Salome Ayugi isn’t just supporting entrepreneurs; she’s igniting their dreams. As the Kenya Country Manager at Sinapis, she’s on the front lines of capacity building, providing entrepreneurs with the crucial tools, knowledge and networks they need to not just survive, but thrive. Beyond business training, she connects them with capital, a strong alumni network, and—most importantly—mentoring.
But as she worked closely with entrepreneurs, Salome noticed a gap. Many of them wanted more than just knowledge— they wanted guidance, a trusted partner to navigate the often-turbulent waters of building a business.
“Our students kept telling us they wished they had someone to learn from as they ran their businesses,” she shares. “We brought in guest speakers, but the conversations never went deep enough. We quickly realised that if we didn’t understand mentoring properly, we could be doing more harm than good.”
This realisation led Salome to The Human Edge’s Mentoring Skills and Practice (MSP) Course – a decision that would refine her approach to mentoring and enhance the support she provides to entrepreneurs.
Salome arrived at the programme with a clear goal: to truly understand the art and science of mentoring, especially within the dynamic world of entrepreneurship. “In the startup ecosystem, mentoring and coaching are often confused,” she says. “This programme helped me gain clarity on what mentoring really is and how to approach it effectively.”
Before the training, Salome had already mentored a cohort of female entrepreneurs—but she admits: “I wasn’t sure if I was passing on knowledge the right way, or structuring conversations in a truly meaningful way.”
The MSP course provided the framework she needed. She learned the crucial importance of building genuine rapport, structuring mentoring conversations for maximum impact and mastering practical tools like the GROW and OSCAR models. But the real game-changer was the mentoring toolkit packed with powerful, insightful questions. “Sometimes mentees come in overwhelmed,” Salome explains, “with five or ten business ideas swirling in their minds and no clear direction. Having a structured way to guide them – helping them set realistic goals, focus their energy, and gain clarity – was invaluable.”
Salome immediately put her new skills to the test with Compassion International, an organisation dedicated to supporting young entrepreneurs. The challenge was familiar: many of these aspiring business owners had a flurry of ideas but lacked the focus to bring them to fruition. Using the goal-setting and questioning techniques she had learned, Salome helped these young entrepreneurs crystallise their vision and identify the precise steps they needed to take to move forward.
“Before,” she reflects, “mentoring sessions could feel overwhelming – for both me and the mentees. But now, with the right frameworks in place, I can guide them in a way that feels natural, effective and empowering.”
Her learning extended far beyond direct mentoring. She saw immediate improvements in how mentors and mentees were paired at Sinapis. Using a data-driven approach, Salome and her team collected key information about each entrepreneur—such as their business stage, industry focus, and specific challenges—to better understand their needs. With this insight, they could match mentors and mentees more carefully, ensuring that each pairing was well-suited to support the unique journey of every entrepreneur.
One of Salome’s most profound realisations during the training was the vital importance of building rapport from the very start. Without trust, mentoring remains superficial, and mentees are hesitant to share their real challenges. Another shift in perspective came from recognising the power of slowing down. “I used to rush conversations,” she admits, “thinking, ‘Let’s move, let’s move!’ But during a live mentoring demo in the training, I saw firsthand how rushing can make mentees feel pressured and unheard. I learned that mentoring isn’t just about business; it’s about seeing the person behind the business and adding a human touch.”
These insights didn’t just improve her mentoring—they transformed how she leads her team at Sinapis. “People are so used to coming to me with problems and expecting answers. But now, I take a step back, listen more and learn from them. Active listening has changed the way I interact with my team and my board”.
At an organisational level, Sinapis has always supported entrepreneurs through training, but formal mentoring was a newer component that needed a more structured approach. Before the training, their mentoring efforts were still evolving. With a stronger understanding of mentoring, they have refined their approach, leading to significant results:
Beyond her work at Sinapis, Salome has realised that mentoring isn’t just for entrepreneurs—it’s something she can give back to her community as well. “We all have so much knowledge that we take for granted things that could help someone else if we just shared them.”
She is also determined to demystify mentoring, especially for entrepreneur support organisations (ESOs) that want to start or scale mentoring programmes. “Many organisations think mentoring is just a ‘quick touch-and-go’ experience. This course made me realise that real mentoring takes time and structure. It’s about the long game.”
Salome wholeheartedly recommends The Human Edge Mentor Training to anyone looking to build, run, or improve a mentoring programme. “There are so many misconceptions about mentoring and this course clears them up. It’s practical, hands-on and leaves you fully empowered to make a real difference”
Salome took part in the Mentoring Skills and Practice for Supporter of Entrepreneurs Course in September 2024. The programme involved 123 mentors from 16 countries across SSA and MENA. For more details on the Mentoring Skills and Practice Course, click here.
