Tyler Ojala is the director of operations at WorcLab, a nonprofit business incubator in downtown Worcester. Reach him at tyler@worclab.org.
Updated: 5 hours ago
Advice
The magic of mentorship
By Tyler Ojala
Mentorship is invaluable. Life demands that we play both roles: the teacher and the student. When I first started at WorcLab, I was more than a little overwhelmed. I had the good fortune of working alongside Zachary Dutton, who was then the executive director of the Venture Forum and is now leading Auxilium.
Our organizations collaborated on several initiatives and having him just steps away allowed me to quickly seek guidance on everything, from drafting emails and interpreting meetings to choosing the right outfit for an event.
That kind of informal guidance is just as impactful as structured programs and has taught me the importance of mentorship in both entrepreneurial and professional development.
Why mentor? I am now serving my fourth term as a mentor with EforAll Greater Worcester, a program that supports small businesses through weekly classes and structured mentorship, and I have served as a mentor with Startup Worcester, a nine-month accelerator for scalable tech startups.
The transformation an entrepreneur makes after completing a program like this is remarkable. Both initiatives go beyond traditional education by creating a dynamic space for problem solving, reflection, and growth, empowering entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and scale their businesses effectively.
In Worcester, mentorship fuels the startup ecosystem, guiding entrepreneurs through the challenges of building a business; but they often give back to the programs and organizations that helped them, whether it be through teaching a workshop or mentoring themselves. Ultimately, this cycle exponentially grows the startup ecosystem over time.
The duality of mentorship. One of the greatest misconceptions about mentorship is it is a one-way exchange of knowledge. In fact, mentorship is a two-way street. As much as mentees learn from their mentors, the reverse is just as true.
I’ve experienced many moments where I was forced to learn about an industry or business I otherwise would not have researched. It keeps you sharp, forcing you to stay curious, adapt, and expand your own understanding along the way.
It takes a village to raise a business. The most successful entrepreneurs and professionals recognize that growth never happens in isolation. Worcester’s entrepreneurial ecosystem thrives because experienced business owners, investors, and community leaders make it a priority to share their time and expertise.
Mentorship is not just a responsibility; it is an opportunity. It challenges us to think critically, expand our perspectives, and strengthen our leadership skills. Every conversation offers an opportunity to pay forward the knowledge we have acquired while learning something new.
So, who shaped your journey? And just as importantly, whose journey will you shape next?
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