Find a Mentor

Find a Mentor
Before you go into business, it would be great to align yourself with someone with experience in
your industry and experience in business management. Working with a mentor can prepare you
for the travels that lie ahead in your business journey by sharing knowledge and expertise. The
relationship with your mentor will help prepare you for success and protect you from failure.
If you are one of the fortunate few, you will have a close friend or business associate who has the
necessary skills and would be willing to advise you. If not, business mentors can be generally be
found through your local chamber of commerce and various business organizations.
Provided below are some resources:
• Service Corps Of Retired Executives (SCORE) – A national organization
sponsored by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of volunteer business
executives who provide free counseling, workshops and seminars to prospective
and existing small business people. Local SCORE chapters consist of retired
professionals who are available to give free business advice. (www.score.org)
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) – Sponsored by the SBA
in partnership with state and local governments, the educational community and
the private sector. They provide assistance, counseling and training to prospective
and existing business people.
• Small Business Institutes (SBIs) – Organized through the SBA on more than
500 college campuses around the nation. The institutes provide counseling by
students and faculty to small business clients.
• Chambers of Commerce – Local branches of your chamber of commerce can
be a great resource for mentors. An example is the Greater Dallas Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce. (www.gdhcc.com)
• MicroMentors – MicroMentors help entrepreneurs grow their businesses
through mentoring relationships with experienced business professionals.
(www.micromentor.org)