PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Yonge Street Mission is committed to providing support and guidance to entrepreneurs seeking to establish and sustain small businesses successfully. The Entrepreneurship Resource Fund (ERF) , which offers micro grants and personalized paired coaching sessions, is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Objective: To provide tailored support, expert guidance, and constructive feedback to entrepreneurs preparing to pitch their business ideas for YSM microgrant funding. Paired with them by YSM staff, the goal is to mentor them to refine their business plans, strengthen their pitch presentations to empower them to overcome challenges and improve their confidence and performance at their microgrant interview.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participate in orientation and training with YSM to learn about the project and volunteering at YSM.
- Meet weekly with assigned entrepreneurs to set and review specific goals and actions for running their business successfully
- Provide one-on-one guidance and support in refining their business plan and cash flow statement
- Support the entrepreneur in preparing for the Grant Interview to be conducted in May 2026 by conducting mock grant interviews and providing constructive feedback on pitch structure and delivery
- Guide the entrepreneur through the Grant Implementation period, helping them utilize the grant effectively and stay on track with their business goals
- Offer continuous support and encouragement to maintain the entrepreneur’s motivation
- Recognize and celebrate milestones and progress
- Complete and submit a brief coaching relationship check-in report to YSM for guidance and support
- Understand and adhere to the policies and procedures of YSM
- Participate in feedback activities to gather learnings to further program enhancements
Requirements:
- Commitment to the mandate and values of YSM to help entrepreneurs help themselves
- Adept at relating to and empathizing with people from various cultural backgrounds and their aspirations
- Background in one or more business functions such as general management, strategy, accounting, finance, marketing, operations or law
- Previous or existing experience in entrepreneurship or running a small business
- Previous experience in pitch competitions or interview is a plus
- Capable of building capacity/help developing the skills of entrepreneurs to make strategic business decisions for themselves
- Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries while providing valuable guidance during business start-up
- Skilled at providing positive and constructive feedback and challenging assumptions, as required
- Accessible, reliable and able to meet commitments
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential
- Knowledge of creating written proposals, especially business plans and cash flows
- Previous experience making presentations before a group of people is a plus
How to apply:
Please send an email to nchuba@ysm.ca with “Business Coach – Entrepreneurship Program” as the subject title of your email, and including a written statement of interest and relevant background experience; feel free to include a LinkedIn profile link.