The Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship offers mentorship support for students,
alumni, and community entrepreneurs at different stages of the startup journey.
Entrepreneurs may request mentor support by emailing LCEmentor@chapman.edu. Based on the entrepreneur’s business needs, Center staff will help match them with
a volunteer mentor whose background and experience are a strong fit.
The Center also offers in-person office hours with volunteer Entrepreneurs in Residence
(EIRs). These sessions provide an opportunity to receive practical guidance, ask questions,
and talk through challenges in an informal setting.
EIR office hours are organized around some of the most common areas where entrepreneurs
need support, including:
Innovative Ideas and Market Validation
- Is my business idea viable?
- Who is my target market?
- How do I validate my business idea?
- What problem does my product or service solve?
- Who are my competitors, and how can I differentiate my offering?
Product Design and Development
- What are the best practices for designing my product?
- Should I build a minimum viable product (MVP) first?
- How do I create a product roadmap?
- What development methodology (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) should I use?
- How do I find and work with product designers and developers?
Funding and Financial Management
- How much capital do I need to start my business?
- Where can I find investors or funding sources?
- How do I create a financial forecast?
- What are the best practices for managing cash flow?
- How do I price my products or services?
Marketing and Branding
- How do I create an effective marketing plan?
- What are the best channels to reach my target audience?
- How do I build a brand?
Growth and Scaling
- How do I acquire and retain customers?
- What sales strategies should I use to grow my business?
- How do I scale my business effectively?
- What strategies can I use to drive sustainable growth?
- How do I measure and analyze my business performance?
If you wish to request a mentor, please fill out this form: