If you could create your own fantasy board of directors, who would be on it? CO— connects you with thought leaders from across the business spectrum and asks them to help solve your biggest business challenges. In this edition, we ask a science entrepreneur to discuss his mentorship tips.
In this edition of “Ask the Board,” we feature Dr. Jonathan Scheiman, Co-founder and CEO of FitBiomics, a sports biotechnology company that spun out of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. It utilizes next-generation sequencing to understand what makes elite athletes unique.
Jon's own mentor, George Church, was a huge part of his academic experiences at Harvard’s prestigious Wyss Institute and inspired him to continue his career in science. Here are Jon's tips on how to grow your business through mentorship:
Be proactive
Don’t wait for mentorship opportunities to come to you. Activate your network and reach out to individuals who have genuinely influenced your life or career and initiate the conversation. It can also be someone that you met at a conference and/or have seen on LinkedIn but never met. The point is to talk to experts in the field that you can learn from.
Cast a wide net
Don’t hesitate to look for potential mentors with backgrounds or fields that are different from your own. In fact, having diverse areas of expertise and perspectives is a good thing. Growth often comes outside of your comfort zone. Diverse experiences can offer valuable perspectives, especially if you think differently or aim to innovate. There is a well known phrase: “you don’t know what you don’t know.”
I do think that sometimes ignorance is bliss in terms of thinking outside the box. However, there are certain structures in business, science that can either accelerate your growth or enable new, and valuable, ideas with a mentor’s support. Time is one of the biggest assets you have as an entrepreneur, so having mentors that can either save you time (and money) as well as extend it is very important. I have been inspired by a lot of different things that have shaped the way I think about my business.
I love hearing stories from entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, scientists, etc. I had an eclectic background by the time I arrived at Harvard. I played tuba at the LaGuardia “Fame” high school in NYC, and then I played Division I basketball at St. John’s University. I met one of my mentors, George Church, at Harvard’s Wyss Institute. Despite not having the typical background of someone who would go on to study the human microbiome and create a biotech company, George valued my varied experiences and encouraged me to think differently.
Set up regular meetings to build trust, maintain momentum, and create accountability. Even brief, consistent check-ins can significantly strengthen the mentoring relationship over time.Jonathan Scheiman, Co-founder and CEO of FitBiomics
Be clear about your needs
When approaching a potential mentor, be specific about what you are asking for—whether it’s strategic advice, networking help, or feedback on a project. Most people are flattered when asked to be a mentor, but they also want to make sure they can actually help and provide what you need.
Clear communication ensures both sides can make the most of the relationship. I also think there is somewhat of a distinction between mentors (whom you are primarily learning from and confiding in) and advisors. The latter are there to help support specific parts of your business and open networks. The mentor relationship can become therapeutic at times, whereas the advisor relationship might be more tactical.
Either way, it is important to know that when starting a business—you are the “boss” and the people surrounding you are there to help you. Confide in them, learn from them, but also be specific with what help you need from them.
Bring a friend
If you’re a little nervous to approach a potential mentorship situation on your own, ask a friend in a similar field if they’d like to tag-team the mentor with someone you both respect and admire. I also think just being organic is the way to go. You’re not asking a mentor for money, but rather time and effort. That usually comes when someone is aligned with your vision and passion. The best thing to do is be yourself. I’m a big believer in receiving the energy you give out.
Establish consistent check-ins
Set up regular meetings to build trust, maintain momentum, and create accountability. Even brief, consistent check-ins can significantly strengthen the mentoring relationship over time. Even now, years after starting FitBiomics, I meet over Zoom with one of my mentors monthly. It’s a great chance for me to bring them up to speed on projects I’m working on, set aside dedicated time for questions and feedback. It’s important to realize that a mentor is there for the long term. Even if there is some time apart, it’s always good to check in and reengage.
Show appreciation and pay it forward
Always express gratitude for the time and guidance your mentor offers. This can be in the form of a handwritten thank you note—old school, I know, but still makes an impact—or a shoutout on LinkedIn. As you and your business grow, look for opportunities to mentor others—even small acts of guidance can have a lasting impact.
For me, it’s sending a random “thank you” text message to let people know that I really appreciate their support and being part of the journey. It's also important to keep mentors updated on things, especially wins. Mentors “invest” a lot of time and energy into you, primarily because they like you and want to see you be successful. When you win, they win as well.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
