Mentorship has been a keystone to success for highly visible entrepreneurs such as Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Daymond John, AARP brand ambassador and star of Shark Tank. In a post on his LinkedIn blog, John notes that mentors don’t always have to be high-profile people with prominent business success. He says one of his mentors was a small-business owner in Hollis, Queens, New York, who introduced him “to the fundamentals of business, whether that be inventory or how to deal with customers.”
John also notes that just because you’re running your own business doesn’t mean that you have to do it all by yourself. Mentors can help. “I often think of myself as ‘self-made’ but that does not mean that there weren’t people that helped me along the way,” he says. “Don’t let your ego get in the way or think that you need to have all the answers. As long as the relationship is mutually beneficial, only good things can come from reaching out to others for help and guidance.”
To learn more, register for the April 21 webinar “A Conversation With Daymond John: Building Success Through Networking and Mentorship.”
Where to find a mentor
A common misconception is that mentors are hard to find and expensive for those with a small budget. The reality is that mentors are available for every stage of business growth. You may even need to change mentors along the journey as your business evolves.
There are resources to help you find mentors and advice. The Small Business Administration ensures that each state and territory has a Small Business Development Center, usually available through higher learning institutions and free of charge. SCORE is another resource for small-business owners seeking to connect with experienced entrepreneurs. Other resources include the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center, the Office of Veterans Business Development Center and the Women’s Business Development Center.
Networking can be an equally effective way of connecting with potential mentors. A comfortable and engaged conversation can be the first step toward building relationships with new mentors. However, a business owner must be a good mentee to build the most successful mentoring relationship.
To learn more, register for the April 28 Mentor Makers Networking Event.
Be a good mentee
What truly makes the mentor relationship thrive? According to John, every entrepreneur not only needs a mentor but also should learn how to be a good mentee. That means following your mentor’s advice and returning the value of your mentor’s time by sharing your relevant skills, opportunities or assistance.
A good mentee is coachable and humble in their ability to try different approaches and hone their skills through the mentor’s assistance. A…
Read More: How to Find a Mentor for Your Small Business