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15 Comments

Do you have a mentor?

Do you have a mentor? If so, how did you find them? What is your relationship and how do you work / exchange information with them? Do you pay them or how are they incentivized to support you?

  1. 4

    I started my entrepreneurial journey about 4-5 years ago and got a paid mentor after 6 months

    Paid mentors are great for rapidly learning startup principles (also for accountability with staying the course)

    After this paid mentor, I found a few non-paid mentors via LinkedIn who have been supporting my startup's growth.

    I find that mentors are the best as far as well rounded resources (access to professionals, funding, food, and other aspects of life/business)

    For learning I've consistently found that group startup programs have been the best for me (they usually stay personal while also giving good info). The programs usually have group coaching where you can learn from peers + a group mentor. The peer-based feedback and talks usually help a lot because it makes you think more than just inside your own business.

    ----

    How do I find mentors? I find them through referrals, Google, or LinkedIn I ask them to be a mentor or ask them for so much advise they naturally become a mentor

    Relationship? None work on the business with me instead they either give advice or provide opportunities

    Work / Info Exchange? Slack, Discord, Email, Text Message, Phone Calls. I'm flexible with communication tools but usually I start with the tool they like then try to meet in the middle with a tool we both like. They'll usually send emails with follow up info or connections.

    Pay / Incentives? At first I would "hire" paid mentors, however, their advice can sometimes be non-specific so I also have non-paid mentors. This usually means we trade value in some way. For me I'm very knowledgeable on digital and new media (VR, gaming platforms, Gen Z marketing, etc) so most of my mentors usually text me asking for advice around technology decisions or asking what I think about new technologies. Very rarely I'll do a quick freebie for them (like a small write up). The most I've ever done for a mentor was write a 10-12 page grant but this was for a shared opportunity between their company and my startup.

    Hope this helps!

    PS Know that X% of humanity is sincerely interested in helping others then focus on aligning your business needs to an expert with this mentality (this is a great way to get started with finding mentors before figuring out how to "sell" yourself to mentors).

  2. 2

    Many people are willing to share their experience. Reach them (friendly message over LinkedIn sharing your challenge and asking for mentoring), buy a coffee, and actively listen. Use your natural curiosity and ask questions that you feel are important.

    Consider a session with a coach. Ideally, with ACC/PCC credentials from ICF. Certified coaches are not experts in your area, and that is the best! They will ask curious questions and let you find your own solutions. You need to pay them (100$-300$/hour).

    Ultimately you will need to make your own decision without worrying too much about mentor/expert opinions. And a nonobvious life hack is - every person you meet can be your free coach. Coaches are trained to ask with curiosity and not push you into their solutions.

    Many self-made mentors will say: "There is only one right way to do XY - listen to my experience." Yet there are always more ways. And what worked for them might and might not work in your specific case.

    But if, for example, Elon Musk tells you some great business advice, you respect him, and it's against all your instinct. Wouldn't you feel terrible? Shall you go with your instinct or listen to a guru? However you decide, just behind the next corner, you'll need to decide again. And again. The guru will keep running Twitter or flying to Mars, and you'll be on your own.

    What's great - there are always some people around you. Use everybody as your coach; tell them your story, let them ask curious questions, and you'll always be able to move forward. Return them a favor and listen to their story, ask curious questions. See every conversation as an opportunity and enjoy it. Curiosity is all you need. Maybe also focus less on problems and more on solutions (80%+ on solutions would be ideal).

    (I learned this the hard way. Having multiple coaches/mentors, mentoring and coaching on my own, and eventually just being curious, finding my peace of mind).

  3. 2

    I have been giving a lot of thought to this. It appears that I have FOMO. Because I do not have a particular request in mind.

    But a friend of mine works with mentors for free. When you pay a mentor they can be incentivized to have you come again. When it's for free, they definitely are not. I found that advice valuable.

    1. 1

      On the other hand, if they are incentivized to have you come again, they are also incentivized to really help you. + When it's free it might be easier to say "I don't have time right now", even if strong support is needed. In this case, maybe providing company's shares would be a working solution

  4. 2

    Having a mentor can be extremely beneficial for personal and professional growth. A mentor can provide guidance, support, and advice based on their own experiences and knowledge.

    1. 3

      This really reads like a ChatGPT generated response

    2. 1

      Mentor provide positive feedback and encouragement.

  5. 1

    Nope. I do want one though, and will definitely spring for one once I have a bit more disposable income.

  6. 1

    Actually, I have searched for a mentor before, but I was not successful!

  7. 1

    Currently i do not have and i must say that everyone must have one mentor who guide them to do things in correct way, whom he can share his/her ideas...

  8. 1

    I am an ex-small business founder and I believe that I would have benefited greatly from having a mentor to guide me with my business decisions. The mentor would hopefully help me stay on course and a timeline for my plan.

    Anyway, I have a job now (Thank God!) and I peruse standup comedy on the side. My standup is a bit unique so I am afraid that if I get a mentor, I would be too influenced by the mentor's style, or the mentor would insist that I adopt their idea of what comedy should look and sound like.

    However, I speak with my fellow comics who are kind enough to guide me through the process and if I feel stuck somewhere.

    I hope to someday have a mentor related to my job-work and comedy someday so that I don't have to constantly white-knuckle everything everytime.

  9. 1

    Yes, I am mentored by an experienced entrepreneur
    And I pay him a couple thousand dollars a month.

    But I think it's necessary. When you work hard on your project, you're in big focus. You need an outside perspective to switch to strategy and think more rationally. And if that perspective is also experienced, that's very valuable.

  10. 1

    Hoping to get one.

  11. 1

    Unfortunately, I don't have a mentor. I thought about to paying a mentor but to be honest I don't see if the person can really help me.

    And paying for friendship/mentoring is not in my mentor model. But perhaps I'm totaly wrong here.

  12. 1

    I dont have a mentor but I have been thinking about getting a mentor from platforms like mentorcruise, growthmentor etc because I sometimes I feel lost and scared

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