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How can I find a mentor?

Veteran

Shimon Starfury Corona, CA

Hi, everyone.

My name is Shimon Starfury and I recently graduated from the famous EBV UCLA program where I received my Certificate in Entrepreneurship on 19th July, 2016. During the program, some veterans recommended this organization for seeking mentors.

How can I find a mentor to assist me in growing my business?

Shimon

21 July 2016 4 replies Mentoring

Answers

Advisor

Carol Lindberg San Diego, CA

Mentorship is an important process for entrepreneurs, because they provide advice, constructive criticism and improve skills you lack from experience. The journey from novice entrepreneurs to expert is full of pitfalls and mistakes, but a mentor can help you navigate unknown waters. Mentorship is one of the most effective ways for entrepreneurs to understand their industry. Here are three tips to finding the perfect entrepreneur mentor.

1. Decide on mentor qualities
It is important to know ahead of time what you want in a mentor, because they are not all the same. You need to find a mentor compatible with you and your start-up, so find someone who is in the position you want to be. Decide what skills you need improvement in so, you can find a mentor more experienced in that area. A mentor should be someone who challenges you, is a good listener, provides constructive feedback, is invested in your success, respects and supports you. There aren’t any guidelines to mentorship, so decide the role you want your mentor to play in your career before choosing. Mentorships are relationships that are formulated over mutual trust and respect and will evolve over time depending on your needs. Mentorship is not one-sided, so look at what you can offer your mentor in return.

2. Conduct a search
Your mentor could be an entrepreneur you already know or it could be someone you haven’t met yet. In order to find person interested in investing time to be your mentor create a list of possible options. This list will include successful business owners you know that have more experience than you and entrepreneurs that you only know by recognition. To find additional options search meetup.com and look for networking events in your area. Networking allows you meet me a variety of people in your industry who could become vendors, partners or mentors to you. You can also look at online networking sources such as LinkedIn for potential business mentors. You could get introduced to possible mentors by connections you have already made.

Resource reviewing how to use performance metrics to find your mentor: http://online.rutgers.edu/resources/infographics/using-performance-measurement-to-improve-nonprofit-decision-making/?program=mpa

3. Meet prospective mentors
Once you have narrowed down your list of potential mentors, set up meetings with them individually in a comfortable place where you can speak confidentially. During your meeting, make sure to list all your expectations, goals and time commitments involved in the mentorship. Entrepreneurs get multiple offers to be mentors to people, so make yourself stand out by providing value to your mentor. If you notice their website is look a little rundown, write a couple of blog posts you know they will like and show it to them at the meeting. This value you are adding to the meeting can stand you apart from other mentorship offers and help you get the mentor that best fits your needs.

Each of these Nobel Prize Winners had great mentors behind their success:
http://onlinenursing.regiscollege.edu/resources/mha/articles/10-nobel-prize-winners-who-have-made-an-impact-on-healthcare/

In a 2014 survey, 70 percent of small businesses that receive mentoring survive more than five years which is double the survival rate of non-mentored businesses. Finding a mentor is an essential part of your personal and business growth, so make a list of qualities you want to see and choose wisely.

Advisor

Kristin Garcia Norman, OK

Hi Shimon, I'm excited to know what you'd like to do next with a focus on entrepreneurship. I'd be happy to connect with you if you have a desire to work in Silicon Valley or in tech startups.

Advisor

Ned Schoenfeld Valley Stream, NY

Hi Shimon,
Happy to help. You can email me at: ned AT covehill DOT com or you can find me on linkedin.

Advisor

Deb Miller Bardstown, KY

Shimon, thank you for your service. If you have a linkedIn account, feel free to link with me. I would be honored to help out in this way if you like.

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