shop and my customers don’t come back, it would be illogical
to choose a mentor who is not successful in the industry of ice
cream shops. “Mentors can be one of the most powerful weapons for an entrepreneur as they provide guidance, wisdom and
connections,” said Lourdes Martin-Rosa, American Express
OPEN adviser on government contracting and mentor for the
OPEN Mentorship Institute program. “Every entrepreneur
should have a mentor for obtaining the best answers to his or
her daily challenges during startup and management.”
A mentor in the same business area as
yours may be able to better understand
your business’s challenges and concerns.
However, successful mentoring doesn’t
necessarily have to occur within the same
industry. Doug White, career expert and
editor of career and management insights website TCG Blog stated “Look for
mentors who are authentic, empathetic,
creative and honest,” White told Business
News Daily. “You need someone who’s
caring and invested in your professional growth, but also
someone who will speak truth to you. Sometimes, you need
some constructive criticism or a reality check, while other
times, you need a high five or pat on the back. A well-chosen
mentor can provide all of those things.
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The Philantrepreneur Journal
Try to meet as many experienced professionals as you
can. Identify someone, and approach your potential mentor.
The initial meeting would be as an interview. You as the leader will explain what you hope to obtain from the individual
and why you value his or her insights and expertise. Don’t take
this phase lightly at all. You are developing the foundation of
a relationship that will hopefully last forever. It is equally important to discuss what you bring to this learning platform as
well. The same perception that you have of your mentor, create
an environment, that your mentor respects your area of expertise as well.
Explore your network of people. Who
do you admire and respect? Who has
already been a role model to you? Is
there someone who has already been
helpful to you on a smaller scale that
might be willing to formalize a more
in-depth relationship?
Lastly, after you have selected
your potential mentor, that shows interest in mentoring you
as well, propose a mentoring relationship. Be sure to spell out
your goals and expectations, as well as your commitment to
them. A written agreement will show you are serious about
the commitment.