What Business Mentors Never Tell You

As a small business owner, especially starting out, whether seeking help through the small business administration, a small business development center, soliciting a business professor or family members, or hiring an adviser, chances are you have heard a ton of advice from people both with and without experience in the field. How do you know whose advice to take, especially when the information is conflicting and messages are mixed? The simple answer is to always take everything with a grain (or bucket) of salt. This list is of things your mentors aren't telling you - and never will.

I May Be Wrong
Sure enough, everybody is wrong at some point. The problem here is that once you have taken even a small shred of advice, everything seems exponentially more logical and reasonable. And they think so, too. Many people find themselves granting larger favors after granting a small one initially - what is taking advice besides granting the favor of rubbing an ego in exchange for potential benefit?

Believe it or not, sometimes mentors can be wrong. Similar to how sometimes parents raise children poorly, sometimes mentors give horrible advice. There is little screening process for many mentor opportunities and many people - especially lawyers - find it easy to make things up, even when the appropriate answer is, "I don't know."

I Have Never Done This Before
Sometimes, mentors don't actually enjoy mentoring, similar to students getting degrees in education, only to find out they really hate being around children all day. As such, mentoring foundations are constantly looking for new recruits to guide the lesser folk like yourselves. This means you may very well be somebody's first time every time you seek mentoring.

In the same set, sometimes, you will be asking advice for something they have no clue about. Like before, they may be wrong, and perhaps, "I don't know," would be a better, more accurate response.

I Failed
One of the best ways of moving up in the world is to learn from a major mistake. Chances are, however, that you would never listen to the CEO of boo.com or similar, right? Failing is looked down upon, especially in the United States. Your mentor will likely never be up-front with you about past failures, unless you specifically ask (even then, there is a big chance they will lie or otherwise not share the whole truth). If you can learn from their mistakes, they are doing a good job, so be sure to share this fact with them rather than directly asking, "So how many times did you screw up?"

You Might Fail, Too
Mentors can sometimes fall into the trap of becoming cheerleaders. In this case, they won't tell you that your idea to target single mothers from Italy with lazy eyes to sell your steel wool pads is a horrible one. Rather, they will support your endeavors, passively try to sneak in advice that stings with silent criticism, and stand idly by. Demand an honest opinion and you may get one. If not, I encourage you to seek out a new guide.

I Lose Nothing
If you fail, what does your mentor lose? Nothing. Maybe if they have investments in your company, there may be an exception. Even if an ego takes a shot or two, you are probably a welcomed scapegoat in this scenario. They will still continue to mentor if they choose to. They have lost nothing.

Mentors are generally honest folks who want to guide you to success. Few out there will actually want to hurt you, so most of their advice will be genuine, even if it's also a little misguided or incorrect. Check facts, especially with laws, with a working lawyer. Get things in writing. Correct politely where applicable. Do this, and you will have a great and beneficial relationship with your mentor. Forget, however, and the going will be tough.