For years, Crown Heights’ workforce faced a problem: they lacked a support system.
Businesspeople and entrepreneurs alike were essentially on their own. With no guidance, mentorship, or networking opportunities, launching and growing their businesses took more independent work than it should have.
That changed a few years back, when Rabbi Yehoshua Werde stepped forward to fill the vacuum. Recognizing a need, he launched Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs (CHYE), a program that provides networking opportunities, a coworking space, and support for business people, professionals, and those seeking employment.
The impact was immediate and tangible; young entrepreneurs and professionals from across the community came together to learn, gain support, and make the most of their business ventures.
Now, CHYE is taking their impact one step further with a newly-upgraded mentorship program designed to give both new and growing businesses the guidance they need. Business mentors provide CHYE members with leads and tips and connect them with useful resources.
The one-on-one attention, says one mentee, is invaluable.
“We got to know Rabbi Werde who connected us with CHYE expert mentors Mr. Yehuda Berg and Mr. Shmuly Goldman,” Bracha Torenheim of Flomotion.tv shares. “They helped us find all kinds of programs and grants that allowed us to expand our business, gave us guidance on securing PPP, and advised us on developing important strategies for our business.”
Shalom New of ValcoBaby USA has had a similar experience. “CHYE has been a tremendous resource for my business,” he explains. “Whenever I’m looking for some guidance or referrals for new vendors, I reach out and receive timely advice and great suggestions.”
CHYE matches members with mentors from a wide base of experienced, successful professionals and businesspeople who are prominent in the fields of business strategy and planning, business operation, manufacturing & product development, sales, marketing and public relations, finance, law, and technology. All are ready to offer a wealth of guidance and insight on topics such as business launch and growth, career guidance and more.
Career counselors are also on hand to offer advice on résumé building, job placements, interview preparation and whatever else jobseekers may need.
“Going to a mentor is something that everyone can benefit from, even already successful entrepreneurs,” Torenheim says. “The CHYE mentors have experience dealing with such a variety of issues—in a one-hour conversation, we found solutions that might have taken us years to discover on our own.”
Werde agrees. “This program has a very tangible impact on our community,” he says. “We’re seeing a change in the way our workforce approaches their businesses and careers. People are taking steps that will solidify their parnassah for years to come.”
CHYE’s network also enables vendors and businesses to network with and support one another, New points out. “I cherish being able to support other businesses in my community whenever possible and CHYE—and Rabbi Werde—is the engine that makes that happen.”
Ultimately, Torenheim says, the mentorship program is “a free service in our community that more people should take advantage of.”
To learn more about the CHYE Mentorship Program, visit www.chye.info/mentorship
Yehoshua Werde is incredible.