Starting a business in Nova Scotia with CEED’s Elevated Business Mentorship
Real Mentorship. Real Momentum. Become a CEED Elevate Mentor
Join CEED’s Elevate Mentorship Program and support Nova Scotian entrepreneurs from the CEED community—clients, members, and program participants who are already building their skills—by sharing real-world experience, asking great questions, and helping turn learning into action.
What is Elevate Mentorship?
The CEED Elevate Mentor Relationship Program empowers entrepreneurs through a dynamic mentor–mentee relationship built in a safe, supportive space for peer-to-peer learning, honest dialogue, and constructive challenge.
CEED is committed to empowering people and helping them reach their full potential. We believe that the mentee / mentor relationship is one of the most powerful ways to elevate entrepreneurs and strengthen the economy.
The CEED Elevate Mentor Relationship Program empowers and elevates entrepreneurs by building a dynamic relationship in a safe space for peer-to-peer learning, dialogue, and challenge.
CEED believes that the need for mentorship is more important than ever. Mentors who have faced adversity and challenges are able to share that knowledge and provide guidance to those who need it the most. As a result mentees will be able to tap into a Nova Scotian community of support and potentially discover new partnerships or even grow to become mentors and give back through local mentorship.
CEED is currently looking to continue to bring these individuals together to grow a support network for people starting a business in Nova Scotia. If you’re a successful business owner in Nova Scotia we’d love for you to join our network.
If you’re interested in providing elevated mentorship for Nova Scotians starting a business please click here we would love to hear from you.
Why mentor with CEED
CEED mentors help entrepreneurs move forward with clarity and confidence—especially when decisions feel uncertain, complex, or high-stakes. Elevate is designed to create real progress through structure, training, and support, so mentors and mentees can focus on what matters: momentum.
You’ve been there and done that—your experience can change someone’s trajectory. Nova Scotia has a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, in part due to established entrepreneurs sharing their knowledge and giving back to the community.
To become an Elevated Mentor and provide mentorship for Nova Scotian business owners your first must be an experienced and thoughtful leader who is committed to investing one’s time to assist in the growth and development of others.
As a CEED mentor we expect you to bring the following to each mentee engagement session: active listening, availability, and analysis.
At CEED, we recognize the value of mentorship and it stems from the fact that you’ve “been there and done that,” giving a mentee the opportunity to learn from your mistakes and successes. CEED is currently recruiting Nova Scotian business professionals with the experience to provide personalized mentorship, sound business advice and encouragement to empower and elevate entrepreneurs by sharing their expertise and insights. CEED is people centered and we are seeking mentors who place building relationships and empowering others first. Together we can help those starting a business in Nova Scotia.
What mentors do (and what they don’t)
Elevate mentors guide without prescribing. You don’t need to have every answer—you need to be present, curious, and consistent.
As a CEED mentor, we ask you to bring:
- Active listening
- Availability
- Analysis
Mentors help mentees clarify priorities, test assumptions, build confidence, and stay accountable—while CEED provides the tools, training, and structure to support a strong mentorship relationship.
Desired qualifications and skills
- Experience in starting a business, self-employment, entrepreneurship, and/or facilitation
- Strong active listening (guiding without prescribing answers)
- A connector with an established professional network and/or expertise in a specific field or topic
Mentor responsibilities
- Help build the mentee’s self-reliance and leadership skills
- Help define priorities, critical tasks, and business goals
- Support accountability and celebrate milestones
- Ask questions that encourage reflection, investigation, and constructive challenge
- Provide business advice when requested and/or appropriate
- Foster a strong mentor–mentee relationship
Questions before applying? Contact kwry@ceed.ca.
Who your mentees are
Mentees in Elevate Mentorship are CEED clients and members who have completed (or are currently completing) CEED programming and are actively building or growing a business.
They come to mentorship with real goals, real momentum, and a commitment to learn.
As a member of the CEED alumni community, you have the opportunity to continue building your skills, network, and business through mentorship.
NOTE: To be eligible, you must be part of CEED’s alumni network (or currently completing a CEED program, if applicable to your intake). Reach out to your CEED advisor for more information.
Program structure and commitment
Time commitment: A 6–12 month relationship, with meetings typically held monthly (or as agreed by the match).
Support: CEED provides onboarding, check-ins, and a program manager to support both mentors and mentees.
How matching works
We match mentors and mentees based on goals, experience, communication preferences, and fit to support meaningful progress.
Elevate is supported by:
- MindFrame Connect (required training to set shared expectations)
- CEED (matching, milestones, communication, and resources)
Step-by-step
- Apply to become an Elevate Mentor.
- CEED reviews your application and connects with you as part of onboarding.
- Complete mentor training through MindFrame Connect.
- Get matched and begin your mentorship journey with guided milestones and resources.
A message from our CEO:
Ready to mentor?
If you’re a Nova Scotian business owner or experienced professional who wants to give back, we’d love to welcome you into the CEED mentor network.
CTA: Apply to become an Elevate Mentor
Questions: Contact kwry@ceed.ca
