During their time with us, VFA Fellows are matched with mentors from a variety of industries and backgrounds who help them navigate challenges, build professional skills, and accelerate their careers as conscious entrepreneurs. This week, we’re introducing VFA Mentor Sherman Hu to share what his experience has been like as a mentor and give a glimpse into the advice he has for those launching their careers as entrepreneurs.
Name: Sherman Hu
Hometown: Silicon Valley
Current city: San Francisco & NYC
Current gig: Advisor to early stage companies
Side projects/passions: Mentoring enterprising Venture for America Fellows! Outside of VFA, I support founders of early stage companies by sharing my enterprise sales knowledge.
What made you decide to become a VFA Mentor?
During my tour of duty at LinkedIn (2005-2012), I was inspired by a company culture that values giving back and was fortunate enough to be influenced by some of the smartest and brightest entrepreneurs. After leaving LinkedIn, I knew that I enjoyed spending time with entrepreneurs, so I wanted to support a non-profit that aligned with my interests. By chance, I happened to see some young, smart Venture For America Fellows on CNBC — I was so impressed with the Fellows, their reason for joining, and the mission of VFA that I simply had to get involved immediately.
What do you enjoy most about mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs?
Having a front row seat to my mentee’s entrepreneurial journey. In particular, I enjoy having brainstorming sessions with Fellows in which I can offer advice about enterprise sales, operating in a startup and/or launching their own company. I also really enjoy our discussions about what they ultimately want to do with their lives.
What’s a tip you have on how to be a good mentor?
Make it a point to share your experiences with these incredibly passionate, young entrepreneurs. I find that each mentoring moment I have with a VFA Fellow leaves me smarter and more excited about the future.
What’s one book or blog you think every aspiring entrepreneur should read and why?
To hear a rotating group of founders, investors and experts share their unique stories, watch the This Week in Startups series. Get familiar with the host Jason Calacanis, a lifetime entrepreneur and investor who actively supports founders launching interesting companies with the latest technology.
In fact, Jason even mentioned Ash & Anvil in his newsletter, a VFA Fellow-founded company started by one of my mentees, Steven Mazur!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
From my Dad: “If you want to make it in America, find the thing you enjoy doing and be the very best at doing it.”
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a mentor?
Even if you’re not from one of the cities VFA places Fellows in, I encourage you to get involved with the next generation of young entrepreneurs. And if you do happen to be from a VFA city, this is an incredible opportunity to give back to the hometown that shaped you. Look into supporting VFA and please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to continue the conversation. Hope to hear from you!
If you or someone you know would be great at guiding a young, aspiring entrepreneur on their journey into the startup and business world, contact mentors@ventureforamerica.org to find out how to get involved.