Startup mentorship in Ventura County.

If you’re building something in Ventura County and want someone in your corner, here is exactly how I mentor — and every free alternative in the county, honestly listed, because the right door matters more than my door.

How I mentor

Most of my mentoring runs through Startup Ventura, the 501(c)(3) tech accelerator I founded — founders in our orbit get mentorship, free software and credits, and connections to capital. I also mentor students at CSU Channel Islands, and I hold a standing rule for everyone else: you don’t need a deck, a company, or a technical background to reach out. An idea is enough.

A first conversation with me is usually coffee in downtown Ventura and blunt questions: what are you building, who buys it, what’s actually blocking you this month? If I can help, I will — and often the most useful thing I can do is make one introduction. I sold for startups for ten years before this, so pitch, pipeline, and first customers are where I add the most.

One honest limit: I can’t mentor everyone one-on-one. The deepest way to work with me is through Startup Ventura’s programs.

Free mentorship resources in Ventura County

Depending on what you’re building, one of these may serve you better than I can — and they’re all free or close to it:

SCORE Ventura County — no-cost mentoring from a bench of 60+ volunteer mentors, most of them retired executives. Great for small-business fundamentals. score.org/ventura

The SBDC hosted by the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC-VC) — free one-on-one advising from senior consultants, serving Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Strong on loans, financials, and operations. edcsbdc.org

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) — multi-session business education, consulting, and loans up to $150,000, focused on women entrepreneurs. wevonline.org

Which door should you knock on?

Rule of thumb: if you’re opening a local small business, start with SCORE or the SBDC. If you’re a woman founder who wants structure, WEV. If you’re building a startup — something meant to grow fast and raise capital — that’s what Startup Ventura exists for, and that’s where I live.

Not sure where you fit? That’s what the coffee is for. Say hello and I’ll point you at the right door, even when it isn’t mine.