Mentee Questionnaire 

 Mentor Questionnaire 

Scaling a food and beverage business isn’t simple, so it’s good that you don’t have to do it alone. Mentorship accelerates learning, sharpens decision‑making, and builds confidence.  

 

SFA’s evolved Mentorship Program is built to support growth‑stage founders navigating high‑impact decisions in the next 6–12 months.
With a structured schedule and enhanced support for participants, the program is more focused and action‑oriented than ever, designed to help solve each founder’s most pressing real‑time challenge: scaling, pricing, retail readiness, distributor relationships, fundraising, and more.
The Mentorship Program runs from April 1 through September.
All qualified applicants are invited to join our monthly Mentorship Meet‑Ups with mentor‑led deep‑dives on the most pressing founder challenges.
1:1 matches are limited to 50 founders.
Apply Now! Applications close March 25.


Who This Program Is For 

This program is meant for growth-stage founders looking to make big moves in 2026 and early 2027. 



    • Already have an operating business 

    • Are tackling meaningful growth steps in the next 6–12 months 

    • Value honest, experienced perspective from someone who’s been in the operator seat 



Program Schedule  

Over six months (April - September), matched founders meet once per month with their mentor for personalized, 1:1 guidance.

  • Every qualified applicant, matched or not, participates in our monthly Meet‑Ups from April through September. 

    Mentor‑Led Deep Dives 

    Industry mentors lead focused discussions on the most-cited challenges, including: 

    • Scaling operations 

    • Retail readiness 

    • Channel expansion 

    • Distributor management 

    • Pricing & margins 

    • Marketing strategy 

    Live Q&A for Real‑Time Answers 

    Founders can: 

    • Ask their most pressing questions 

    • Learn how peers are approaching similar obstacles 

    • Gain tactical, applicable guidance they can use immediately 

    Whether you’re matched or not, these sessions ensure you learn, connect, and grow throughout the full program. 

  • Each matched founder receives a monthly session designed to help you: 

    • Zero in on your most urgent decisions 

    • Validate your approach and uncover blind spots 

    • Set clear decision checkpoints 

    • Build consistent traction month over month 

    These conversations give you the structure, accountability, and strategic clarity to move faster and smarter. 



What This Program Helps You Tackle

Strengthen the foundation your business needs to scale with confidence.

  • Shape how your company shows up and how it gets funded. 
    You may be working on: 

    • Rebrand or portfolio strategy 

    • Investor readiness and funding materials 

  • Expand where and how your brand sells. 
    You may be working on: 

    • New channel entry (wholesale, foodservice, Amazon) 

    • Distributor readiness 

    • Retail strategy & promotions 

    • Marketing strategy & spend allocation 

  • Strengthen the internal foundation needed to scale responsibly. 
    You may be working on: 

    • Production or operations scaling 

    • Launching a new SKU 

    • Regulatory or compliance requirements 

    • Organizational growth 



How Matching Works

Matching is thoughtful, personalized, and intentionally selective to ensure the highest possible impact. Because we prioritize fit, not speed, not all applicants will be matched. 

  • Tell us your growth priorities and what you want from mentorship. 
  • We assess your category, revenue stage, operational realities, and strategic needs. 
  • Mentors outline where they deliver the most value: operations, brand, retail, fundraising, and more. 
  • Matches are made when there is: 

    • Strong alignment between your challenges and mentor expertise 

    • Available mentor capacity 

    • No conflicts of interest 

    • Clear potential for meaningful progress over six months 



Why Apply?

Join a community of founders taking real steps forward. Every qualified applicant gains access, insight, and momentum through expert‑led support. Ready to move your business forward?  Apply now and take your next step.

 Mentee Questionnaire 

 Mentor Questionnaire