Agency Role FAQ

A C7™ group is open to small businesses that have been in operation for at least 12 months before the date they apply. They must have an organized structure (sole proprietor, Corporation, etc.) and have a product or service they sell. The protégé is either the owner or the highest-level manager who can make decisions about the business operations and finance and is solely responsible for the business's outcome.

There is no limit on the size of your business or if you have been in business for multiple years; however, you may find the discussions essential. If this is the case, you may consider being a Mentor.

C7™ is designed to provide assistance and mentoring to ongoing businesses. This program is not for you if you are a start-up or just considering a business idea. This is not for you if you participate in a multi-level sales organization.

The Mentors are business owners and high-level managers (must have experience in starting and running a business). They are successful and have been in business for at least five years. They are dedicated to being a mentor and serving their community. Mentors are good facilitators and have a servant attitude and disposition.

While many mentors are good at starting their businesses and running them profitably, they may need to gain experience leading small groups. Knowing this, every Mentor will receive some training based on their prior experience. All mentors will also be given tips and coaching monthly to discuss the curriculum and any issues they may have.

The discussion at each C7™ meeting varies, but the common thread is the topic for the month. Meetings last, at a minimum, 90 minutes. Before each meeting at the beginning of the month, participants will be able to log in and see the topic of the month. There will also be some reading assignments and perhaps videos or other information to digest. Proteges are expected to be prepared and read and engage with the material.

During the meeting, there will be time to discuss the topic for the month and anything the readings or other media may have sparked. The Mentor is free to manage the meeting as they see fit; however, they are obligated to cover the month's topic.

The C7™ meeting is less about homework assignments and more about talking, learning, and supporting each other. Think of it as a hyper-intense networking event that supports your business needs. You are all focused on each other and focused on the topic.

The place and time of your meeting is one of the first things your cohort will get to decide as a group. Many groups meet at the mentors' place of business if they have the room and facilities to do so. Others might meet at a public library meeting room, a Chamber of Commerce, or the group sponsoring the program. They often have meeting rooms available for the community. Many banks have public meeting rooms also.

Avoid meeting in a loud public place like a restaurant or bar is recommended. First of all, it might be hard to hear for some, and sometimes you may be discussing confidential items that you wouldn’t want the public to hear; some groups like to meet informally after their formal meeting in a restaurant or bar to socialize. The meeting time must be worked out between your cohort members. Some meet during the day, and others in the evening.

The cohort runs for nine months. Typically it will run during a school year schedule, from September through May.

At the beginning of the session, the entire cohort will meet each other and receive their mentor assignments. At that meeting, mentors and proteges will receive a standard set of guidelines on how the cohort will run. Mentors will have already received their training. It will be a casual affair.

At the end of the nine sessions, all proteges get a “diploma” indicating the successful completion of the program at the “graduation” event. We will all rejoice and cheer for the perseverance and dedication of each of the proteges and recognize the selflessness of the Mentors.