MENTOR PROGRAM

Confidential Program Connecting You With An Experienced Shop Owner.

The economy has been tough for many businesses, including the auto repair industry. Many of us have seen sales volume not only stop growing, but also decrease the last couple of years. Do you have vendors that you owe 60 to 90 days out? Very likely, if your business was making a small profit before, it is not making any profit now. These are signs that we need to ask for a little help.

How many of you wake up an hour earlier than the alarm just because you are excited to go to your business and get started on the day?

All business owners need someone they can communicate with about how things are going in their business, even if it is just to vent. But better yet, we all need a coach or a mentor to help us pick ourselves back up and make a profit again. The goal of the MWACA mentor program is to help you get your business to the next level.

The MWACA Mentor Program is free of charge to members. We will connect you with an experienced shop owner who has “been there”. They are available to give advice and recommendations on any part of your business, whether it is financial, shop processes, marketing, vendors, or shop equipment.

MWACA Mentor Program Expectations

The MWACA Mentor Program is designed to create meaningful mentor/mentee relationships that help members work through current challenges, strengthen their business skills, and build a stronger peer network within MWACA. To keep the program valuable and productive, both mentors and mentees are expected to actively participate, communicate clearly, and follow the program process through Qooper.

Become a Mentor

Learn about the MWACA Mentor Program mentor expectations below and be a part of an impactful program.

Mentors are Expected to...

Complete the required mentor onboarding training before being assigned a mentee match.
Review the mentor expectations and program guidelines in Qooper before beginning the mentorship relationship.
Maintain confidentiality and respect the information shared by the mentee.
Approach the relationship with a supportive, non-judgmental, and non-ego-driven mindset.
Help the mentee think through challenges by sharing perspective, experience, examples, and guidance.
Review the mentee’s Issue Process Form before each mentor meeting.
Upload or save the mentee’s completed Issue Process Form into Qooper.
Come prepared to each meeting based on the information submitted by the mentee.
Keep the conversation focused on the mentee’s current issue, challenge, or goal.
Help the mentee identify realistic next steps or action items.
Encourage accountability without taking over responsibility for the mentee’s business decisions.
Confirm the next meeting date before ending each call or meeting.
Communicate with the mentee in a timely and professional manner.
Notify MWACA if the mentee is not engaging, meetings are not happening, or the match does not seem to be a good fit.
Avoid using the mentorship relationship as a sales opportunity.
Participate in any required mentor check-ins or follow-up requests from MWACA.

Become a Mentee

Learn about the MWACA Mentor Program mentee expectations below and take advantage of this member benefit.

Mentees are Expected to...

Schedule and set up meetings with their assigned mentor.
Confirm the next meeting date before ending each call or meeting.
Come prepared to each meeting with a specific topic, challenge, goal, or question.
Complete the Issue Process Form before mentor meetings so the mentor has time to review the current situation.
Be honest and specific about what is happening in their shop right now.
Share relevant shop information, examples, numbers, or background details that may help the mentor better understand the issue.
Complete the pulse-check survey after each mentor meeting.
Attend quarterly training connected to the mentor program.
Review and complete any assigned learning modules or resources in Qooper.
Take ownership of the goals and action items set by themselves and their mentor.
Follow through on agreed-upon next steps between meetings.
Be open to feedback, new perspectives, and different approaches.
Understand that the mentor is there to provide guidance and perspective, not to make decisions for the mentee or run their business.
Communicate with the mentor if they need to reschedule, are struggling with follow-through, or need additional support.
Notify MWACA if the match does not feel like the right fit or if additional help is needed.

Shared Expectations for Mentors and Mentees

Both mentors and mentees are expected to:

Treat the mentorship relationship with respect and professionalism.
Prioritize scheduled meetings and communicate in advance if a meeting needs to be changed.
Keep conversations confidential.
Use Qooper as the main program platform for onboarding, learning modules, forms, and program updates.
Stay focused on the goals of the mentorship relationship.
Be honest if the match is not working or if expectations are unclear.
Respond to MWACA check-ins, surveys, or requests for feedback.
Help create a positive and productive experience that strengthens the MWACA member community.

Meeting Expectations

Mentor meetings should be focused, practical, and action-oriented. Each meeting should include:

A quick review of the mentee’s current issue or goal.
Discussion of what has happened since the last meeting.
Review of what has been tried and what is or is not working.
Mentor feedback, perspective, or examples.
Clear next steps for the mentee.
Confirmation of the next meeting date.

The goal of each meeting is not to solve everything at once, but to help the mentee make steady progress and leave with a clear direction.

Important Reminder

The MWACA Mentor Program is intended to provide guidance, peer support, and shared experience. It is not a replacement for professional coaching, consulting, legal advice, financial advice, or business management services. Mentees remain responsible for their own decisions, implementation, and business outcomes.