How to Find a Good Small Business Mentor

If you own a small business, you know that you don't want to make the same mistakes that others before you have. A small business mentor can help you with that. A mentor can help you avoid the pitfalls that they or other have encountered while starting their small businesses. However, finding a good small business mentor can be difficult. We have five tips to help the small business owner find the right mentor for them.

1. Know Thy Self and You Will Know Your Mentor

The first step in finding the right small business mentor is to start thinking about yourself. Ask yourself why you need a mentor and what do you hope to learn from a small business mentor? What type of person will inspire you as a mentor? Asking these questions should lead you to the right type of small business mentor.

2. Do You Need a Mentor?

You may want to look at why you think you need a mentor. If you have a particular problem that needs to be solved, you actually might need a consultant instead. If your small business is stuck and not going anywhere, maybe you need a professional coach instead of a mentor.

3. Start Small When Looking for a Mentor

Many mentors are found just by engaging people in small talk. Potential mentors are presented to you everyday; they just don't introduce themselves that way. Ask someone about what they are doing and how they got to where they are. Many times that is an indication of the type of person you may want as a small business mentor.

4. Ask What You Need In a Mentor

Be careful not to blurt out that you want this person to be your mentor, a sure way of getting people to scatter for the hills. Approach the person by stating that you would like to learn more about what they do and could you use them as a resource. Ask if you could meet for coffee once a month and discuss issues that they might be able to help with in your small business.

5. Don't Give Up To Easily In a Mentor

Just because you asked, does not mean that they will say yes to mentoring you and your small business. If the answer is no, keep searching and you will find someone. Many times someone who could mentor you cannot because of time commitments.