Launching and scaling a startup is both thrilling and demanding, especially for international entrepreneurs navigating new markets. While passion and drive are essential, they’re rarely enough on their own.
That’s where mentorship makes a difference. A strong mentor-mentee relationship can transform uncertainty into confidence. Having someone who’s “been there” and “done that” offers timely guidance, real-world insights and encouragement for critical decisions.
At Roseview Global, we believe in matching founders with mentors who bring diverse experience across sectors like healthcare, IT, construction, and sales. This breadth of knowledge helps us deliver mentorship that’s practical, relevant, and deeply supportive of the international entrepreneurs we serve.
Mentor-Mentee Spotlight: Sam and Reza of TopSUN Heating
Sam is one of RGI’s dedicated mentors, known for his strategic mindset and passion for sharing hard-earned experience. He began his career in an entry-level role in the consumer hard goods industry and led the Canadian division of an international power tool company.
“Developing products, managing logistics and distribution and ultimately sales in a number of various channels, over a long career, provided [me] what might be termed as a ‘cradle-to-grave’ product education,” shares Sam.
Sam has learned that building a great product is only part of the equation. True success comes from how that product is positioned, launched, and supported in the market.
Sam brought this insight into his mentorship with Reza of TopSUN, an RGI client developing and manufacturing innovative electrical heating systems, including a unique non-invasive under-rug heating solution. Through regular conversations and strategic guidance, Sam helped founder Reza focus on market segmentation, safety, and business development.
“Sam pointed me toward resources for safety certification,” shared Reza, TopSUN’s founder. Sam and Reza’s mentor-mentee relationship has included strategic introductions to potential investors and distributors. “His input helped me refine my approach and continue my outreach with better clarity and focus,” Reza states.
What began as tactical support evolved into a trusted, collaborative partnership. “We have an open and honest relationship and can speak freely about the challenges and opportunities that are ahead of us,” shares Sam. “My focus is to address issues that will help bring his products to market in a timely fashion, ultimately culminating in a go-to-market strategy that will produce revenue for TopSUN.”
This is what effective mentorship looks like, built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to growth. It’s not just about giving advice; it’s about listening, challenging, and walking the journey together.
The Power of Experience
Mentors often serve as sounding boards, catalysts, and reality checks when needed most. What they offer isn’t just advice, it’s earned experience from years of navigating complex challenges.
They’ve made tough calls, seen market shifts, and learned when to pivot. That lived experience becomes a valuable shortcut for founders who might otherwise face the same obstacles alone. And once that knowledge is earned, its impact multiplies when shared. Good mentors help founders avoid missteps, move faster, and make more informed choices, all critical in the fast-moving startup world.
Beyond Lessons: Perspective
Experience also brings more than just knowledge; it offers perspective. When founders feel overwhelmed or stuck in the weeds, a mentor helps zoom out and refocus. They remind mentees that setbacks may feel significant, but they are not a sign of failure; they are part of the process.
This perspective can often become a stabilizing factor. When founders may be too close to see challenges clearly, a mentor can bring the clarity of distance, helping mentees slow down, think critically and make decisions strategically.
A Two-Way Street
It’s easy to think of mentorship as a one-way exchange, from expert to learner. But in truth, the best mentorships are mutual.
Mentors bring clarity, insight, and experience. Founders bring energy, curiosity, and a window into emerging industries and trends. This exchange keeps mentors sharp and inspired, while founders gain invaluable perspective, helping them accelerate and grow with confidence.
Mentorship at Roseview Global
Since the beginning, Roseview Global has placed mentorship at the heart of our mission. In our BASE program, founders engage with mentors through presentations and hands-on workshops. In the RISE incubator, our clients receive personalized coaching to refine their business plans and accelerate their path to market.
As Reza puts it, “The RGI mentorship program helped me in three key areas: identifying potential investors, exploring market positioning, and understanding safety and regulatory requirements.”
Mentorship at RGI isn’t just guidance, it’s a foundation. A platform that supports international entrepreneurs as they build something new in an unfamiliar territory. Because when the right mentor meets the right founder at the right time, growth isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable.
Connect with the RGI team today by visiting roseviewglobal.com.