Square Key Digital
Kristin Hartigan, Owner of Square Key Digital, decided to become a Mentor after an unexpected discovery.
While completing their Mentee profile for The Forum Mentor Program Presented by The Scotiabank Women Initiative®, they noticed an opportunity to serve as both a Mentee and Mentor. "I saw this as an exciting opportunity to dip my toes and give back while also receiving support," Kristin shares.
This dual role gave them a unique perspective and helped them tap into a rich ecosystem of support. As Kristin explains, "I’m at a much different part of my entrepreneurship journey than my Mentees are. I'm able to talk to my Mentor about what’s going on with my Mentees and receive guidance and feedback.
It's really solidified my sense of community and opened doors to new connections and an even deeper community than I ever imagined. It's kept me accountable for some less desirable items on my to-do list and has really broken down some walls that I've had for a long time as an entrepreneur."
The program and the community they found through it has also helped them combat the isolation that often comes with entrepreneurship. "For me, it's really become about not being alone. I'm not an island and I'm not the only one who is experiencing these common challenges of running a business.”
As someone with ADHD, Kristin found that mentoring has also helped them develop crucial skills. "[It enabled me to improve my] listening. As someone with ADHD, I'm always wanting to jump in, give advice, and tell everyone what to do to just fix all their problems. Being a Mentor has really allowed me to practice some skill sets that don't come as naturally to me."
Through this journey, Kristin’s also acquired a deeper understanding of what makes mentorship truly effective. "Learning to guide rather than lead has been the absolute best part of being a Mentor so far. It's been beyond rewarding [to not only watch] my Mentees grow, but grow because they’ve figured out solutions on their own."
As someone who's loved their experiences through The Forum’s mentorship programming, Kristin’s been quick to recommend it to those in their network. "I just love The Forum so very much and I tell every woman-identifying entrepreneur about it (even if they're not Canadian) because it's been such a game changer for me.”
Through Square Key Digital, an “un-agency” that helps its clients streamline their marketing and sales efforts, and their role as both Mentor and Mentee, Kristin shows the power that comes from embracing a comprehensive vantage point.