Mentees:
 
 
"I have read in books that every successful businessman needs a mentor - I have found one now! Thank you very much!"
 
Bob was fantastic! He made me feel that I was doing ok and gave me the initial confidence that I needed so this in turn enabled me to be a better business minded person, although I am still learning!’
 
We were quite bowled over that you were able to provide such a helpful and professional service at no cost to the users.’
 
The service is a great sounding board - they have people who have the experience of what it is like to run a small and medium size business. If you don't have any other options to bounce ideas off or if you don't have access to anyone who doesn't have some kind of bias to bounce the ideas off then why not give it a try.’
 
I found my session with Mike very useful, reassurance of the steps I've taken so far, a great sounding board for bouncing ideas off and picked up some really useful advice and tips. I'd recommend it to anyone setting up in business particularly if you're doing it alone.’
 
I felt very energised by Mike's enthusiasm for my business venture. The session was so helpful and I am very grateful.’
 
I want to thank Barbara for her help. It is so nice to know that there are people who are available to help and to offer their experience and guidance and for no other reason than because they want to and that in itself is very reassuring, especially to someone very new to business.’
 
I think this service needs to be promoted more. I wish I had access to my mentor 2 years ago. Many SMEs and start-ups would welcome access to a Mentor with Brendons experience.
 
Very thorough and knowledgeable about the fields in which we needed support. Had some great advise about how we can move forward - speaking from experience.
                                                                            
Brendon was brilliant. He understood our business and its challenges in minutes and made specific, concrete suggestions without making us feel like we were idiots for not having done it earlier.
                                                                           
Absolutely brilliant to provide access to people with the extent of experience and business knowledge in this mentoring programme. I'm surprised new businesses aren't queuing up outside the door for your help & advice. Very practical and very useful.
 
Barbara is always positive about developments and sees them as opportunities rather than threats. She helps to put things into perspective and focus on the business generators rather than the time waster activities. Extremely useful!
 
Excellent service. Iain is the perfect mentor me. Much better than I had anticipated. It's such a great opportunity to step back from your business and take a look at it as a whole with someone who knows business.
 
Great service as my mentor knew the local area so could be useful in suggesting specific companies to contact. It was very useful talking to somebody who wasn't directly involved with my field of business as she could see things from another angle.
 
Just a quick note to register my huge appreciation for you putting me in touch with Kelvin.   I had an excellent session with him this morning -  the mentoring service is fantastic.  It's great to find something so genuine.
 
Our initial meeting has already been an incredible help in refining our aims and ambitions for our business. As young entrepreneurs, the input from Kelvin has inspired our next steps in developing our business and taking it to the next level.
 
Amazing knowledge and Mike was so keen to share his experience and showed great empathy for our business and its success
 
When things are difficult it can be helpful to talk to someone who know business and can point you in the right direction.
 
I've come away feeling very much more positive about the future of the business, which can only help in motivating my staff. From feeling there was nothing I could do I can now see there are always opportunities, and talking to an outsider has made me see the assets I have that I am not making the most of.
 
 
Mentors:
 
Val:
In a world where there is a lot of cynicism and distrust, Oxford Business Mentoring offers genuine and practical support to business owners free of charge.
Our mentors do this firstly by listening to clients’ problems, and secondly by enabling them to move forward in a positive way.
 
Marc:
Oxford Business Mentors has given me, as a business owner, the opportunity  to give something back. All too often business is about take and profit. However running a business has so much more to offer that those two elements.
There is a saying I use often which is “Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
Mentoring for me is helping someone plant a seed and watching in germinate and grow in to a harvest a business can be proud of. And if just one seed germinates and produces some harvest then I have achieved something far more than profit”
 
Andrew:
Mentoring allows people who run real business locally to help bring on the next generation of local entrepreneurs and to share with them some of the experience they have gained along the way. The structure of the organisation and its ethos allow this transfer of knowledge and experience to be done in a relaxed and informal way.
 
Emma:
For me, the essence of this service for clients is that you are helping them to find their own answers rather than imposing your view on them.  You are their guide reflecting back to them what they are saying and adding the benefit of your own business experience.  It works because there is mutual respect.  What we are not are “know-it-alls who tell their clients what to do”.   
 
Dave:
Nothing gives me more pleasure than helping others to grow their businesses
I was one of the very first clients to walk through their doors when they opened nearly 30years ago as TBAC and I have been a very keen supporter due to the fact they have always helped and supported local business people. It is a pleasure now to be able to return the favour.
 
Claire:
Oxford Business Mentors is a chance for me to pass on the help and support that the original TBAC mentors gave me when I set up my business.  Whatever business you run the main basic principles usually apply, and the issue the owner comes to you with is rarely the one that needs looking at.