Quick Questions to Vet Your Future Business Mentor / Teacher

First, I believe everyone needs a mentor. I've had many and everyone has saved me time and money. We're all busy so let's get to it.

Have they owned their own small business before? Seems like a dumb question, but you’d be surprised how many people have taken business in college or were in management. If I’ve been on the battlefield in a foreign country, but you’ve been in the military for years without ever seeing combat, our experiences would be different don't you think? Both have valid experience, but one relates to me more than another.

Are they still in the business? If not, why? How many years did they run their company? How long ago did they close it down. There are logical reasons to close down a business and focus on teaching, but do you want to learn from someone that hasn’t been in the biz for a long time or couldn’t keep their doors open? Yes, there are acceptable reasons. They may have moved and didn’t want to build clients again. They may have phased out their clients to teach before they were physically unable. (However, why not keep employees going? If running it became too time consuming, maybe they aren’t the best at delegating, a lesson you’ll really want.)

Did they start their company from scratch, inherit or buy it? Was the company in your field or close to it? Starting a company is cliff-diving. I’m not an adrenalin junky or anything, so you wont’ find me jumping off anything, but you understand. If it was already running, how can they teach you how to avoid the start-up traps and money suckers? Management is absolutely a skill and they may know a ton about that and be very helpful in that way.

The bottom line is this. Yes, you can learn something from everyone. I’ve learned something from a woman in the grocery line before. Be open to all. Take classes whenever you can. “Never stop educating yourself,” as my dad always says. But, when it comes to mentors, choose the mentor that is on your same journey, just much further along the trail.

Random test for anyone worth talking to… Have they ever made a mistake?

If the answer is no, they’re lying.