1. What is Kwekence?

Kwekence is an online platform that connects users seeking mentorship with mentors in their field or area of interest. Whether you need a mentor to help you academically, professionally, or personally - the mentors on Kwekence are here to satisfy your mentorship needs.

The word Kwekence is derived from the Dutch word Kweken which means “to cultivate.” We call our platform Kwekence because we believe true mentorship, at its essence, is all about cultivating people into a better version of themselves. At Kwekence, our goal is to connect you with the mentor you always wanted.

2. How does Kwekence work?

Kwekence works by allowing users to browse through a listing of mentors, view their profiles, reviews, and mentorship session description. Users can then select a mentor, communicate directly with them and book a mentorship session. Most mentorship sessions are convened remotely, but some are hosted in person or as a hybrid between the two.

3. How do I get started on Kwekence?

To get started, simply create an account on our platform. Once registered, you can start contacting mentors and booking appointments. If you’re a Mentor, you can get started by simply creating an account and listing your very own mentorship opportunity under your name or the name of your business.

4. How do I find a specific service on Kwekence ?

You can use our search and filtering options to narrow down your search. Simply enter the service you're looking for, set any specific filters like location, price range or subject and browse through the results.

5. How are mentors vetted on Kwekence?

All mentors are screened to ensure that their experience in the field is consistent with their proposed mentorship listing. We review all mentorship listings before they are posted to the Platform. Mentorship listings are reviewed to assess their compliance with Platform content restrictions and category fit. Prior to the approval of any mentorship listing, mentors must pass a user identification verification process. Based on the results of that verification process, the mentor might be required to provide additional information to verify their identity, credentials, and or fitness to serve as a mentor on the Platform. As an additional feature of our verification process, we employ a robust double blind review process. The review process serves the Kwekence community by providing clients their own opportunity to assess mentor qualifications and competence.

Please note that while mentors are encouraged, upon client request, to provide clients with an updated copy of their criminal background check - mentors are not required to undergo a criminal background check before posting a mentorship listing. Therefore, users are encouraged to exercise caution before scheduling sessions with mentors they do not know or who lack an established reputation in their field. Both mentees and mentors should do their due diligence to verify each other’s background, references and reviews. In addition, when meeting for an in-person mentorship session, users should see to it that all meeting sessions are scheduled in a public place.

6. How do I communicate with a Mentor about a session?

Once you've signed in and created a user account, you can communicate with mentors directly through our secure messaging system. This ensures that all conversations are kept within the platform for your safety and convenience.

7. What payment methods are accepted on Kwekence?

We accept a variety of payment methods, including major credit and debit cards. Additionally, we offer secure payment processing through our trusted third-party partner, Stripe.

8. I’m a mentor. How do I set up a meeting link for my remote mentoring session?

There are at least two ways to conduct mentoring sessions with clients. The two most popular modalities are Zoom and Google Meet. To set up an account for either one, please see below.

a. Setting Up a Zoom Account:

• Visit Zoom’s website at the following URL for further instructions on how to set-up an account:
  https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0061316

• Share your meeting link with your clients through the Kwekence messaging system or place the link in the designated section of your listing.

b. Setting Up a Google Meet Account:

• Visit Google's website at the following URL for further instructions on how to set-up an account: https://support.google.com/meet/answer/9302870?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop

• Share the meeting link with your clients through the Kwekence messaging system or place the link in the designated section of your listing.

Remember to let your clients know which platform you'll be using and provide them with the relevant meeting link. Additionally, ensure you're familiar with the features and settings of your chosen virtual meeting platform in order to guarantee a smooth mentorship session.

9. I’m a mentee looking to obtain mentorship services, how does pricing work for me?

Each mentor sets their own session price per hour, which you can find within their listing. For mentees, the advertised price of the mentorship session does not include the Platform Service Fee which is 10% of the listing price.

10. I’m a mentor interested in offering my services, how does pricing work for me?

Each mentor sets their own session price per hour, which all users will be able to find within your listing. Mentors are charged a 10% commission fee for each transaction made on the Platform.

11. I want to be mentored by someone, but I’m unsure about paying a fee before getting the service. How does Kwekence address this?

After your payment has been made, you'll be directed to a confirmation page that list your payment details. The payment you make upon booking serves as a preauthorization and a temporary hold for that amount is placed on your account until your mentor approves the request for the mentorship session. Once the mentor approves the request, the preauthorized amount is then charged and the booking is confirmed. Once the mentor approves the request and the booking is confirmed, the payment is processed and deducted from your card, and the funds are temporarily held by Stripe until the mentorship booking period has ended. Upon the completion of a mentorship session payment funds are then transferred to the mentor for services rendered. This process helps build trust between clients and mentors by ensuring that payment is only made for completed services.

12. I want to mentor, but I don’t want to charge a fee. Can I do that?

Thank you for your interest in mentoring and your generosity. Unfortunately, our payments processing system is unable to support free mentorship sessions at this time. However, mentors are currently able to charge a fee of as low as $25.00 per hour for their mentorship services.

13. As a mentor, how will I be paid and what are my tax responsibilities?

Kwekence provides a marketplace service through which Service Providers are able to provide Mentorship Services in a range of subject areas and Clients are able to search, find and purchase Mentorship Services from Service Providers on demand. Service Providers work for the Clients who request and pay for their services. Service Providers are paid by the client for the services they provide and both parties are free to form their own service agreements outlining the scope of the mentorship services requested as long as those agreements do not contradict the Terms of Service of the Platform or affix additional fees other than the hourly rate posted and advertised on the Platform. As a marketplace platform for mentorship services, Kwekence facilitates, using Stripe, the transaction of payments between parties. However, Service Providers are responsible for ensuring that they submit accurate billing information and are in compliance with all ethical considerations and applicable licensing, tax, and insurance regulations when offering mentorship services.

Annually, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mandates Stripe to furnish a 1099-K form for every Stripe account that fulfills the following conditions in the prior calendar year:

• Account is based in the United States (owners do not need to be US citizens) or the non-US account is for a US taxpayer AND $20,000 USD and 200 transactions for the calendar year

OR

If the filing requirements for your state differ from federal requirements.

Kwekence partners with Stripe to ensure that all mentors receive 1099-Ks when the above conditions are met.

14. What happens if I'm not satisfied with the service I received?

If you're not satisfied with the service you received, please contact your mentor as soon as possible. In the event, you and the mentor are unable to resolve the matter, please contact our support team as soon as possible. We have a resolution process in place to address any issues and ensure you have a positive experience.

15. I’m a client, how do cancellations and refunds work?

In short, clients are entitled to a full refund if they cancel at least 24 hours before their session starts. The client is also entitled to a refund if the mentor grossly misrepresents the session to the extent that they fail to provide the service agreed to or for any of the other reasons identified in our refund policy. Mentors are entitled to a fifteen minute grace period, however if they are a "no show" the client is entitled to a full refund as long as they report the issue to us within 24 hours. For more information about the Platform’s cancellation and refund policy, see the Terms of Service or Refund and Cancellation Policy .

16. I’m a mentor, how do cancellations work?

As a Service Provider, you have the right to cancel a session for various reasons, including, but not limited to, unexpected events, client breaking the Platform rules, unrealistic expectations, safety concerns, disasters, or technical problems. You should make every effort possible to let clients know about cancellations in advance. If you cancel a session or are unable to complete a session and the cause is not the client, the client is entitled to a full refund. However, as an alternative to a full refund, clients and service providers are free to arrange an alternate time for a substitute session in the event the original session is unable to be completed. The client should be given 15 minutes of grace time to show up for a session. If they're late, that time is lost and they are not entitled to a refund or makeup session. For more information about the Platform’s cancellation and refund policy, see the Terms of Service or Refund and Cancellation Policy .

17.How are refunds reviewed and processed?

Outside of time sensitive issues like no-shows, the client and mentor should generally attempt to resolve all matters pertaining to mentorship session issues that arise themselves. If a resolution cannot be arrived at, the client may contact us at Customer Service. The Platform reserves the right to resolve the matter unilaterally and its decision is binding. Refunds are processed within 14 days of approval, using the same payment method. In all cases, Clients must request a refund within 24 hours of the qualifying event.

18. What doesn't qualify for a refund?

Mentorship is, in many ways, a customized service and the quality of a session is oftentimes subjective. In that regard, clients are not entitled to a refund if they didn't like their mentor or were dissatisfied with their mentorship session. The best way to express your dissatisfaction with mentors performance or session quality is by writing a review.

19. How do I leave a review for my mentor?

After your session, you will have the opportunity to leave a review for your mentor. Please make sure that you do so because your feedback is important and helps maintain a high standard of quality for the mentors on our Platform.

20. What Data does Kwekence have access to?

In short, the only data we have access to is what you voluntarily provide us. For instance, we have access to information you voluntarily submit in order to publicly post your mentorship listing. We do not store or have access to your passwords, credit/debit card numbers or any other sensitive financial information. Moreover, we do not sell or share your data to third parties for monetary consideration or benefit. You can learn more about how we handle your data in our Privacy Policy.

21. Can I become a mentor on Kwekence ?

Absolutely! If you're interested in offering your services on Kwekence, you can start by signing in and creating a user account using your full legal name. Once you’ve created an account, complete your profile by including a professional photograph of yourself and any relevant background information. Once you’ve completed your profile, post your mentorship listing. Be sure that you include a detailed description of your listing and answer all relevant questions.

22. How do I delete my account ?

Deleting your account is easy. Deleting your account will permanently delete all personal information you’ve provided and will also delete, to the extent permitted by law, any financial information associated with your Stripe Account. Your account can be deleted at any time so long as there is no pending transaction or positive balance associated with it. To request the deletion of your account, simply email us at support@kwekence.com.

23. How can I contact customer support if I have a question or issue?

You can reach our customer support team through the "Contact Us" section on our website, or by sending an email to support@kwekence.com. We're here to assist you!