Don’t Go It Alone: Why Mentors Matter

Starting a business is an exciting — and often overwhelming — process. When I reflect on starting CF Creative nine years ago, I remember all too well the many moments of: “Wait, I’m supposed to know how to do that?” Put simply, there was a lot of learning on the go. 

From creating a business plan and choosing a legal structure to securing financing and setting up back-end operations, there is no shortage of new skills that an entrepreneur needs to cultivate in real time in order to set the foundation for a thriving enterprise. 

While family, friends, former colleagues, and other people in our networks (and, let’s be honest, Google) can provide a wealth of guidance, information, and support during the critical startup period, many small business owners aren’t aware of an invaluable resource that’s right at their fingertips: mentors. 

Many organizations that support small businesses have mentor programs that pair small business owners with experienced entrepreneurs or experts in specific fields (starting a business, financing, procurement opportunities, marketing and branding, etc.). Best of all, these programs are typically free or low-cost. 

Here are some of my favorite small business mentor programs: 

1. The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) - Small Business Administration (SBA) Community Navigator Pilot Program 

The USHCC-SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program provides small and minority-owned businesses with free technical assistance to make their businesses thrive in the post-pandemic economy. Their counselors are experts in starting up, finances, funding, branding, digital marketing, and growing a team. Entrepreneurs can also find self-paced training and grant info from Hello Alice; scaling and supply chain/procurement education through the Latino Business Action Network; regional support through the Illinois, Colorado, and El Paso Hispanic Chambers of Commerce; and nationwide support from bilingual business advisors.

2. SCORE 

SCORE is the United States’ largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. The program connects small business owners with mentors who are experts in all things business and can answer questions and provide guidance on best practices and small business topics. This is a free service, and you can meet with your mentor as often as you want or need. SCORE also has robust business education resources that are free or low-cost, including workshops, webinars, online courses, and business plan templates.

3. SBA’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs)

SBDC programs deliver professional, high-quality, individualized business advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs. Areas of expertise include accessing capital; developing and exchanging new technologies; and improving business planning, strategy, operations, financial management, personnel administration, marketing, export assistance, sales, and other areas. WBCs are designed to assist women specifically in starting and growing small businesses since they still face significant obstacles.

4. Local Chambers of Commerce 

In addition to the three programs above, I recommend reaching out to your local chamber of commerce to find out if they offer a mentor program. Getting paired up with a mentor in your community means you’re learning from someone who understands the unique challenges and opportunities of your area. This type of mentor-mentee relationship can be particularly fulfilling. 

If I could encourage every small business owner to do one thing, it would be to get a mentor. Mentors have the experience and expertise to guide your business toward improved operations, sustainable growth, and increased revenue — something every entrepreneur aims for when making their small business dream a reality. 

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Conchie Fernández is Founding Partner at CF Creative (www.cf-creative.com), an award-winning marketing and consulting agency that provides business growth, strategic content, and technical assistance consulting for small and minority-owned businesses, as well as the public and private sector organizations and companies that support them.