What our Mentorship Circles are for
These circles are small group sessions where creators can ask real questions, test ideas and get guidance from people who understand the pressure of building work that must hold up in the market. Instead of a once-off talk, the format gives you repeated contact, so you can come back with updates, refine your plans and measure what changed between sessions.
The focus is practical. That can mean shaping a stronger portfolio, improving how you speak about your work, checking whether your pricing makes sense, or working through the next step after a showcase. The groups are kept deliberately small so every participant gets space to speak and no one is left sitting quietly at the back.
- For creators who need accountability and direction
- For makers who want feedback from people outside their own circle
- For small teams that need support on pricing, positioning and next steps
Group sizes, session formats and what you get
We keep the sizes manageable so the conversation stays useful. A standard circle usually has 6 to 10 participants, with one lead mentor and support from the programme team where needed. For focused topics, such as pricing, product photos or market readiness, we may run smaller groups of 4 to 6 so each person gets more direct input.
Sessions can run as in-person meetups in Braamfontein or at chapter venues, or as online calls for members joining from other provinces and neighbouring countries. Some circles are structured as a short series over several weeks, while others are one-off sessions with follow-up notes and action points. That mix helps people who are balancing client work, studies or a busy studio schedule.
- Small-group format for active participation
- In-person or online session options
- Follow-up notes with clear action steps
- Suitable for individuals or small creative teams
Where these circles work best
Mentorship Circles suit creators who are already making work and need guidance on how to move from trying things out to building something that can hold in public. They are especially useful after a showcase, during a product launch, when preparing for a market, or when you need to decide whether your offer is ready for broader distribution.
They also work well for members who are spread across different cities and want a shared point of contact. We see strong participation from Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Nairobi and online sessions, with Braamfontein often acting as the main meeting point for the Johannesburg side. If your work depends on collaboration, it helps to be in a room where other people are also looking for partners, suppliers and honest direction.
- Best for early stage and growing creators
- Useful before a showcase, launch or pitch meeting
- Good for members across South Africa and the continent
Setup needs, power and venue requirements
These sessions do not need special installation, gas or heavy equipment. A quiet meeting room, chairs in a circle or around a table, reliable lighting and a stable internet connection for hybrid sessions are usually enough. If the meeting is online, a laptop, camera and good audio setup will help, especially when participants are joining from different cities and time zones.
For in-person sessions, the venue should allow for basic movement, note taking and small group discussion. In Johannesburg, load-shedding is always worth planning for, so a backup power option or a venue with power support is advisable. If the session includes printing, mood boards or product samples, check that the space has enough tables and safe storage for bags, boxes and materials.
- No gas connection required
- Power backup helpful for hybrid and evening sessions
- Stable internet needed for online participation
- Enough seating and table space for notes and samples
Care, servicing and how we keep the groups useful
Because Mentorship Circles are people-led, the care is about process rather than maintenance. Sessions work best when participants arrive prepared, bring current work or questions, and commit to the steps agreed in the previous meeting. The programme team keeps the flow moving, tracks attendance and helps make sure feedback is clear, balanced and relevant to the group.
We also review the shape of each circle as it goes along. If a group needs more support on presentation, more time on pricing, or a stronger link to collaboration opportunities, the format can be adjusted. That is part of what keeps the sessions practical instead of repetitive. A circle that is working well should feel focused, direct and useful without becoming rigid.
- Bring work, questions and current goals to each session
- Keep notes so progress can be tracked between meetings
- Programme support can adjust the focus if needs change
What to check before booking your place
Before joining a circle, check the topic, the session length and whether it is aimed at individuals, small teams or a mixed group. It is also worth confirming the expected level of experience, since some circles are best for newer creators while others are better for people already trading or preparing for market entry. If the session is online, make sure your connection and device are ready well before the start time.
Ask what kind of follow-up is included, whether there will be a mentor, facilitator or guest practitioner, and whether the session links to any showcase, partnership or portfolio support. If you are joining from outside Johannesburg, confirm the time zone and any local access details for your chapter or online link. A few simple checks save a lot of back and forth later on, especially when you are balancing other work.
- Check the topic and expected experience level
- Confirm whether the group is in-person, hybrid or online
- Ask what follow-up support is included
- Make sure your device, notes and samples are ready
Key facts
| Format | Small guided group sessions |
|---|---|
| Typical group size | 6 to 10 participants, with smaller 4 to 6 groups for focused topics |
| Session types | In-person, hybrid and online |
| Main focus | Feedback, pricing, market readiness, collaboration and next steps |
| Power/gas needs | No gas required; power backup and internet recommended for hybrid sessions |
| Coverage | Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Nairobi and online |
