin veteran entrepreneur Patrick Scott Pitman, is producing the event. Frankly eCommerce hosts Shopify themed events in Austin, Miami and Houston. It's newsletter reaches business owners and service providers in these communities.
At Guidance for Growth, Patrick will interview Charlynda Scales in a live recording of the easier business podcast. Scales will speak about her book Rock Bottom Has a Trampoline: How to turn every loss into a win with a like-hearted mentor.
Scales founded the CPG brand Mutt's Sauce, a BBQ sauce company in Ohio after leaving the Air Force as an officer. Scales is mentored by Shark Tank investor Daymond John, who encouraged the development of her DTC ecommerce channel to complement her QVC and retail grocery distribution.
A panel of Austin industry notable advisors will follow the interview. They'll discuss how to find your mentor and build a support network for your business:
Nick Spiller, Capital Factory, venture principal
Michelle Breyer, SKU CPG Accelerator, CMO
Marc Nathan, Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP, Advisor
Ron Hollis, Hofman Hollis Workshops, CEO
Lux Markets and ebusiness pros agency are partner sponsors. Sendlane, a retention marketing software company is also sponsoring the event. ShipperHQ, TaxHero, e53 fulfillment, and Strata Cloud Accountants are local Austin supporters.
The Guidance for Growth event is co-hosted by Marc Nathan of Wake UP! CPG. Nathan is famous in Austin circles for events that make positive connections between people.
What to expect? Check the video of the last similar event we hosted in December 2023 with Marc Nathan and Bill Murphy.
Guidance for Growth Event Highlights:
Registration, seating: 3:30 to 3:50 pm
Welcome address: 3:50 to 4 pm.
Live Podcast Recording: Patrick Scott Pitman & Charlynda Scales interview. 4 to 4:30 pm.
Expert Panel on Mentoring: Austin leaders Q&A and guidance for growth. 4:30 to 5:15 pm
Networking Opportunities: Connect with entrepreneurs and prospective advisors. 5:30 pm to 7 pm
Drinks and Appetizers: Enjoy some refreshment while making new friends.
CPG Vendor Village: Explore products from select CPG vendors, including a permanent bracelet pop-up from local Wanderbliss Jewelry!