Finding a Mentor
· Print This ArticleHaving a mentor is one of the best ways to learn more about how to run a business. A business mentor can open doors, teach skills, and give valuable feedback. No doubt it is a good deal for you. But it is often equally, if not more, satisfying for the mentor as he or she can watch his or her experience make a difference. It is a chance to give back. Maybe you are asking yourself, “Hey Steve, that sounds great, but I don’t know of anyone who would or could mentor me. Where would I find one?” Good question. Here is a good answer I hope:
- Ask: Finding a mentor is often the result of simply having the chutzpah to ask someone whom you admire if she would be willing to mentor you. Or just ask around. Tell people
that you are looking for a mentor; you may be surprised at how willing people are to help. Speak with business associates, friends and relatives, other entrepreneurs, your place of worship, or even with online communities. - Pay: If you know someone who knows what you want to learn but who probably would be disinclined to be your mentor, for whatever reason, consider buying their time. Is it ideal? No, but it may still work. For instance, what about approaching that person and offering a fee for a few days of consultation and six months of telephone follow up? Explain that you think she could help you get your business of the ground, that you respect her time and are therefore willing to pay for it.
you may be surprised at how willing people are to help
Especially if you are not in a competing business, you may suddenly find yourself with the best mentor that money can buy.
- Click: There are many places online where you can find a mentor: SCORE, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), and SBDCs are a few.
What to Look for in a Mentor: You want someone whom you respect, who has something to teach you, and maybe who has some connections and people that you could meet.
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Speaking of mentors, I receently started doing business with soneone who can help me take my projects a long way… she is world ahead of me in this end of the business…
I had considered paying her for her time but I perfer to pay for results and i had considered just picking her brain for free
but it turns out, she can produce my product which gives her added incentive to look out for my best interest and stear me in the right direction… let’s hope it’s like that and not a shark just getting ready for a tasty snack eh?
I am thinking of starting a business but not sure if it will be for profit, non profit, or more of a charity. I have an extensive background of working with people of special needs, more specifically Developmental Disabilities. I absolutely love working in this field! What I want to do for my business is granting people of special needs vacations or maybe they need a certain item to assit in everyday life but can’t finance it (such as a wheelchair accessible van). What I’m thinking of is a lot like the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I’m only in the “thinking” stage right now…..
I would like some feedback to the type of business this could be. What are the pros/cons of profit verses non profit verses a charity?
Thank you so much for your time! Rochelle