For entrepreneurs–and, really, for professionals of all kinds–having a mentor is extremely beneficial to your success.
But many people simply don’t understand the benefits of mentorship, let alone how to find one.
In this article, we’ll talk about why a mentor will make you a more successful entrepreneur as well as a few ideas for how to find one.
Why a Mentor Will Make You a Better Entrepreneur
When you work for yourself, you get a whole ton of freedom and flexibility. But you also make a few sacrifices, too. And often, one of the biggest sacrifices you make is having someone to learn from and consult with.
A mentor can provide you with…
Access to expertise
The best mentors will be experienced professionals who have navigated the professional world, ideally in a similar field to your own. They’ll be able to share their knowledge and expertise with you so you can implement it into your business.
An outside perspective
As an entrepreneur, it can be challenging not having someone to consult with on big decisions or challenges. Having a mentor presents the opportunity to consult with someone and get an outside perspective in these instances, which can often be incredibly important.
Inroads with new connections
Along with their years of experience, great mentors will also have a long list of contacts who they can put you in touch with. It’s best not to expect them to do so, but if they feel it’s deserved, there’s a good chance they might.
Valuable and unbiased guidance
Mentors aren’t just incredibly valuable for advice. Many act as coaches, becoming invested in your business and your success. This means they not only answer questions but also provide meaningful guidance to help you get where you’re trying to go.
Accountability and encouragement
The freedom of entrepreneurship also means a lack of accountability from time to time. Having a mentor means having someone who can help keep you accountable and encourage you when you’re struggling.
It’s clear that having a mentor is a great thing, but we know what you’re thinking: this all feels like a big ask. So, how can you actually go about finding a mentor?
7 Ways to Find a Mentor to Work With
The concept of mentorship is incredible. But actually finding someone? That can be a bit trickier. The key is to know where to look.
Talk to Business Leaders You Admire
According to Richard Branson, one of the best ways to find a mentor is to consider the business leaders you most admire and reach out to them. Let them know you’d like to learn from them and ask if they’d spare a few minutes to let you pick their brain.
Join Local Networking Events
These events are designed to connect you to other business professionals. Look for conferences or networking events for both your specific industry and small businesses in general, and try to speak to as many people as you can,.
SCORE
Partnering with the U.S. Small Business Association, SCORE is a nonprofit that helps
connect small businesses with volunteer mentors of both active and retired executives and entrepreneurs across 62 industries. There are 300 chapters across the country, so you can connect with a local mentor to meet in person, or you can set up video or email relationships.
Connect with Small Business Development Centers
Small Business Development Centers provide assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses by way of training sessions and free business consulting. Host networks for SBDCs are located all across the U.S. and its territories.
Look on Social Media
Social media like LinkedIn and even Instagram make for great ways to find mentors. Follow people, engage with them and their content, and reach out respectfully to show interest in learning from them.
Book a Meeting on 10,000 Coffees
This platform was created for the sole purpose of local mentorship and networking. It streamlines the natural cycle of mentorship by letting you list your profile and browse a database of professionals who are open to networking or mentoring the next generation. You can reach out to people who are interested in being mentors and connect with them for a cup of coffee (or tea or whatever it may be!) to talk about careers.
Connect with Your Network
While you can consider seeking a mentor from outside of your network, it’s also smart to think about people you already know. This makes the search easier as you’ve already got an existing connection with them.
3 Pro Tips for Approaching a Mentor
The truth is that finding a mentor is a big ask. Mentorship is a big commitment. And it’s not always easy to start that conversation with someone. But finding a mentor comes down to taking the right approach.
Understand What You’re Asking For
Before connecting with a mentor, it’s important to understand what goals you’re hoping to achieve. This way, you can be realistic about what the relationship might entail.
Figure Out How the Relationship Will Work
It’s important to remember that having a mentor doesn’t mean unlimited access to them. They’re busy too, and they’re doing you a favor. So, establish how the relationship will work, including how much time they’re willing to offer you as well as the best ways and times to connect with them.
Approach with Gratitude
Always be grateful to your mentor. This can be as simple as paying for coffee or lunch or proactively thanking them for their time. Don’t bombard them with emails, calls, or texts, and always be respectful of their time and space.
Working places like flexible offices also provide incredible opportunities for networking and mentorship.
As an entrepreneur, having a mentor to guide and coach you can be a game-changer. And there are tons of people who are willing to help out. All you need to do is know where to look and how to approach people in the right way.
If you’d like to learn more about our professional community here at The Post, get in touch with us today. Our team is available to speak with you.