When starting a new business, the opportunities are limitless. From choosing the products or services you’ll offer to picking your company’s name, you have the freedom to shape your business however you want.
However, being your own boss also comes with its own set of challenges. You’re responsible for setting priorities and making decisions. Whether you’re new to owning a business or an experienced entrepreneur, you might face unfamiliar situations and feel unsure about the best course of action.
Luckily, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Mentors from SCORE, an SBA Resource Partner, can provide expert advice. These mentors, with their extensive business experience, can offer an unbiased second opinion when you face tough decisions or problems.
For example, when Rose Morris, the owner of Abram’s Nation, developed the Safety Sleeper—a tent-like structure assisting children with special needs to sleep safely—she sought help from her SCORE mentor to bring it to market. The knowledge she gained from her mentor was crucial in turning Abram’s Nation into a million-dollar company. In 2017, Rose was honored as SBA Exporter of the Year.
Statistics from SCORE show that 87% of entrepreneurs with a mentor continue to be in business after one year, compared to 75% of those without a mentor.
Last year alone, SBA Resource Partners assisted numerous small businesses just like Abram’s Nation, helping them start, secure funding, and achieve significant global sales.
Small Business Development Centers provided counseling and training to more than 250,000 clients. SCORE supported nearly 200,000 clients, and Women’s Business Centers helped close to 70,000 clients with counseling and training.
In celebration of National Mentoring Month, consider these proven strategies to find your own business mentor:
1. **Connect with a mentor through SCORE**: With over 10,000 volunteer mentors available, SCORE offers free small business mentoring at more than 300 chapters nationwide and online via video chat. On SCORE’s website, you can request a mentor with specific expertise in your industry or to address particular questions.
2. **Seek guidance from other SBA Resource Partners**: Apart from SCORE, Small Business Development Centers provide free counseling and affordable training to help small business owners start and grow their businesses. Veterans Business Outreach Centers offer entrepreneurial development services to eligible veterans, and Women’s Business Centers provide free and low-cost counseling and training to women entrepreneurs.
3. **Attend networking events**: If you’re in a specialized field and want to find a mentor with niche expertise, industry-specific events can be a great starting point.
For more tips on finding a business mentor, join our @SBAgov Twitter chat on January 21 at 3 p.m. EST. Experts and fellow business owners will share insights on how to find a business mentor that suits your needs.
