As children, they were our parents, teachers, older siblings or coaches: Wiser, more experienced people who guided us through such mysteries as long division, baseball and the science of baking cakes.
As grown ups, we have moved on to more difficult tasks. In many cases, we’ve become the teachers. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still benefit from the knowledge and help of someone more experienced than us. This is especially true for the start-up small-business owner making his or her way, often alone, through the challenges of a new venture.
A mentor is what is needed.
Fortunately, they’re not so hard to find. If you’re a woman, look into the Small Business Administration’s Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET). WNET, run from the SBA’s Office of Women's Business Ownership, matches successful entrepreneurial women with women business owners who are just starting out.
I took this route when I was first starting out. I chose my mentor from a list of many, picking someone whose experience most matched my needs. There was a kick-off luncheon when all the mentors and protégés got together.
In this program, mentor and protégé commit to one year together. In our case, we first met weekly, then monthly. My mentor not only gave me invaluable advice, but she provided me with a different perspective on matters. When you’re working alone or in a small business, it’s essential to have people to bounce ideas off of.
With a mentor, you’ve got a sounding board. Your mentor will also help you maintain focus and because he or she has no vested interest in your business, will give you objective feedback.
And you never know, your mentor may provide you with new clients -- mine did.
If you don’t qualify for the WNET program, look for mentors through professional organizations and associations which you belong to. Some may already have mentoring programs. If yours doesn’t, ask about starting one. Identify key players in the organization and approach them about becoming mentors. Obtain autobiographical information from them and take applications from potential protégés. Another option is to simply contact leaders in your industry and ask whether they would be willing to serve as your mentor. Many may be busy, so you may have to pay them a consultation fee.
But the mentor-protégé relationship can go both ways. My mentor became so interested in my business that she decided to change careers. In that case, we switched roles and I was able to help her get started.
Over time, as the relationship with your mentor grows and develops, the balance of knowledge will begin to even out. Then, both of you will contribute more or less equally to the other’s professional development.
Small-business ownership doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavor. Not when there are so many people out there who are willing to share their knowledge in return for the satisfaction of having helped someone just starting out.
