You’ve made the first step – you’ve started your own business. That’s something to be immensely proud of because although many people feel that they want to do this, only a minority of them actually do.
However, just because you have started a business that doesn’t mean that it will automatically be a successful one, and it certainly doesn’t mean that the road ahead is going to be an easy one to follow. There will be plenty of challenges you need to face and being prepared for that is extremely important.
As with everything in life, facing challenges and problems (as well as successes) alone can be difficult, and a business mentor you can count on might be a great boon to your business. We look more closely into why this is, and why you might choose to search for one.
Experience
Perhaps the biggest benefit that a business mentor can bring to your startup is experience. Yes, it’s possible to read books and watch online tutorials about every aspect of running a business, but first-hand experience cannot be rivaled. A mentor who has been there and done it all before you will be able to guide you through the difficult patches and help you to stay grounded during the successful times. This means you will be able to avoid the pitfalls that otherwise could have damaged your reputation and your income.
Networking Opportunities
Even if you run your business alone and you have no plans to hire any employees, it is virtually impossible to actually do everything yourself. Do you know how to write a business plan? Do you know how to market to the right target audience? What about how to use professional programs such as CircuitStudio? Or is it finances and accounts that you don’t have the skills in that your business needs?
We all have strengths and weaknesses, and as a business owner, you just don’t have time to work on those weaknesses if you want to use your strengths to boost your business. This is why networking is essential, and why a mentor is useful. A mentor can introduce you to the right people, or take you to the right networking events, and help you to make contacts with people who will be able to add value to your business by utilizing skills they have they you don’t.
Reassurance
Some people start a business because they want to make money. Others do it because they want to be their own boss. Freedom from the prescriptive 9 to 5 is another reason. There are many reasons why people choose to start their own business, but something that they won’t have chosen is the worry and loneliness that this venture can bring. Even when you know exactly what you are doing, and you are following a great business plan, that doubt can easily creep in. A mentor can help to prevent that, or at least to lessen the anguish that you might be feeling when you wonder if you are doing the right thing. They will be able to reassure you that you are doing well, and this can often be all that is needed to keep going.