You’d better like guessing games if you want to succeed with a start-up.   I can’t count the amount of mistakes I have made (or rules I have bent) in an effort to figure out my business.  I often wished I could have a boss for just one day!

And then it happened!  I met the mentor of my dreams; a successful entrepreneur (a local celebrity actually), who because of his business experiences, understood the advantages and the disadvantages of the start-up journey all too well.  When “you don’t know, what you don’t know”, a good mentor can help you make clever decisions and avoid crucial mistakes.

Here are 6 ways my mentor helps me.

1. He’s an expert.  His areas of expertise are in my areas of inexperience.   I can get right to the meat of my concerns and he can delve directly into those conversations with valuable advice.
2. He’s a successful entrepreneur.  He’s walked the walk.  He’s experienced the North, East, West and South of everything business.  He’s living proof that anything is possible.  And as a successful entrepreneur he truly wants to see me succeed!
3. He’s action-oriented.  Actions speak louder than words and my mentor comes up with great suggestions to help me get to the goal I am focused on.
4. He’s direct.  He tells it like it is even if it’s not what I want to hear…all in the name of support!
5. He’s available.  Not night and day or anything, and he travels a lot.  But if I do have a question or need a sounding board I know he’ll get back to me as soon as he can.
6. He gets excited.  When I have accomplished a goal I have been focused on, he’s rooting for me, supporting my decisions and cheering me on!
7. He has connections.  Since meeting my mentor my business network has expanded and my business team has grown to include the very best lawyers, bankers and accountants in our community.

Meeting the right mentor at the right time can be a game changer.  Mine has been an incredible coach, a true inspiration, a supportive friend and a devil’s advocate all at once.  There’s no shortage of mentors out there but you can’t be afraid to ask!