If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, Jean Chow is the mentor you want in your corner.
From Moose Jaw to Zambia, Indonesia, and finally Toronto, Chow’s journey has been anything but ordinary. This global citizen, who you might just find if you look up "super-connector" in the dictionary, brings a world of experience to her role as a mentor with the Centre for Entrepreneurship’s (CfE) Venture Mentoring Service (VMS). With infectious energy and a passion for empowering the next generation, she's not just guiding students – she's wiring them for success.
Imagine launching a business and being so dedicated that you live in the factory for four years! That's exactly what Jean Chow did with FAN-FARE Inc. This experience, along with her global journey and commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs (recognized even with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal!), provides a unique lens through which she mentors. Now, as a key figure in the VMS program, she shares her hard-won wisdom and champions the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Chow’s mentoring style is characterized by empathy, trust, and a focus on empowerment. Just like on the squash court (a skill honed during her time in Zambia), she's strategic, agile, and always looking for the winning shot. She believes in active listening, asking powerful questions, and creating a safe space for mentees to explore their ideas. "Sometimes, the most effective way to learn is to fail," Jean reflects. She encourages her mentees to embrace challenges and learn from their mistakes, fostering a growth mindset that is crucial for entrepreneurial success.
"The MIT model of group mentoring that VMS uses really piqued my curiosity," she explains. "I'm hoping to learn how this approach can be applied to other mentoring contexts, both formal and informal, to enhance my own mentoring skills."
Chow finds the dynamic interactions within the VMS program to be incredibly rewarding. She notes that the exchange of knowledge and perspectives isn't limited to mentor-mentee relationships; mentors learn from each other as well. This creates a rich learning environment where mentees benefit from the diverse insights of all the mentors involved. "It’s meta-mentoring at its best," she says.
Chow's passion is contagious. Whether she's cheering on the Toronto Raptors (she's a huge Kyle Lowry fan!) or guiding her mentees, her 'all in' energy inspires everyone around her to reach higher. She's more than a mentor; she's a catalyst, igniting a fire in the next generation of leaders and empowering them to embrace collaboration and blaze their own trails.
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Feeling inspired? Learn more about the Venture Mentoring Service. Recruitment of mentors and mentees for the next cycle of the program will begin in Spring 2025 – stay tuned for more details!