A mentor can increase the success of your business or point out a flaw or upcoming hurdle for your venture. But finding the right mentor is not always an easy task. You need someone who cares about you and your business, but also brings an outlook and perspective that tells you the truth–even if you might not want to hear it.
This was just one of this month’s #MillennialTreps Twitter Chat focus. Along with co-host U.S. Small Business Administration, this month’s chat delved into ‘Why Every Entrepreneurs Needs a Mentor?’
Here are some of our favorite responses.
Q1: What are the qualities I should look for in a mentor? #MillennialTreps
A1: someone who is interested in your advancement > their own; someone who challenges and supports you; someone who listens #millennialtreps — michael j. crawford (@mjcraw) July 28, 2015
A1: Small Biz in our network tell us a good mentor rolls up their sleeves, listens, and really holds you accountable #MillennialTreps — PCV (@PCVtweets) July 28, 2015
A1: Mentors should have a creative perspective and should have demonstrated success in an area you need help with #millennialtreps — Eze Redwood (@EzeRedwood) July 28, 2015
@mjcraw Yes. And you need someone who knows your biz but maybe isn't totally close to it to give you that real talk #MillennialTreps :) — Kim Wallace (@kimberlyloc) July 28, 2015
Q2: What resources exist to help me find a mentor? #MillennialTreps
A2: There are so many! Check out this article for a broad list → http://t.co/PSEjVqgpWg #MillennialTreps — SBA (@SBAgov) July 28, 2015
@SBAgov A2: I know I say this often, but programs like @1millioncups can help you find mentors. I've found some there. #MillennialTreps — Nicholas L. Norfolk (@absolut_zer0) July 28, 2015
A,2 Try accelerators & co-working spaces as formal and informal #mentor sources #MillennialTreps — Darnley Howard (@Darnleyh) July 28, 2015
A2: Get involved w/professional organizations. Ask former professors, former bosses, get creative. #MillennialTreps https://t.co/Q0bTJWN562 — Amanda Nelson (@MandaVision) July 28, 2015
Q3: How should I approach someone I want to be a mentor? #MillennialTreps
A3: Explain why you think they would be your ideal mentor. Tell them why you need a mentor and what advice you need. #MillennialTreps — SCORE Biz Mentor (@SCOREMentors) July 28, 2015
A3: Recruiting Board Members ft. @Bfeld | Advice on how to approach whether board members or mentors http://t.co/6ColzhlwZn #MillennialTreps — Founders School (@KauffmanFS) July 28, 2015
@KauffmanFS @SBAgov Q3: Make an appointment for a call/visit. Send resume/bio prior. Give them 1-3 Q's you have #MillennialTreps — Robbyn Wahby (@rgwahby) July 28, 2015
#millennialtreps be very clear on the things you require/expectations from mentor. They can open doors for you in those directions — iZoneZw (@iZoneZw) July 28, 2015
Q4: How often should I consult with my mentor to maintain a good relationship? #MillennialTreps
A4: I have contact at least once/week. Even If I have no questions/they have nothing to mention to me, it's a relationship. #MillennialTreps — Jennifer Droke (@jwedjennifer) July 28, 2015
A4: Depends on the relationship but as often as you need to for them to know you actually do something w. their advice #millennialtreps — Eze Redwood (@EzeRedwood) July 28, 2015
A4: to foster an authenic coaching/mentor exp, visiting once a quarter (if needed) seems to be efficient. @SBAgov #MillennialTreps — WomansBusinessCenter (@WBC_RGV) July 28, 2015
@KauffmanFS @SBAgov Q4: No set time or pace. Depends what you are working on. A project may need wkly call, others monthly. #MillennialTreps — Robbyn Wahby (@rgwahby) July 28, 2015
Q5: What are the biggest mistakes to avoid when working with a mentor? #MillennialTreps
A5: Expecting them to be available all.the.time. Not giving them something in return. #MillennialTreps https://t.co/d2UrQBTHCV — Amanda Nelson (@MandaVision) July 28, 2015
Q5: What are the biggest mistakes to avoid when working with a mentor A5: Lack of respect/honesty regarding time commitment #MillennialTreps — Shahab Khan (@shahabkhan) July 28, 2015
A5 Con’t: Check out SBA’s article “Top 7 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make With Mentors” → http://t.co/2Q05TmsJv5 #MillennialTreps — SBA (@SBAgov) July 28, 2015
@SBAgov Not being respectful of a mentor's time is a big issue. Be prepared for convos and follow thru on action plans. #MillennialTreps — Dr. Q (@DrQualls) July 28, 2015
Q6: What are the best ways to thank my mentor? #MillennialTreps
A6: Send TY notes; ask what you can do for them; check in to keep them updated (don't always be asking for something) #MillennialTreps — Kauffman Foundation (@KauffmanFDN) July 28, 2015
A6 Best way to thank mentor is by achieving what you set out to achieve by using their advice! Ask what you can do for them #MillennialTreps — Kim Wallace (@kimberlyloc) July 28, 2015
@SBAgov Appreciate their time and advice. Remember they don't do it for pay but out of their willingness to see you succeed #MillennialTreps — James Wachira (@UrbanKenyan) July 28, 2015
A6: If they are a valuable mentor, you might think of adding them to your board. They could be vital in growth of your co. #MillennialTreps — Entrepreneurship.org (@eshiporg) July 28, 2015
Thanks for everyone’s participation, and we look forward to hearing from you more in future Twitter chats. To see the full list of tweets, check out #MillennialTreps on Twitter and follow @KauffmanFS to see when we’ll be having our chat next month and what topic we'll be discussing.
Want to see what happened during our last Twitter chats? Check out:
Pitfalls in Hiring, Ways to Motivate a Team Arise in Twitter Chat
Millennials Twitter Chat Discusses Relevance of Business Plans, Whether to Co-Found or Not
Twitter Chat Ignites Discussion Obstacles Facing Millennial Entrepreneurs