When You Lack Business Mentors
July 13th, 2010 Filed under: Small Home Based Business — Small Home Business AuthorSuccess breeds success but if you’ve never been in business before how do you know where to start? The best way is to find someone willing to mentor you, someone who has already experienced success in their own business ventures and their ability to get business credit services. By having someone to turn to when making difficult business decisions you can avoid many of the pitfalls of a new business and even get some great guidance to become a success in your own right much sooner.
Where to Find Mentors
Women have a harder time finding mentors than men. Their social networks may not be as fully developed in business, and therefore it’s important that they actively seek out a business mentor from professional organizations. Men, on the other hand, may have developed a network through their company or affiliated organizations that has made it possible for them to contact someone willing to mentor them in the area of their interest. You can offer to intern with them or get a position in their company, and learn the ropes to good business practices on the job, so to speak. Either way, it’s important to have the idea of getting a mentor if this is your first time out in business, even if you have to pay one to do it.
One great place to find a mentor is SCORE. At Score.org, you will be put in contact with retired business professionals who can offer their advice for free. You will find they even have an online area where you can submit questions. Another great place to start finding business mentors is through your local Small Business Administration or Minority and Women-Based Enterprises (MWBE) state office. Many of these small business organizations host classes and workshops where you can actively start to network with others and make some great new partnerships of mutual benefit while learning how to become a better entrepreneur.
