Why business mentors are invaluable

From a Twitter thread I tweeted:

I see great content on building your business written by various makers. One invaluable tip I rarely see is to find a business mentor. I've lived in three US states and all have MULTIPLE avenues for finding a free mentor.

There is little downside to trying it out, at worst your mentor might not be a good fit, but if you can't determine that after one session, you might have bigger problems. Try again.

Typically there are qualifications to become a mentor, they require some form of success running a business over the years. Their experience might not be digital, but they generally have foundational understanding that helps businesses find their footing.

This guidance CAN provide a ton of value to entrepreneurs who have not yet found success, as nearly every aspect of running a business requires deliberate consideration. Most likely there are several knowledge gaps a mentor will help fill.

They often won't and can't tell you the one magic fix that changes everything. Instead expect to be challenged on your assumptions to address the deficiencies in your business operation.

The main reason you need a mentor: mentors come with a varying perspective. I'd place a bet on a two-person brainstorm over a one-person brainstorm EVERYTIME.

The takeaway:
At minimum, I promise mentors will ask you tough questions to make you think.