Internet marketer Alex Mandossian and Linda M. Lopeke, co-founders of SMARTSTART Giving, offer new immigrants, new grads, and new hires a no-cost mentoring program option to celebrate micro-fundraising success.

Mississauga, ON (EMWNews) July 24, 2008 — With just 4 phone calls, master marketer Alex Mandossian and co-founding partner Linda M. Lopeke, creator of SMARTSTART Mentoring Programs, raised enough money to fund the business dreams of 154 entrepreneurs through Kiva.org. In the first quarter of operation, they created more than 10 times the average number of loans Kiva receives from a typical donor. To celebrate this achievement, Lopeke has set up a no-cost membership plan for opening the door to career and business success for all who wish to enter.

SmartStartGiving.com hosts regular micro-fundraising calls on the final Friday of every month at 8 a.m. Pacific, 11 a.m. Eastern. Each call features a top business or thought leader who has agreed to share their personal insights and experiences with listeners by donating their interview. No fees are charged to register for or join the calls and optional donations are limited to $10, $25 or $40. All funds raised are donated to Kiva.org.

In their first quarter of micro-fundraising, Mandossian and Lopeke met with Greg Link, President of CoveyLink, Penny Power, founder of Ecademy, fellow philanthropist, Dave Ellis, and famed management consultant, Jim White generating $5,382.00 – enough to finance the businesses of 154 entrepreneurs around the world through Kiva.org. Highlights of these interviews and free audio recordings of the calls are available at SmartStart Giving .

“We love helping entrepreneurs everywhere but want to help those in traditional careers too”, Lopeke says. “Coincidentally, SMARTSTART Career Success, our first virtual mentoring program (launched in 2005) is celebrating its first year online. So we’re going one better than Wal-Mart and rolling back the price of it all the way to zero until July 31, 2008. This gives new immigrants, new grads, and new hires an equal opportunity to learn how to advance career success up to 3 times faster than average in just 1.5 hours a month at no cost.”

New members are granted access to all previously published materials and can view a list of content covered in the Career Success Mentoring Program over the last year and get more details about all SMARTSTART Programs at SmartStart Coach. Lopeke, known around the world as the SMARTSTART Coach, continues, “The 21st century workplace is challenging for those just entering the workforce. Our award-winning mentoring program, delivered over the internet, saves many from making fatal career-killing mistakes.”

To join the program, register using the purchase link (before the deadline).; the price is automatically set to zero. On August 1, the fee for program membership rises to $468 per year. Until then, anyone interested in joining the career mentoring program can sign up free. “It’s one more way we can give to those working toward a better life” Lopeke adds.

About Alex Mandossian: Mandossian is a leading authority on leveraging the marketing power of the internet.

About Linda M. Lopeke: Lopeke is an internationally recognized business strategist, professional mentor and creator of the award-winning SmartStart Programs.

About SmartStart: “SmartStart Virtual Mentoring Programs teach martial arts for the mind” to people who want to be in the 3% of those who experience career, business and life success. Register for programs at http://www.SmartStartCoach.com. SmartStart Giving is an internet-based philanthropy program teaching people how to give less and help more. Register for upcoming events at http://www.SmartStartGiving.com .