Introduction
Books teach principles; mentors teach perspective. In Shining Stars, mentorship isn’t an optional perk—it’s our growth engine. Below are three true stories (names changed) that show its power.
Story 1: From Self‑Doubt to Start‑Up—Bola & Amina
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Challenge: Bola had an app idea but zero confidence to pitch investors.
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Mentor Match: Amina, a tech founder with two exits.
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Outcome: Weekly pitch‑deck reviews and mock Q&As helped Bola raise ₦12 million seed funding within six months.
Story 2: Career Pivot at 40—Tunde & Mr. Owusu
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Challenge: After 18 years in banking, Tunde felt stuck.
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Mentor Match: Mr. Owusu, an HR executive known for strategic career shifts.
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Outcome: Together they mapped transferable skills, updated his résumé, and practiced panel interviews. Tunde now leads risk strategy at a fintech.
Story 3: Finding Voice in Advocacy—Zainab & Thelma
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Challenge: Zainab cared deeply about women’s rights but feared public speaking.
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Mentor Match: Thelma, a seasoned rights advocate.
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Outcome: Through speech drills and on‑site event exposure, Zainab chaired a community forum of 300 people—and now trains new volunteers.
What Makes Our Mentorship Model Work?
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Shared Values First: We pair based on mission alignment, not just industry.
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Clear Goals: Each pair drafts a 60‑day roadmap with checkpoints.
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Mutual Benefit: Mentors gain leadership credits; mentees gain guidance.
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Community Showcases: Quarterly “Mentor Talks” let pairs share wins, inspiring others.
Becoming a Mentor or Mentee
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Step 1: Fill the profile form.
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Step 2: Attend a match‑making mixer.
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Step 3: Commit to one hour per week for at least two months.
Conclusion
Transformation often begins with a conversation. A mentor sees the greatness you can’t yet see in yourself until you do.
