The SellHers group at Toast is dedicated to helping women in sales achieve their personal and professional goals by providing growth opportunities, powerful networking, continuous learning, and a strong sense of community. A key ingredient in this mission is the SellHers Mentorship Program, which offers structured one-on-one support to foster development, build confidence, and expand opportunities.

Through quarterly pairings and flexible guidance, participants gain personalized insights, build meaningful relationships, and advance their careers. We caught up with two mentor-mentee pairs—Laura N. (Inside Sales Manager) with Samantha E. (Enterprise Business Development Representative), and Brittany D. (Head of Strategic Cuisines) with Carly J. (Senior Territory Account Executive)—to hear how they are building success, one relationship at a time. 

The Mentors’ Table: Paying it Forward

For the mentors, participation is all about paying success forward.

Laura N. was inspired by the "incredible mentors" she had throughout her career, and sees the program as her way of "supporting someone else on their journey."

Brittany D. views her past mentors—who were "more helpful than any development book"—as her "own personal board of advisors," and wanted to give back to the SellHer group in a similar capacity.

This dedication to mentorship isn't new. Brittany D. shared a powerful full-circle story, noting that a mentorship she had years ago with a senior leader helped her get better, provided candid feedback, and prepared her to take on a Director role. That existing relationship then made the transition much easier when she eventually began reporting to that same leader years later.

Sharing Frameworks, Not Just Advice

A core theme for our mentors is teaching mentees how to think, not just telling them what to do.

Brittany D. focuses on sharing frameworks, referencing the proverb of "giving a man a fish versus teaching a man to fish." "The framework and process is repeatable," she notes, which helps to "cut out some of the confusion on not knowing where to start."

Laura N. echoes this, explaining: "I see my role as helping build confidence in their own choices." For her, it’s about having "an open conversation versus giving instructions."

A Shared Success Story

• Laura N. shared that her proud moment has been working with her mentee to map out career goals in an intentional way, breaking down next steps and connecting her to the right people. "It's been awesome to see her build momentum and start making progress," Laura says. "She's doing the work—I'm just helping guide the path."
• Brittany D. was proud of her mentee, Carly J., for making her development a priority right away. Carly created a document of topics and carved out time to work on her goals outside of their sessions, understanding that these steps would ensure their time together was productive and focused.

The Mentees’ Journey: Always Hungry to Build and Learn

So, what brings the mentees to the table? For Carly J., it was finding an "accountable way to prioritize [her] growth" and gaining perspective by connecting with someone outside of her regular circle. Samantha E. was motivated to join by the opportunity to learn directly from successful women and to gain a more "nuanced understanding of the challenges and strategies unique to this field."

Insights That Spark Action

The sessions have resulted in powerful, actionable takeaways:

• Carly J. highlighted the value of carving out "intentional time to reflect on your goals and priorities," a seemingly simple idea that helps her take a step back and evaluate what she's ultimately working toward.
• Samantha E. noted that the most valuable lessons centered around "how to strategically navigate [her] career path" and the importance of advocating for herself in professional settings.

These insights directly translated to their daily work. Carly J. found she gained a stronger perspective and an "expanded connection to other Toasters," which opened doors to new insights. Samantha E. applied her learnings by creating a shadowing document to reflect on demos and by successfully advocating for herself to lead a discovery call independently—a meaningful milestone in her career.

Would They Recommend It? Absolutely.

Both mentees wholeheartedly recommend the program. Carly J. calls it a dedicated, safe environment to explore goals, challenges, and career trajectory. Samantha E. describes it as a unique and "invaluable opportunity to learn from accomplished leaders.” "There's something powerful about women supporting and learning from one another,” she added. “it fosters both personal and professional growth in a way that's truly empowering."

The SellHers Mentorship Program is a prime example of how Toasters live our value of “we’re hungry to build and learn.” By creating a space for women to connect, share frameworks, and challenge one another, this community is setting the bar high for career growth in sales.

Interested in joining a team that will help you reach your goals? See our Sales openings here!