Business Mentor NY – a program of Empire State Development

Program Update

Mentees and Mentors,

We appreciate your interest in mentorship. Please be advised that after March 31, 2024, the Business Mentor NY Program will cease to operate. However, you can continue to access mentoring services by contacting Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers in your area at esd.ny.gov/eac-directory to obtain one-on-one counseling with your current business idea or small business.

If you would like to continue offering pro bono mentoring services to entrepreneurs or small business owners, please email us at nylovessmbiz@esd.ny.gov with your core business skills, experience or education and your preferred service area.

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My full assessment

Set up and Planning

  • Interviewed potential customers
  • Not at all confident
  • Not at all confident

Market Research

  • Not confident
  • Confident
  • Confident
  • Not confident
  • Not at all confident

Finances

  • Not at all confident
  • Not at all confident
  • Not at all confident
  • Not at all confident

Sales

  • Not confident
  • Confident
  • Confident

Operations

  • Neutral
  • Not at all confident
  • Very Confident
  • Not confident
  • Not confident
  • Not confident
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DL
  BMNY

Donika Lumani Entrepreneur

Location Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
Venture Industry Nonprofit/Social Enterprise
Languages spoken
  • English
Recent Activity

What I need help with

My background as an entrepreneur

My current challenges

I am struggling to meet the expectations of my board. My organization was founded in 2016. We distribute emergency relief funds to those in need in the NY metro area. This is a new role for me and I am looking for a mentor that can assist and support me in my role so that I can continue to help the different populations in our community that are facing so many different challenges. I have never had to work with board members before. Now, they are my bosses and I have to answer to them daily. I am not sure what I need to do to meet their expectations and it makes me feel like I am not a good fit for this role. I feel like I should resign and cut my losses now, despite others telling me that I am great fit for this role.

Actions I’ve taken so far

We finished a campaign of distributing grants to our applicants. I changed the phone system we were using previously that was not working for us. We found a case management software we would like to start using to keep track of our clients. Due to scheduling conflicts around the holidays, we will hold off on beginning our subscription until January. We have also done a few different meetings with different organizations to talk about what our organization does. Our organization also began distributing hot meals in Washington Square Park to the homeless with our partner the Islamic Center of NYU.

My future goals

My goal is to improve in my leadership skills, communication skills, managing a project, and working with my board members. Previously, I worked with ACS through a non-profit organization, providing preventive services in the 5 boroughs. I worked there for over 4 years and I gained a lot of experience by conducting tasks for goals that were set for my team by my leadership team at my organization. Now that I have this new role at a non-profit start, I am expected to fulfill all of these roles and I suddenly feel like I don't what I am doing. I would like to help my organization grow in the amount of clients we serve in the NYC metro area. We would like to be able serve more communities in NY that are struggling to pay their rent, utilities, and sustain their basic needs. I would like to increase our network and donors so that we never have to close applications. and we are able to help people year round.

My motivations to work with a mentor

I am looking to work with a mentor who can teach me more about this role. Someone who has the experience, knowledge, and would like to pay it forward after having been through it themselves. Once I learn how to do something, it sticks with me. I just need to find someone who has the time and patience to teach me. Our organization is having a big impact in the community. I hope that I can help it grow with the right mentor by my side.


About my venture

Zakat Fund of NYC Started 2023

The Zakat Fund of NYC was established in 2016 to annually collect and distribute Zakat (alms) in NYC. We connect with the underserved members of the community to provide financial assistance and referrals for individuals and families struggling to pay their rent and utilities, or for anyone that has experienced incidents of domestic violence. In addition, Zakat Fund of NYC seeks to help those who are facing food and shelter insecurities. In the longer term, we support them to gain access to the resources required to achieve sustainable economic independence.

The Zakat Fund of NYC Executive Director, Donika Lumani, is interested in collaborating with leaders of mosques and community-based organizations in the NYC Metro area that have first point-of-contact with these populations. Through these collaborations, we hope to share what services our organization has to offer to those in need. We hope to offer support to the best of our abilities when applications open for submission in the near future.

Countries of operation: United States of America