Saturday, September 4, 2010

Women As Business Mentors



Something that I have learned is that not all of us though treat women as seriously as we do men when it comes to getting help starting a business or taking advice from a women, and that just boggles my mind. I have become friends with many successful women business owners online over the past few months and when it comes to taking advice from them I listen and take it to heart. You see men and women both have different perspectives on businesses and and if you are ignoring what a women has to say then it is truly your loss. Read on:

What is a Women Business Mentor?
A mentor is someone that you can look up to and learn from, especially in the business field. It is someone who has been down that road before and can offer you lots of tips and advice. Successful business women know all about the pitfalls and hardships of opening a business and she can tell you how to avoid them and how to make the most of your business. She might be able to advise you on how to get started in writing a business plan, who to contact for financial loans or tax help or even how to find a suitable location for your new business.

In addition, a business mentor can give you emotional support. This is very important when it comes to opening your business. It takes a lot of work and the emotional toll can be taxing. Sometimes you need to talk to someone who has been in your shoes and understands your feelings. Opening a business is a tricky thing and you will most certainly experience ups and downs. A business mentor can be your cheerleader during those times and can be there to celebrate your successes.

Finding a Mentor:
There are many great sources for finding a mentor for you. You may already know a successful woman willing to give you help and advice. If you don't already know someone in your area that you can count on, you can join a local business group that will have many people that have started their own business. A rotary club or local chamber of commerce are all good sources. Go to the meetings and take the time to get to know the other business owners. Ask them for advice and once you get to know them, stay in contact with them. This is called networking and can really help you and your business become a success both now and in the future.

While it is very hard to start a new business, a good mentor is often the key to finding the help you need. You will need help getting your business off the ground and you will come in contact with many different types of people during this process. There are many things you will need during your endeavor, but many times, a good ear and some encouragement from someone who knows will be your best help.