--- title: "Unlocking Success: The Power of a Small Business Mentor" description: While owning your own business can be extremely rewarding, without a small business mentor, it can be isolating. Here's how to find a mentor in business. image: https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/small-business-mentor-_1200-%C3%97-628-px_%20(1).webp --- - [Client Portal](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - [Employee Login](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) [![AxcetHR Solutions Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/AxcetHR2021%20Blog/axcethr_logo_white%20(1).png)](https://www.axcethr.com/) - [About Us](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/) - [Corporate Philantropy](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/corporate-philanthropy/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Values and Culture](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/values-and-culture/) - [Kansas PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/kansas-peo/) - [Missouri PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/missouri-peo/) - [Careers](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [Why Choose Axcet?](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [About PEOs](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/about-peos/) - 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- - - [whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/why-every-small-business-owner-should-have-a-mentor](whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/why-every-small-business-owner-should-have-a-mentor) - [mailto:?subject=Unlocking%20Success:%20The%20Power%20of%20a%20Small%20Business%20Mentor&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/why-every-small-business-owner-should-have-a-mentor](mailto:?subject=Unlocking%20Success:%20The%20Power%20of%20a%20Small%20Business%20Mentor&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/why-every-small-business-owner-should-have-a-mentor) ![small-business-mentor (1)](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/small-business-mentor%20(1).webp?width=1200&height=800&name=small-business-mentor%20(1).webp) Owning a small business or start-up can be the most exciting and rewarding thing you ever do—but as any entrepreneur will tell you, it won’t always go smoothly. Carving your own path means encountering a world of questions, dilemmas and obstacles to either solve or overcome. On top of this, going at it alone can be incredibly isolating. That's where a small business mentor can help. In fact, a 2022 study found that 89% of small business owners wish they’d had a mentor in the beginning.   Having a small business mentor can alleviate stressors and help you rise to the top. In this blog post, we’ll explore the often-overlooked concept of the mentor relationship in the world of small business ownership.  [![Six Leadership Skills No Good Manager Should Be Without](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/36db2135-f507-478e-b788-1b09c55f34d1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2652187/36db2135-f507-478e-b788-1b09c55f34d1) ## The Many Benefits of a Small Business Mentor ### 1. Mentors can teach you hard lessons (the easy way)  A good small business mentor is an industry expert who has “been there, done that.” In turn, they can help you navigate complex, new-to-you issues that are specific to entrepreneurship in your industry. Drawing upon your mentor’s knowledge and expertise is just one of the many benefits of this professional relationship. Besides the obvious industry and business-specific lessons they can share wisdom on, mentors who have started small businesses themselves truly understand the interpersonal and emotional challenges of entrepreneurship better than anyone.  ### 2. Mentors can help you network Your small business mentor can be a great way to meet and build a network in your industry. Your mentor can connect you with individuals who have helped them along the way, and those they have partnered with while growing their business.    ### 3. Mentors can help you build confidence Encouragement and validation from someone experienced can boost business owners’ confidence. With more confidence, you’ll be more likely to take calculated risks and make tough decisions.   RELATED: [Succession Planning for the Small Business Owner >>](https://blog.axcethr.com/succession-planning-for-the-small-business-owner)  ## How to Find a Mentor in Business  Finding the perfect small business mentor may happen organically--if it does, count yourself among the luckiest. For others, figuring out how to find a mentor in business takes effort and a bit of skill. Here are some starting points you can consider:  - ### Professional Associations Professional associations at industry-specific conferences and seminars, and in membership groups. Participating in networking events can help you meet other like-minded individuals you may hit it off with.   - ### Online - For free online, through sites like [Score.com](https://www.score.org/find-mentor). Participation in SCORE Mentoring is a free service for entrepreneurs and small business owners. SCORE held 278,783 mentoring sessions in 2022.    - ### Within Your Network Within your own network, perhaps by getting to know an individual you admire or whose business you respect. Don't underestimate the age-old tactic of asking a potential mentor out for a quick coffee or lunch (and footing the bill). You may think that the people you look up to are constantly being bothered by requests to serve as a mentor, but it may be more rare than you think. In fact, Forbes reports that only 14 percent of people who have mentors established the relationship by asking the individual to mentor them.  RELATED: [Why Employee Development Benefits Your Team and Your Business >>](https://blog.axcethr.com/why-employee-development-benefits-your-team-and-your-business) ## Axcet HR Solutions: A Full-Suite of HR Services Axcet HR Solutions, a [Kansas City PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/), is proud to serve small businesses and start-ups, partnering with lean organizations to provide a full suite of human resources services. Whatever your business needs, from training and development to employee relations, to risk compliance, Axcet has you covered. With your mind off of HR tasks, you can focus on what you're great at as a small business owner: running (and growing) your core business. Interested in learning more about how Axcet can help? [Schedule a conversation with our experts to learn more](https://www.axcethr.com/schedule-consultation/).  [![Kansas City PEO Small Businesses Contact Kansas Missouri](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/9cb1f5dc-8637-4cbb-8a8f-7cc0ebc7f324.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2652187/9cb1f5dc-8637-4cbb-8a8f-7cc0ebc7f324) [![Laura Dowling, SPHR](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Laura-_DSC4796-Edit-Edit.jpg?width=80&height=80&name=Laura-_DSC4796-Edit-Edit.jpg)](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/laura-dowling-sphr) Written by #### [Laura Dowling, SPHR](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/laura-dowling-sphr) Human Resources Consultant Read more [View all posts →](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/laura-dowling-sphr) ### Get HR Updates ### Table of Contents ### Related Resources - [services Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [services training & development](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/training-and-development/) #### [The Communication Equation: Listening Skills in the Workplace ![listening skills in the workplace](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/listening-skills-in-the-workplace-_1200-%C3%97-628-px_%20(1).webp)](https://blog.axcethr.com/listening-skills-in-the-workplace-reduce-rework-improve-bonds) #### [![flsa travel time](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/flsa-travel-time-_1_%20(1).webp) Navigating the Nuances of Pay: FLSA Travel Time, Sleep, On-Call & More](https://blog.axcethr.com/asleep-on-the-job-when-you-have-to-pay-employees-for-unproductive-time) ## Let us know what you think... ![AxcetHR Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/AxcetHR2021%20Blog/axcethr_logo_white%20(1).png) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [What We Stand For](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/what-we-stand-for/) - [Expertise](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.axcethr.com/services/employee-benefits/) - [Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [Payroll Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/payroll-and-tax-administration-services/) - [Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/workers-comp-and-employee-safety-risk-management/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Subscribe to Latest Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/subscribe-to-the-latest-resources/) - [Resource Library](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/resource-library/) - [\[ Client Portal \]](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - - - - - Search for: Copyright © 2023 Axcet HR Solutions – Kansas City's PEO Since 1988 | [Privacy Policy](https://www.axcethr.com/privacy-policy/) | [Terms and Conditions](https://www.axcethr.com/terms-conditions/) | [**Join our Team – Careers »**](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) 10975 Grandview Drive Suite 200, Corporate Woods Building 27, Overland Park, KS 66210 | Call us: 913-383-2999 *The IRS does not endorse any particular For more information on [certified professional employer organizations](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/certified-peo/), go to [www.irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov).* Remove cookies ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=43031&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Laura Dowling, SPHR", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/laura-dowling-sphr" }, "dateModified" : "2024-06-19T19:30:45.886Z", "datePublished" : "2023-08-16T18:46:51.000Z", "headline" : "Unlocking Success: The Power of a Small Business Mentor", "image" : [ "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/small-business-mentor-_1200-%C3%97-628-px_%20(1).webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/why-every-small-business-owner-should-have-a-mentor", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/_logo_axcethr_primary.png" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.axcethr.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Kansas City", "addressRegion" : "MO" }, "aggregateRating" : { "@type" : "AggregateRating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingValue" : "5", "reviewCount" : "100" }, "areaServed" : { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "United States" }, "award" : [ "IRS Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO)", "Award-Winning HR Solutions Provider", "SHRM Certified HR Professionals", "HRCI Certified HR Professionals" ], "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "US", "availableLanguage" : "English", "contactType" : "Customer Service" }, "description" : "Award-winning Professional Employer Organization (PEO) providing comprehensive HR solutions, payroll services, employee benefits, and risk management to small and mid-sized businesses. 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Carving your own path means encountering a world of questions, dilemmas and obstacles to either solve or overcome. On top of this, going at it alone can be incredibly isolating. That's where a small business mentor can help. In fact, a 2022 study found that 89% of small business owners wish they’d had a mentor in the beginning. Having a small business mentor can alleviate stressors and help you rise to the top. In this blog post, we’ll explore the often-overlooked concept of the mentor relationship in the world of small business ownership. The Many Benefits of a Small Business Mentor 1. Mentors can teach you hard lessons (the easy way)  A good small business mentor is an industry expert who has “been there, done that.” In turn, they can help you navigate complex, new-to-you issues that are specific to entrepreneurship in your industry. Drawing upon your mentor’s knowledge and expertise is just one of the many benefits of this professional relationship. Besides the obvious industry and business-specific lessons they can share wisdom on, mentors who have started small businesses themselves truly understand the interpersonal and emotional challenges of entrepreneurship better than anyone. 2. Mentors can help you network Your small business mentor can be a great way to meet and build a network in your industry. Your mentor can connect you with individuals who have helped them along the way, and those they have partnered with while growing their business. 3. Mentors can help you build confidence Encouragement and validation from someone experienced can boost business owners’ confidence. With more confidence, you’ll be more likely to take calculated risks and make tough decisions. RELATED: Succession Planning for the Small Business Owner >> How to Find a Mentor in Business Finding the perfect small business mentor may happen organically--if it does, count yourself among the luckiest. For others, figuring out how to find a mentor in business takes effort and a bit of skill. Here are some starting points you can consider: Professional Associations Professional associations at industry-specific conferences and seminars, and in membership groups. Participating in networking events can help you meet other like-minded individuals you may hit it off with. Online For free online, through sites like Score.com. Participation in SCORE Mentoring is a free service for entrepreneurs and small business owners. SCORE held 278,783 mentoring sessions in 2022. Within Your Network Within your own network, perhaps by getting to know an individual you admire or whose business you respect. Don't underestimate the age-old tactic of asking a potential mentor out for a quick coffee or lunch (and footing the bill). You may think that the people you look up to are constantly being bothered by requests to serve as a mentor, but it may be more rare than you think. In fact, Forbes reports that only 14 percent of people who have mentors established the relationship by asking the individual to mentor them. RELATED: Why Employee Development Benefits Your Team and Your Business >> Axcet HR Solutions: A Full-Suite of HR Services Axcet HR Solutions, a Kansas City PEO, is proud to serve small businesses and start-ups, partnering with lean organizations to provide a full suite of human resources services. Whatever your business needs, from training and development to employee relations, to risk compliance, Axcet has you covered. With your mind off of HR tasks, you can focus on what you're great at as a small business owner: running (and growing) your core business. Interested in learning more about how Axcet can help? Schedule a conversation with our experts to learn more.", "author" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/laura-dowling-sphr#author", "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Laura Dowling, SPHR", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/laura-dowling-sphr" }, "dateCreated" : "2023-08-16", "dateModified" : "2024-06-19", "datePublished" : "2023-08-16", "description" : "Owning a small business or start-up can be the most exciting and rewarding thing you ever do—but as any entrepreneur will tell you, it won’t always go smoothly. Carving your own path means encountering a world of questions, dilemmas and obstacles to either solve or overcome. On top of this, going at it alone can be incredibly isolating. ...", "editor" : "Laura Dowling, SPHR", "genre" : "Human Resources and Employee Management", "headline" : "Unlocking Success: The Power of a Small Business Mentor", "image" : "https://2652187.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2652187/small-business-mentor-_1200-%C3%97-628-px_%20%281%29.webp", "keywords" : "Human Resources, Training & Development, how to find a mentor in business, small business mentor", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/why-every-small-business-owner-should-have-a-mentor", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.axcethr.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/axcethr_logo_white.png?width=225&name=axcethr_logo_white.png" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions" }, "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/why-every-small-business-owner-should-have-a-mentor", "wordCount" : "3869" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.axcethr.com/", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://insights.axcethr.com/", "name" : "Insights", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://insights.axcethr.com/tag/human-resources", "name" : "Human Resources", "position" : 3 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/why-every-small-business-owner-should-have-a-mentor", "name" : "Unlocking Success: The Power of a Small Business Mentor", "position" : 4 } ] } ```