Influence of Sales Exposure and Mentorship Quality on Start-Up Income of Student Entrepreneurs

This study examined the influence of sales exposure and mentorship quality on the start-up income of Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship students of Makilala Institute of Science and Technology. The study was anchored on Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory and Becker's Human Capital Theory and employed a quantitative-correlational design with a descriptive-predictive approach. A total of 150 BS Entrepreneurship students who had implemented their business plans and engaged in actual selling activities served as respondents. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire measuring sales exposure, mentorship quality, and start-up income. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were used to determine the levels of the variables, while multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify significant predictors of start-up income. Results revealed that the levels of sales exposure, mentorship quality, and start-up income were all high, indicating that these variables were often manifested among the student entrepreneurs. Sales exposure was evident through active participation in selling activities, satisfactory sales volume, and the application of basic market strategies. Mentorship quality was characterized by strong mentor support and availability, adequate knowledge and expertise, and moderate networking and linkage facilitation. Start-up income results showed positive income growth during the business implementation period, although reinvestment capacity and attainment of targeted income goals were relatively constrained. Regression analysis indicated that both sales exposure and mentorship quality significantly influenced start-up income. However, mentorship quality emerged as the stronger predictor of start-up income, explaining a substantial portion of the variance in students' income performance. The findings underscore the critical role of experiential selling activities and high-quality mentorship in enhancing the financial outcomes of student-led ventures. The study recommends strengthening off-campus sales exposure, institutionalizing structured mentorship programs, and enhancing mentors' capacity to facilitate external linkages to improve start-up income sustainability among entrepreneurship students.