By Chiamaka Mbah
Have you ever had a great business idea but no clue where to start?
That was me before I joined the MORE by Meristem Mentorship Program,
delivered by the incredible team at Mentor Intro Africa (MIA).
I knew I wanted to build something valuable, but I had questions:
·
How do I structure a business for growth?
·
What makes customers stay loyal?
·
How do I pitch my ideas confidently?
I needed guidance. What I didn’t expect was a transformational
six-week journey that gave me not just answers, but practical tools,
real-world insights, and a supportive community of mentors and peers.
Catching Up & Finding My Rhythm
My journey didn’t start smoothly—I missed the first two orientation
sessions due to other commitments. Panic set in. Was I already behind?
Thankfully, the MIA team had structured recordings ready for us
to catch up. That was my first lesson: this program was built for real people
with real lives.
Balancing sessions with my daily routine was tough. Sometimes, I’d be in
transit during classes, struggling to focus over the noise. But I stuck with
it—because I knew this wasn’t just another business webinar. It was an
opportunity to grow.
The Game-Changing Lessons I Learned
Every session brought something valuable, but a few stood out:
🔹 Customer Experience &
Retention Strategies with Mentor Ufoma Thompson
This was my absolute favorite! We didn’t just talk about customer
experience—we acted it out.
Through role-playing, we explored what keeps customers coming back (and what
drives them away). It was fun, practical, and deeply eye-opening.
🔹 Developing Your UVP &
Marketing Strategy with Mentor Itohan Izugbokwe — Where I Won ₦20,000!
Branding and positioning can make or break a business. This session
pushed us to think deeper about what makes our business different.
And then, the icing on the cake—I won ₦20,000 for answering a question right!
But honestly, the biggest win was learning that confidence and showing up
can open real doors.
🔹 Perfecting Your Business Pitch
with Mentor Bolu Olatunji
Pitching used to intimidate me—until this session.
Mentor Bolu walked us through how to craft and deliver a strong pitch, and then
helped us apply it in real-time. I teamed up with Jessy and Derin, and together
we worked on our pitch deck and business plan.
What stood out? The hands-on feedback. Bolu didn’t just teach and
leave—he worked with us, step-by-step, until we got it right.
What Made It Special? The MIA Factor.
One thing I have to highlight is the Mentor Intro Africa team.
They didn’t just “run” the sessions—they brought them to life.
From their energy and engagement to how they made sure we stayed
connected, supported, and involved—MIA made learning feel effortless,
exciting, and deeply human.
Even when things got tough, they were there. Checking in, reminding us,
encouraging us. It’s rare to see that kind of care in a virtual program, and I
don’t take it for granted.
Was It Worth It? 100%!
Looking back, this program gave me more than I imagined:
· Confidence in my ideas
· Clarity around my business structure
· Community, mentorship, and momentum
Would I recommend it? Without hesitation.
Would I love to engage with Mentor Intro Africa again? Absolutely!
If you’re thinking of joining, here’s my advice:
Take it seriously. Show up. Ask questions. Participate.
You never know—your answer might just earn you ₦20,000 too 😉
Final Note: Gratitude
Thank you to MORE by Meristem for curating a powerful experience,
to the Mentor Intro Africa team for delivering it with passion and
excellence, to the mentors for pouring into us, and to every participant who
made the journey so rich.
This isn’t just the end of a mentorship program—it’s the beginning of
something bigger.
— Chiamaka Mbah
MORE by Meristem Alpha Cohort (2025)
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