10 Places to Find Mentors and Advisers for Entrepreneurs
There are several contenders for the “most important” factor to a business’s success, including the strength of the idea, the timing of the company, and cohesive force of your employees. But my money’s on experience — the industry and entrepreneurial experience of the person in charge and the cumulative experience of the team.
The trouble is, all entrepreneurs are inexperienced the first time they launch a business. There’s only one way to overcome this quickly, and that’s by engaging in a mentorship or adviser program, thereby drawing on someone else’s experience. If you’re insightful and humble, then you recognize the importance of asking for help and being open to external feedback. Mentors are the way to achieve this.
But how do you find mentors? There are dozens of ways, but these are 10 of my personal favorites:
1. Networking events. Networking events are designed to put people in contact with one another, making them perfect opportunities to expand your professional network. Try to talk to as many people as you can, and don’t be too forward with your goals; instead, wait for a potential partnership to make itself evident to you.
2. Entrepreneur “hot spots.” If you live in a city with a thriving startup scene, there are probably several entrepreneurial “hot spots” in the area — I use such an ambiguous term because they vary so wildly. For example, there might be a startup incubator with an open workspace where you can get some work done and meet some new people in the industry, or a weekly brainstorming meeting between creative minds at the downtown library. Keep your eyes peeled, and attend whatever you can.
3. LinkedIn and Twitter. I was tempted to put “social media” here, but Twitter and LinkedIn are the big players when it comes to connecting with professionals. Find potential candidates based on your industry and/or demographic area, and be sure to introduce yourself casually and unassumingly before asking for a more significant engagement.
4. Small Business Development Centers. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are independent organizations that provide resources, expertise, and advice to emerging entrepreneurs in major cities across the country. Drawing on SBA federal funds, state and local governments, and resources from the private sector, you should be able to find free consultation at an SBDC near you.
5. SCORE. SCORE is an organization dedicated to helping individuals start, run, and grow their own businesses. There are currently over 11,000 volunteers in the program with 320 chapters around the country — you can check for a chapter near you here. Through SCORE, you can request a free face-to-face meeting with a mentor to discuss your business idea — and you may be able to form a more lasting partnership.
6. Industry centers. Are there any industry expos coming up in your surrounding area? Any conferences or speaking events regarding your industry? If so, these are perfect places to find someone more experienced than you — and you can learn more about your industry during the search.
7. Indirect competitors. Obviously, your direct competitors will be reluctant to give you practical advice on how to succeed. Instead, seek out your indirect competitors, such as companies in the same industry targeting a different segment of the market, or companies across the country with no bearing on your local relationships. If these companies have been in business longer than you have, their leadership will have much wisdom to dispense.
8. Volunteering. Volunteering is a surprisingly good way to make new connections. You’ll meet all kinds of people, from college students to retirees, all of whom will be able to teach you something new. Plus, you’ll be giving back to the community in the meantime and possibly improving the reputation of your business in the process.
9. Friends and family. Have you asked around your circle of friends and family? Someone in your contacts list might know a cousin or former roommate who went on to become a successful entrepreneur. These types of connections are usually the easiest to build once discovered.
10. Anywhere. The truth is, if you’re open to new experiences and new contacts, you could potentially meet a mentor anywhere. Talk to strangers. Get to know your acquaintances. You never know who will lend you the next major insight or give you the next landmark introduction in your life.
There’s no “secret” when it comes to finding mentors — look in the places you’d be if you were a mentor, remain patient and open to new contacts, and eventually, you’ll meet someone who can help you take your business off the ground. Once in a mentorship, remain respectful of your mentor’s time and actively engaged — the more invested you are in the partnership, the more you stand to gain from it.
For more content like this, be sure to check out my podcast, The Entrepreneur Cast!
