The power of WBS mentorship: Katie Clift's story

Meet Katie Clift: CEO and Cofounder of may:be agency, Ambassador for the WBS Women in Business Alumni Network and previous WBS mentee.

For MBA alum Katie Clift, the WBS Global Mentoring Programme gave her a trusted sounding board, fresh and often unexpected perspectives, and the confidence she needed at a pivotal point in her entrepreneurial journey.

From shaping early business decisions to guiding her through the challenges of scaling and hiring, the insights she gained from her mentor were invaluable. Here, Katie tells us more:

“The guidance you receive from a mentor cannot be quantified. I was paired with a mentor totally outside my region and sector and her insights into my business and personal growth were unexpected and invaluable. It was so significant to have the experience of someone who had completed an MBA and understood the WBS system (we had the shared experience) but also to receive her different perspective on my business planning, decisions and general thinking about the future of my company. It really helped me at the early stages of setting up my company and I still refer to the notes and guidance my mentor provided today!”

How did it impact your career?

“The guidance from my mentor really helped me in the launch and scaling of my business - from day one right through to hiring my first employees. I was able to be honest and open about my experiences and challenges and hear a totally different perspective grounded in MBA and business knowledge. My mentor helped me to make tough decisions for the business and ask the right questions for future planning - when there was no one else I could really go to. It instilled confidence in me in some areas where I lacked experience and confidence too.”

Do you have any advice for those considering joining as a mentee?

“Do it! What have you got to lose? You have so much to gain from taking the time to learn from those who have gone before you. To add this experience to all you’ve just undertaken with the MBA is a perfect match, and helps to bring the theory into practice with someone experienced to lean on. It’s also a great way to grow your network as an alum and to learn from others. Go for it!”

The WBS Global Mentoring Programme

Exclusively for WBS alumni and students, the WBS Global Mentoring Programme matches alumni and students based on career goals and motivations, building meaningful mentoring relationships across industries and borders.

Find out more about the Global Mentoring Programme here or email us at alumnimentoring@wbs.ac.uk