Find the right lash business mentor

What is a mentor?

Mentoring is a professional connection in which an experienced person (the mentor) helps a less experienced person (the mentee) develop their skills while learning from and contributing to the mentee’s development.

The best mentors can help their mentees develop professionally while being supportive and good friends. A mentor should always act in the mentee’s best interest and modify their mentoring approach accordingly.

Three guidelines should be followed by anyone seeking a mentor:

• Get your bearings and focus. Define your professional path and establish practical commercial objectives. Find out what you need to know to accomplish your objectives.

• Act professionally. Think of your mentorship as a professional friendship. Maintain a relaxed and cordial demeanor and avoid asking direct inquiries like “Will you be my mentor?”

• Find a role model in your field and learn from them. You may already have a mentor in your professional circle who can offer guidance in various forms. It only takes work on both sides to make that initial meeting more permanent.

To succeed in business, every entrepreneur should have a mentor.

The world of business is rich with opportunities and tools. Advice on launching and managing a business can be found just about anywhere these days, from online publications to friends and family. However, a committed business mentor with relevant experience can greatly impact your company’s development.

The best mentorships are mutually beneficial, with both parties gaining knowledge and insight from the other. In addition, it’s an (often) cost-free tool for developing your startup or existing firm.

However, there are specific strategies that can help you locate and keep a business mentor for the long haul.

How Can a Mentor Help My Business?

Mentors are invaluable for any business owner, from the first-time founder to the seasoned CEO. Mentors typically have extensive experience in their specialty, sometimes spanning decades.

The most valuable benefit of having a mentor is the individualized guidance you’ll receive. In contrast to the impersonal guidance found in books or from well-meaning relatives, mentors base their recommendations on their own experiences. According to a recent UPS customer poll, 88% of business owners who said they had a mentor thought they were helpful.

Mentors inspire you by providing you with useful advice and connections. You may, for instance, consult a mentor about your financial statements. A good mentor will share more than just their wisdom; they may also offer helpful resources like templates and suggestions for professionals like accountants. 

However, mentors can learn just as much from their mentees. As a form of community service, many people mentor aspiring business owners. They may also take this occasion to practice their teaching or consulting abilities on a younger business owner.

The Value of a Mentor in Business

Keeping in touch with a business mentor could be the most useful thing you do to develop your company. There are many upsides to having a mentor, but here is a handful that sticks out.

They represent an ally that you might not be able to find within your company.

Your entrepreneurial journey may sometimes present you with feelings of isolation and unpredictability. After you have established your company, there will be no one to whom you can turn for help or direction. To put it another way, you are in charge, and it’s possible that you don’t have any staff just yet.

You don’t have to be alone even though you will be flying alone. A mentor is someone who provides assistance and connection. When things get difficult, which they inevitably will, everyone requires the assistance of a trustworthy sounding board, a second opinion, and emotional support.

They have a “Been There and Done That” experience.

One of the most obvious advantages of finding a business mentor is gaining insight from that person’s past experiences, both in triumphs and failures. Your mentor’s job is to pass on the wisdom they’ve gained from their experience, hoping it will make it easier for you to acquire the same knowledge. You don’t need to make the same errors another person has made if that person can point you differently.

They don’t cost anything (typically).

When your company is still in its early phases, finding and obtaining support can frequently be difficult due to budgetary constraints. Coaches and consultants can provide services that a mentor does not, but these services come at a cost ranging anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Mentoring relationships are typically available to individuals regardless of their monetary circumstances. Several organizations, such as SCORE, a network of volunteer, skilled business mentors operating under the auspices of the Small Business Administration, make mentors easily accessible and offer their services without charging a fee. You can also identify possible mentors by attending networking events, participating in business associations, or visiting online sites like LinkedIn3.
If you happen to meet someone at an event, make the most of the opportunity by putting your best foot forward and concentrating on developing a relationship with that person before making any requests of them.

It’s possible that you could broaden your social network.

Your mentor is likely to have a wide network that spans various businesses and departments because he or she is an experienced businessperson. Another advantage of having a powerful mentor relationship is that it may enable you to connect with a far higher caliber of senior decision-makers than you presently have in your network of contacts.

Many mentors would be more inclined to give you access to their network rather than provide it to a casual friend they met at a networking event. You don’t want to be just a passing link, so maintaining your relationship with a mentor is crucial. This relationship ought to benefit both of you, as opposed to one of you always receiving and the other of you never providing anything in return.

You Have the Potential to Cultivate a Reliable and Lasting Relationship.

The vast majority of mentors do not have any ulterior motives, meaning they do not have any service or product to sell you. This, together with their experience and various other attributes, establishes a basis for trust that, as the relationship progresses, continues to deepen and expand. As they become more familiar with you, your company, and your preferred education method, the time you spend with them will also become more productive.

A Good Mentor Should Have These 9 Qualities

1. Recognize Your Weaknesses and Strengths

Everyone has their own set of advantages and disadvantages. This is something that a good mentor is aware of and seeks to learn about to better guide their mentee.

Even if you probably have a good idea of your strong points and areas for improvement, having another person’s opinion can still be beneficial. For instance, my communication skills are among my strongest assets. However, one of my advisors suggested that I increase the empathy I show in my feedback over the past several years.
My no-nonsense approach wasn’t always the most effective strategy. As a result, before delivering comments, I would always consult with my mentor to get their thoughts on my concerns and suggestions. My ability to provide feedback that is attentive, straightforward, and empathic is something that I developed over time.

Your deficiencies will be strengthened, and your strengths will be expanded if you have a good mentor to help you fill key skill gaps.

2. Identifies Areas for Further Development

It can be challenging to provide sincere feedback. It requires exceptional communication abilities and a degree of openness that few people are comfortable exposing themselves to for extended periods.

Because of this, the value of having a mentor who helps you develop inside and outside the workplace cannot be overstated. This quality sets a mentor apart from a cheerleader in a relationship.

A mentor is someone familiar with your professional development, desired career path, and strengths and weaknesses. They can identify the voids that must be filled to realize your objectives. On the other hand, the sole purpose of a cheerleader is to boost morale and encourage others.

A mentor’s job is not simply to make you feel better; rather, it is to improve you to achieve greater success in the future.

3. Earns both Your Confidence and Respect

A person who serves as a role model is known as a mentor. You hold them in high regard due to the quality of their work, guiding principles, and the singularity of their character.

They need to be trustworthy since you might share information you don’t share with anyone else. Additionally, you might share information with them that you don’t share with anyone else. You need to be able to have uncomfortable conversations for any mentor-mentee relationship to endure and for it to benefit both parties involved. This may involve discussing work-related concerns, such as salary negotiations, promotions, troubles with coworkers or management, quitting a job, or being let go from a position.

It takes time to gain someone’s trust to the point where you can share your struggles with them. Find a guide who understands the value of this phase of your life and won’t pressure you to share private details from the beginning of your time together. A connection that is open, respectful, and professional is what we hope to achieve here.

4. Demonstrates Compassion

Empathy is a skill that is beneficial in any professional interaction; nevertheless, it is necessary for mentoring.

Mentors with high emotional intelligence pay attention to what you say and try to understand your perspective. They recognize that you are human and capable of making mistakes. They can make you feel at ease talking about positive and negative things.

Because of this, it is advisable to look for a mentor who is aware that life may be unpredictable, that people can become ill, and that one’s priorities can shift over time. They should be willing to demonstrate their humanity and provide direction in a manner that is congruent with who they are as an individual.

5. Has Relevant Knowledge and Skills

This is typically the most important quality to look for in a mentor, even though there are many others to consider.

Mentors who have relevant knowledge and skills have likely been in a position that is comparable to yours. As a result, they are in a position to provide role- or industry-specific guidance as you navigate your career and work toward achieving your objectives.

Find someone with the expertise and experience you would like, and rely on them as a source of information. Remember that your path is one of a kind, and when considering their advice, you should focus on what feels natural to you.

6. Pays Attention and Contemplates

It’s simple to offer words of wisdom. However, knowing whether or not the advice you are giving is helpful to the individual you are giving it to requires competence.

The best mentors are those who comprehend the significance of both active listening and providing advice on purpose. Before making any suggestions, they investigate a problem by inquiring about it from as many angles as possible. There are times when all they do is listen.

Mentors who can listen to the information they are given and think about it frequently have a better understanding of the person they are mentoring. They are more likely to offer advice that applies to you because they are familiar with your background and circumstances. One of my mentors frequently encourages me to talk about problems without providing any suggestions or recommendations. Instead, they interrogate me to help me form opinions and judgments about the situation. My ability to solve problems and my self-assurance while making decisions have both improved.

If you know someone who is an excellent listener and gives advice after carefully considering it, that person might be a terrific mentor.

7. Dedicated to Fostering Your Personal and Professional Development

Your personal development, as well as your professional advancement, can benefit from the guidance and insights that can be gained from having a mentor.

However, what separates the best mentors from the rest is their capacity to concentrate on their growth and that of their mentees. Naturally, it would be best if you strived to find a mentor who has been in your shoes before and can foster your personal development. You’ve hit the jackpot if you’ve discovered a mentor who is likewise willing to invest time in their growth and push themselves beyond their comfort zone.

People who fit this description typically have their very personal mentors. They are always working to better themselves and are often learners for the rest of their lives. They not only follow their interests, but they also motivate you to achieve your goals and foster your creativity.

8. Solid relationships and extensive network connections

Not every person who offers to mentor you must be older or have more experience than you do. My mentor is much younger than me but has many more years of expertise in a specific field than I do.

Regardless of your age or level of expertise, there is one thing that you absolutely must take into account, and that is the relationships that your mentor maintains. Do they have access to a substantial network? Do they have connections to significant persons in your field of work? Would they be willing to introduce you to someone or recommend you to play a role?

An excellent mentor has spent years cultivating strong relationships with other individuals, and they are willing to include you in their inner circle due to their efforts. This can assist in expanding your network and open doors to opportunities you otherwise may not have had.

As with other types of relationships, mentoring is not a one-way street. Mentors opt for mentees who already have established networks to broaden their professional contacts. Invest some time and energy into cultivating relationships and expanding your network. You never know who could be of use to a mentor unless you talk to them.

9. The capacity to commit time to mentor others

Many persons possess the skills necessary to be effective mentors but cannot dedicate enough time. The mentor and mentee relationship requires work on both sides of the relationship. It is impossible to succeed without total dedication.

An excellent mentor should be willing to talk over the phone, write an insightful email, or get together for a cup of coffee at least occasionally. If they aren’t, the partnerships have a high risk of falling apart rapidly. The mentee has a significant amount of responsibility for maintaining a healthy connection with the mentor. However, in exchange for the mentee’s efforts, the mentor needs to be able to provide some sort of assistance.

Having stated that no set period is required for effective mentoring. It is contingent on the type of the relationship as well as the persons that are engaged. You might chat with a mentor once every three months or get together for lunch every month. Some of your mentors may only be in your life briefly, while others could be around for the rest of their lives. Determining the most effective cadence will be a joint effort between you and your instructor.

Why do you need a mentor?

Finding a reliable mentor is one of the first pieces of advice provided to a novice real estate agent. Studying and using materials are two very different things, much like any new profession. Thankfully, the internet is rife with resources like blogs, movies, and podcasts that can aid us in our quests. However, this knowledge often falls short when addressing more specific challenges or introducing us to potentially beneficial contacts.

Perhaps you have a brilliant concept but don’t know how to make it a reality. Or maybe you’ve done all the reading and research but still have no idea what to do when you reach a snag. Having a mentor can help you make the greatest decisions for your career in either case and in a wide variety of others. Let me explain.

Mentors are crucial for gaining perspective.

Mentors are invaluable because they have been where you are and have seen multiple outcomes. They are useful for gaining perspective when you’re stuck in the weeds, unable to see the forest for the trees. Mentors can shorten the time it takes to attain your goals by sharing the experiences and insights they’ve gained to their successes.

Successful business owners know what it’s like to make mistakes, face setbacks, and figure out how to overcome them. A guide can help you see past obstacles you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. In addition, he or she can give objective recommendations and forecasts based on years of experience.

They open doors and introduce you to influential people.

Your advisor has networked with numerous business owners and can introduce you to them as appropriate. Finding the appropriate individuals to know can take years or even decades, but a mentor can shorten that process.

In addition, a mentor can illuminate paths you haven’t considered and assist you in making connections that might otherwise be out of reach.

They ensure your company’s continued success.

Salesforce claims that the typical startup shuts down after only 20 months. Many factors might lead to a startup’s demise, but a good mentor can help you anticipate and avoid these pitfalls. Your mentor has been where you are now—making the costly mistakes that can stunt your development—and applying the answers that got you back on track. Your mentor is a sounding board for your ideas and a source of guidance on whether or not to pursue them. To weather rough times and put money toward future endeavors, having a mentor on hand is helpful to offer guidance on various transactions.

Your guide can also advise you on when to take a break. He or she understands how terrible it can be to your business ambitions to burn oneself out completely, having done so many times in the past.

Inspiring and comforting, they are.

We could all use some reassurance occasionally, and your mentor is in the best position to provide it. There is evidence that young business owners benefit from having access to a quality mentor. Your mentor understands your struggles since he or she has been in your shoes and may offer words of comfort when you need them most.

Finding a role model to strive toward is crucial since that person will be a constant source of motivation for you. Mentors are those who have accomplished what you hope to achieve and are willing to help you along the way. They have done it, so you can, too, if you take the time to learn from their experiences and apply what they’ve taught you.

They provide priceless guidance at no cost to you.

To equate a mentor with a consultant, the latter of whom usually comes at a high cost, is a beginner’s mistake. The best mentor isn’t interested in helping you for the money. Instead, a mentor’s sole motivation is your success by sharing failures and triumphs.

The success of your fledgling firm should be the ultimate reward for your mentor, who should be motivated by a desire to witness your own professional and personal development. Inexpensive as they may be, your mentor’s counsel and direction are priceless.

A guide on establishing a working relationship with a mentor.

• Make sure to follow up at regular intervals. After you’ve had an initial discussion with a prospective mentor and met with them in person, you should seriously consider how and when to follow up with them. If they are willing to continue having a conversation, put calendar reminders in place so you can follow up with them and schedule meetings. It is up to you to determine how frequently you talk to your mentor, but the point is to maintain and improve your long-term insight. That can be chatting over the phone or getting together for coffee once every three months or even once every six months.

• Utilize social media. Social media allows mentees to interact regularly with their mentors in a low-stress environment. Use Twitter and LinkedIn for lighter fare, such as items of interest, book recommendations, relevant industry news, etc. Through the use of social media, mentees can remind their mentors that the mentees respect the mentor-mentee connection. You don’t want to appear forceful, so limit the number of times you prod someone’s shoulder. [Expand your knowledge of how to use LinkedIn in your personal and professional life.]

• Keep sensitive conversations for the in-person gatherings they deserve. Communicating important career ideas via email or social media is not good. Reserving that for face-to-face conversations is appropriate. Salemi encouraged us to “Make it a point of trying to meet up with them,” and we did just that. “If their schedule is full, think creatively about alternatives such as ‘OK, I’ll meet you in your office’ or ‘Can we FaceTime?’ just to get that interaction… You shouldn’t limit yourself to sending emails only.”

• Make use of regular mail. Sending your mentor mail is a meaningful method to interact with each other. A simple word of gratitude or a Christmas card can go a long way toward demonstrating that you value the guidance and presence of your mentor in your life.

Final thoughts

Rather than immediately asking someone to be your mentor after discovering someone who inspires you and possesses the qualities associated with a good mentor, focus on creating a relationship with that person instead. After some time, you won’t feel the need to put them under any further strain by requesting that they act as your mentor; instead, you’ll just be taking advice from a friend.