Mentoring Month: Embrace the Power of Mentorship in 2025
Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels
January is here, and with it comes an exciting opportunity to kick off the year with purpose and impact—Mentoring Month! This month is dedicated to celebrating the far reaching impact that mentorship has on both mentors and mentees, and it’s the perfect time to reflect on how you can make a difference in your community, business, or education. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a young professional, or an industry leader, mentoring is one of the most powerful ways to support personal growth and foster meaningful change.
At Built By Us, we’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of mentorship. Our programmes have been helping individuals grow in their careers, expand their networks, and build the confidence they need to succeed. Mentoring isn’t just about giving—it’s a two-way street that benefits both the mentor and mentee. For mentees, it’s an opportunity to gain insights, guidance, and encouragement, while for mentors, it’s a chance to give back, share knowledge, and make a lasting impact. What could be more rewarding than helping shape the future of the built environment while growing your own leadership and communication skills?
Mentoring at Built By Us: Making Waves Since 2012
Since our founding in 2012 by Danna Walker, Built By Us has been at the forefront of driving diversity and inclusion in the built environment sector. Our award-winning Fluid Programme was created to address the systemic lack of representation in the industry, and over the past decade, it has become a key platform for empowering underrepresented talent. The Fluid Programme has successfully connected established professionals with emerging talent, creating valuable relationships that have led to career advancements, new opportunities, and, in some cases, lifelong friendships.
But it doesn’t stop there! We’re excited to share that we will be opening applications for the Shape Programme in February 2025 for aspiring entrepreneurs.
SHAPE Programme: Empowering Early-Stage Entrepreneurs
SHAPE is a programme designed for early-stage entrepreneurs—whether you’re in the early days of your startup or within the first 4 years of establishing your business. This programme is perfect for anyone in the built environment industry looking to bring their vision to life.
What Makes SHAPE Different:
A Focus on Entrepreneurship: SHAPE blends mentorship with hands-on workshops, providing the tools, knowledge, and confidence you need to take your business to the next level.
Diverse Participants: SHAPE is open to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds—whether you’re a designer, a craftsperson, or a creative entrepreneur, we welcome all talent.
Tailored Learning: From business structure and pricing your services to branding and marketing strategies, our workshops will give you the guidance you need to make informed decisions for your business.
Mentorship for Real-World Challenges: You’ll have access to experienced mentors who can guide you through the hurdles of starting and running a business, offering practical advice that you can apply immediately.
Built By Us is committed to increasing diversity and representation in the leadership of the built environment. SHAPE is dedicated to supporting traditionally underrepresented groups, including:
Women
The Global Majority (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities)
Disabled People
LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Those facing socio-economic disadvantage
We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, and mentorship is a key step in creating a more inclusive, innovative, and equitable future.
Photo by Vanessa Garcia from Pexels
Get Involved: Be Part of the Change
If you're ready to make a real impact this year, Mentoring Month is the perfect time to get involved. Whether you're interested in becoming a mentor, applying to the SHAPE programme, or just learning more about what we do, now is the time to take action.
How to Get Started:
Interested in Mentoring? If you’re an experienced professional looking to give back, we’d love to hear from you. Become a mentor and help shape the next generation of leaders in the built environment!
Applications for the new SHAPE Programme will open soon! Keep an eye on our website and socials for more details, and check out the full list of SHAPE programme benefits to see how this can help you realise your business vision.
Don’t miss our upcoming Shape Graduation - Renew - Shape Programme New Year Celebration on 21st January 2025! It’s a fantastic opportunity to hear firsthand from SHAPE participants, celebrate their achievements, and learn more about what the programme can offer you. You can find event details and register here.
