Being an entrepreneur is, by definition, a journey into the unknown. Each day will throw something new at you and it’s likely that no day will be the same as the next. Of course, this sounds like a terrifying idea. Why would anyone want to go through that alone? I’ll tell you a secret…no one does. The hurdles and challenges that come with being a business owner can be overwhelming but fear not, there is a way to make this all a little easier, or maybe just a little less hard.
Every seasoned business owner that has been successful has been exactly where you are when they first got started. they have been scared, overwhelmed, frustrated, elated and confused…just like you. They also have tons of knowledge and experiences that they would be happy to share with you if you ask.
Finding a meant is not only a great way to grow your network, learn more about your craft and about business but its also a great way to help assuage some of those fears and doubt you will have when getting started. So, if you are feeling a bit lost or if you would just like to stay under someone you look up to, here are a few tips on how to go about finding the right mentor for you.
Tip 1: Look to your own network first
So, when you start thinking about how to find a mentor via networking, think about building connections, rather than finding “the one.” Focus on expanding your network, and making connections with other people you can learn from. Most of the time, you won’t have to look very far for someone in your life that could give you some pointers on how to grow your business.
You most likely already have a relationship with that person so it will be easier to approach them about a possible mentorship. Don’t rule out someone if they aren’t in your exact field. There are tons you can learn from any business owner, regardless if they have the same kind of business as you do.
Tip 2: Use meetup groups to grow your network
so what if you want to find a mentor in your network but you don’t have a big enough network yet? Try going online to start growing and building those connections.
Sites like Meetup.com offers a way for anyone to start any kind of group in their city. Some people use meetup.com for their hobbies but a lot of people start networking groups, local business groups and some even hold mixers for those looking to find a mentor. Check it out and keep your mind open. Go in with the goal to build connections and relationships first and eventually you’ll come across someone that might be a good fit.
Tip 3: Use your alumni network, internship connections, or professors
If you went to college, community college or high school, check out that institutions website; they are likely to have an entrepreneurship center or mentorship program. If you’ve completed college, your alumni network may be worth looking into as well. They will more than likely already have a mentorship program set up, or if not, they could point you in the direction of who to contact. Even if you have no connection to your local university, reaching out to professors in your field may be valuable, either in your city or remotely.
Tip 4: Check out some Facebook groups or LinkedIn Groups in Your Niche
So maybe you’ve been to some networking events and you still don’t even know where to start. You know you would like a mentor but you just aren’t sure who that person might be. In this case, you can become a part of a LinkedIn group or Facebook group in your industry, and then look at the conversations going on within it. Who is posting the most useful content? Who is posing thought-provoking questions? Who seems willing to answer questions and help others out? If you asked a question on your group, who replied with the best answer? Use these conversations in the group as a starting point and send a quick message to see if they would be open to chatting.
Tip 5: Mentorship websites
If you are having trouble connecting with someone and would rather go straight to a place you know can be set up with a mentor, there are tons of great sites that can help you out. Check out some of these sites to see what will work best for you:
SCORE– an organization dedicated to helping individuals start, run and grow their own businesses.
MentorCity–is a web-based mentor-matching service providing mentors for entrepreneurs, students, and nonprofit organizations.
MicroMentor – a free, easy-to-use social network that allows entrepreneurs and mentors to connect so they can solve problems and build businesses together.
