Mentorship plays a crucial role in small business success. While learning from your own mistakes is valuable, gaining wisdom from others’ experiences can help you avoid pitfalls. Time with a mentor allows you to connect with someone who understands your challenges and can offer solutions. A mentor is invested in your success and wants to see you succeed. Their belief and encouragement can significantly impact your business journey.

If you are new to business, or maybe have been in business for a while and are feeling a little isolated and in need of help, I would recommend reaching out to a mentor. It is surprisingly easy to do, and many successful business owners are more than willing to help you out. However, a new small business owner may not know where to start.

If you are in search of a mentor, here are a couple of steps to take and tips to follow:

First, identify who you’d like as a mentor and why. What goals have they accomplished that resonate with you? How can their experiences help guide you?

Do research on them. This will go a long way. Find common ground and areas where you can connect with them when you reach out. What do they like to do? Where do they like to travel? What makes them unique? Do they have a favorite sport, hobby, food, activity? Are there things you have in common that could open a door of connection with them?

Reach out to them. This is such an important step. So many people talk about wishing they had a mentor, and they know who they want to reach out to, but they have a paralyzing fear of rejection about reaching out. Here is a little secret: so many successful entrepreneurs are willing to give back, contribute, and spend some time with you, but will not do so unless you take the initiative and ask. When you reach out, call them, their office, send them an email, write a nice handwritten note, stop by in person, reach out through social media channels. When you do reach out, do something to get their attention. One of the coolest things someone did to reach out to me was stop by my office and leave a bag of peanut M & M’s on my desk. Along with this bag of deliciousness was a note asking if he could spend some time to pick my brain about business. I called him back right away!

If at first they do not respond, keep reaching out. Try different avenues and channels of communication. Be sure you do something to interrupt all the communications they receive and catch their attention. Also consider that this person may have a gatekeeper such as an Executive Assistant or other level of management within their company that filters who is allowed to connect with said potential mentor.

You may get rejected. I remember reaching out to a very well-known public speaker to ask him if he would share some experiences with me. Not only did he tell me no, but he was also a total jerk about it. After two to three minutes of listening him ramble pretentiously about how wrong I was to reach out to him, I ended that phone call. On the other hand, I remember the first time I reached out to Mike Michalowicz. He was so humble, gracious and friendly in guiding me, encouraging me and challenging me in my journey as an author. He and I have developed a great friendship over the years, and this never would have happened if I didn’t reach out.

Be clear in your ask. When you contact your potential mentor, ask very specifically for what you want. But before doing so, state why you appreciate them, their story, their success; then ask. For example:

Curt, thank you so much for taking my call. I have been following you, your company and your success for many years. I am new to small business and would love it if you would be willing to sit down with me over lunch, my treat. I heard you love that new Italian restaurant on Main Street. While we are at lunch, I would love to know more specifically about your first years in business, challenges you faced, and what advice you would give to me. I know you are very busy, so I will make time based around your schedule. Thank you so much for your consideration to meet with me. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Another tip here. Maybe your ask is with a personal handwritten note. Inside this note you could send a gift card to the restaurant you propose meeting your potential mentor at.

When reaching out, try to find ways to offer value. For example, if you know a business that could benefit from working with theirs, make an introduction. You could add something like:

I’ll be sending an email introduction to John Smith from XYZ Manufacturing. His company could benefit from your services, and I believe you’d be a great fit.

When you end up meeting your mentor, have fun, and enjoy your time with them. You never know where the relationship will end up, or where it will take you.

I hope this blog gives you some encouragement and some practical tips on connecting with a mentor.

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