Looking for a Mentor - Blue

My first mentor... Let's just call him Ivan for now... was a very interesting figure. He started in his industry at the bottom working his way up. He had to do all of the 'dirty work' for years before he received any recognition.

He taught me that I should never be afraid to do whatever it takes to succeed. No matter how the odds are stacked up against me, I should always know that I am going to come out ahead. These words have stuck with me ever since then. Without his help, I doubt I would ever be where I am now- the head of a business, a family man, and active within my community.

The Platform

Mentors are very important. They teach you life lessons that would take years to learn by yourself. Think of their advice as a platform that helps you get a jump start. Rather than having to climb and climb, to reach it, their advice lets you start from much further the chain of success.

When it comes to entrepreneurship and starting your own business, I recommend seeking a mentor. Tell them your ideas, and let them be your first critics. The harsher and more honest they are, the better it will be for you in the long run. Stick with them for as long as you can, because their help will be the catalyst for your success. Never forget the advice of those wiser and older than you, because history inevitably repeats itself.

"Study the success and failure of those around you, and you will learn the roots of success itself!"

Choosing a Mentor

The first place you should look for a mentor is within your immediate family. It should be someone that you trust implicitly. Never forget- someone that knows everything about you and your business has the potential to do the most damage! Most families have that one person that has been everywhere and done everything. Talk to them and see what they have learned along the way. Bounce ideas off of them, and see how they reply. If their opinions and beliefs are in line with your own, then don't worry about asking them to become your mentor and guide.

When it comes time to ask, never underestimate the power of persuasion. If they are hesitant at first, offer them something to make up their mind ;-) Just kidding. This thing that I agree with RedRicky on- It's usually best to get volunteers, not employees. People that are in it for the money won't always provide the best guidance. 

Board of Advisors

A mentor is one thing, but having a group of "know-it-alls" telling you what to do. By having a mentor, you only have one opinion different from your own. This lets you weigh your own opinion against you mentor's without having to contend with that of twelve others.

Looking for a Mentor - Red

The role of the mentor is an important one, but the importance of the figure is often misunderstood. Many entrepreneurs (especially young ones) seek mentors, but some go too far. While seeking a mentor may help in the the beginning stages of a venture, I don't believe that having a mentor is a requirement for success.

When looking at the biggest names of our day (as far as entrepreneurs go), we see a general trend. Most successful entrepreneurs became successful by taking their own advice, not that of someone else. Receiving mentorship and advice may be important to create a firm foundation for an entrepreneur, but creativity and decision-making power should never be delegated to another individual.

Now, don't get me wrong- I have nothing against those that are inexperienced seeking the guidance of another. In fact, I recommend seeking a mentor for the beginning stages of a venture. My only quarrel with the concept of mentorship is the predisposition for attachment and addiction. Many entrepreneurs that depend on mentors show success in the start of their ventures, but end up falling back into the fray when they break away from the proverbial teat. If a sense of independence is not fostered within the first 2-3 years of an entrepreneur's start, then they become constantly dependent on the advice and guidance of others. Ever wonder what the difference was between an Entrepreneur and a Board-led corporate executive?

When looking for a mentor, I recommend seeking one from an industry different from your own. While this may not follow along with normal logic, it has its advantages. Look for individuals that are not the typical corporate success story. What worked for them 'back in the day' will probably not work for you. If you are wanting to sell electronics, for example, find someone with a background in clothing sales. Take the lessons that they have learned in the clothing industry (which is much different from the electronics world), and translate them [yourself] into knowledge that you can use to aid your own business. If you are going into consulting, find an experienced senior engineer. By combining the structural order and responsibility associated with engineering, you will be able to present a variety of well-thought out alternatives for your clients.

Board of Advisors

As much as it contradicts the advice I just gave, it often behooves individual business owners to establish a Board of Advisors. This Board should be composed of individuals that have experience in a variety of fields, including but not limited to the one that you yourself will be involved in. Advisors should never be potential competitors, or individuals that have a chance to discredit or steal from you. Family members and friends that own their own businesses can often be approached, but arrangements involving family usually end up being rather complicated.

Advisors should always be volunteers. If you have to pay for advice, then they become consultants. If you are paying someone a salary to provide advice, then they become your boss. Don't be afraid to offer compensation in the long run, but try to find individuals that will not have opinions skewed by money. Someone that is successful and wants to help others will not take away you hard-earned money. That leads to another topic that is close to my heart that I will discuss at a later date (Self Help Gurus Anonymous).

About Us

In today's society, the idea of the mafia and organized crime has become molded by movies and television. With such wonderful examples as The Sopranos and Scarface, the public has developed a perception of the mob that is rather far departed from the truth.

No matter what one may think about the mob, there is one thing that can be said about the lot of them: They know how to make money!

More often than not, businesses are in desperate need of money. Well, rather than read yet another self-help book, why not take some off-color advice from our favorite leather-wearing gun-toting entrepreneurs, RedRicky and DefMike. Criminals they are not, but quick-witted and strong-willed they are. Only one problem with reading their material- their opinions on most matters are usually on opposite ends of the spectrum!

Take from it what you will, but don't forget their motto- MobBusiness is GoodBusiness!