Finding a Mentor

Whether you are an established business owner or a new
entrepreneur, it is important to have a business
mentor. However, the term "business mentor" has
different interpretations to many people.

by Vicki Gerson

NFIB.org

To some, it means a casual relationship. Perhaps
someone gives you a bit of advice at a Chamber of
Commerce meeting about marketing your product or
service. Maybe you meet a seasoned business owner for
breakfast to talk about sales. Even though these types
of meetings are helpful, these individuals are not true
business mentors.

A mentor relationship is much deeper — it is personal
and long-term. There is consistent and regular contact
between the two of you. A mentor can serve as a
sounding board, an adviser or a coach, helping you
enhance your skills and clarify your business
objectives. Over time, a mentor becomes your friend. In
order to have a mentor who is effective, he or she must
truly care about you and in return, you must truly care
about your mentor.

Mentors don’t work with you to make money or to boost
their ego. They want you to succeed. In fact, they are
thrilled when you do. So the question is, how do you
find a mentor?

Some people are lucky. During their college years, they
connect with a professor who truly takes an interest in
them. This professor is willing to continue the
relationship long after the course has concluded. When
you meet a mentor at this stage of life, he or she will
critique your work, push you to work harder and praise
your accomplishments as you step into the business
world.

Many people aren’t as fortunate to find a mentor in
college and keep that relationship flourishing. In most
cases finding a mentor takes time, and it can be a
trial-and-error situation. The first thing you need to
do is network … and then do more networking. In
addition, attend seminars or conferences for
information that can benefit your business. Meet people
and consider possible mentors. Take the time to meet
these potential candidates a few times before asking
the question if he or she would be your mentor. Don’t
be upset if your first choice says no. Keep looking
until you find the right match.

A second way to find a mentor is to make a list of the
successful business people you admire in your
community. Once again make an effort to meet these
people over a meal and slowly start building a
relationship.

Don’t view your search for a mentor as a problem or
something that has to be accomplished in the next six
months. If you decide you want a mentor, it will happen
over time. Just be patient and look upon finding a
mentor as an achievable goal.

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