Downtown St. Charles group starts mentor program

ST. CHARLES - The Downtown St. Charles Partnership has launched a new Mentorship Program, a free resource for new and existing Downtown St. Charles businesses that connects business owners with a local mentor who has expertise in a particular area of interest.

The DSCP's Business Development and Education Committee recently organized a mixer event and invited businesses to come and "Meet the Mentors" as a way to get to know each mentor. Business Development and Education Committee member and mentor Craig Frank helped develop the program,

"The number one priority of the Business Education Committee is to help businesses in St. Charles grow and prosper," Frank said. "We assembled a list of experienced local business operators who are willing to help mentor a new or existing entrepreneur. We especially want to consult with new operators before they open for business. Their success affects the rest of the community." Each mentor was hand-picked by the Committee and is an expert in their field.

The mentors include:

• Doug Summers, Summers Commercial Real Estate

• Paul Lencioni, Blue Goose Market

• Craig Frank, Frank's Employment, Inc

• Sue McDowell, McDowell Remodeling

• Gary Dudzik, STC Capital Bank

• Leah Hoppes, Vision Force Marketing

• Chris K. Prieve, Prieve Associates

• Alex Tyler, Goldfish Swim School

• Matthew O'Rourke, City of St. Charles

• David Jimenez, El Puente Restaurant

• Steve Martin, First State Bank

• Harriet Parker, Waubonsee Community College

• Sybil Ege, Elgin Community College

To find out more about the mentors and the new mentorship program, check out the DSCP's website at www.downtownstcharles.org.