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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

RAMP Real Advice Mentoring Program

RAMP is a team-based mentoring program making a big impact on the local entrepreneurial community.

03/22/2024

We believe in linking mentors and companies for entreprenurial success!

Learn more about RAMP at https://www.southalabama.edu/ramp/

03/21/2024

Sharing wisdom! We asked our mentors to tell us the top 5 things any entrepreneur needs to know. We loved Clif Inge's description of the second point. Growing up on the farm, riding around the property in a truck, some folks might avoid having to open the farm gates by sitting in the middle seat. He decided to be the one who always opens the gate. In this spirit, he is a great mentor who opens many gates and delivers great value for those companies in our program. Here are all of his 5 points.
1. Always pay it forward.
2. Be the guy who opens the gate.
3. Add value to everything you do.
4. Prior planning prevents poor performance.
5. Learn how to shake a hand.

03/18/2024

RAMP mentors are carefully selected, and they agree to abide by a code of ethics governing confidentiality, conflict of interest, and conduct. This creates a no-threat environment in which ventures can be confident of receiving unbiased advice.

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Our Story

The Vision
In 2016 the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce visited Greenville, South Carolina for a Leadership Exchange and learned about a team-based mentoring program making a big impact on the local entrepreneurial community. The program, based on a world-renowned, proprietary model created at MIT, is known as the Venture Mentoring Service (VMS). We were inspired to establish RAMP, the Real Advice Mentoring Program.

Many partners made it happen: Mobile County, the City of Mobile, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the University of South Alabama (USA), the Innovation PortAL, Exchange 202, and the Alabama Small Business Development Center. Dr. Michael Chambers of USA helped organize the coalition that sponsored RAMP. “We were the first MIT VMS licensee in the state, and are one of only a handful on the Gulf Coast,” Chambers said. “Area companies will have a unique opportunity to work with teams of world-class mentors to solve problems specific to their businesses.”

The collaboration would not have been possible without the vision and support of then-President of the Mobile County Commission Merceria Ludgood, Mayor Sandy Stimpson and Chamber President Bill Sisson. USA administers RAMP through Dr. Chambers’ office with assistance from the other partners, including USA’s Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. According to Dr. Don Mosley, the executive director of the Melton Center, “Mentoring is so critical to an organization’s growth and development; MIT provided a proven model that we are able to implement in our community.”

The Impact

One of companies mentored in the pilot was started by Mobile native Connie Simpson. Her work with celebrities like Brooke Shields, Jessica Biel, and Emily Blunt has made her “Nanny to the Stars.” When her book The Nanny Connie Way… was published, a simple service-to-one-family business model instantly developed the potential to be a publishing, branding and marketing player. Courtney Simpson, Nanny Connie’s daughter, serves as the company's passionate COO.

“The chance to be mentored by established leaders in industries where we are looking to make our mark is invaluable. Public success and rapid growth hit us quickly. Our mentors have guided us through some major deals, ensuring that our vision remained at the center of every choice. They’ve forced us to think outside the box and expand our potential beyond anything that we've dared imagine. The amazing part about it all is they share their time and talents, expecting nothing in return, but the hope for our success. I encourage all entrepreneurs to apply for RAMP: take a step out on faith and seize the opportunity of a lifetime.” - Courtney Simpson, COO, Nanny Connie

The Method

The teams of experienced mentors help companies prioritize and focus on critical issues. Mentors must sign a code of ethics governing confidentiality, conflict of interest and conduct. This ensures a no-threat environment where companies can share information freely and receive well-informed advice.

The rigorously-selected RAMP mentors come from a deep pool of knowledgeable local entrepreneurs and business executives. They include HR Harvey, former CEO of Lifestyle Brands, the licensee for all non-food and beverage consumer products of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville; and Mary Beth Greene, designer and visionary of mb greene bags, sold by retailers throughout the U.S. including Neiman Marcus. Check out all of our mentors online at southalabama.edu/ramp.

These diverse mentors are volunteers who want to help local companies grow, succeed, and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The mentoring is company-driven, with the teams addressing company needs, and bringing in new mentors if additional expertise is needed. Remarkably, the service is completely free and can continue as long as the relationship is productive.

The Future

Now that the pilot period has been completed, new companies will be invited to apply and new mentors will be added and trained on the MIT model. To be eligible, interested entrepreneurs should have an existing company in the greater South Alabama area. Some revenue is preferred, but exceptions can be made depending on the circumstances.

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Telephone

(251) 460-6507

Website

https://southalabama.edu/ramp

Address

307 N. University Boulevard, N
Mobile, AL
36688

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm