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When I began my business, the word “mentor” seemed abstract to me. I assumed that successful entrepreneurs inspired us with their stories and achieved every little thing with their knowledge, determination and possibly a little little bit of luck. But the real experience turned out to be much more complex. Behind every great success there is someone who helped show the way, asked the right questions and pointed them in the right direction.
Today I’m 100% sure that the role of the guru in the company’s success can’t be overestimated. However, reaching this point of understanding took time. This time was filled with some mistakes, insights and help that I didn’t all the time appreciate when I should have. Now, I’d prefer to share some of the personal and skilled lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Lesson No. 1. You cannot buy this experience
When I began my first business, I used to be convinced that I had every little thing discovered. And this is quite normal – young entrepreneurs often imagine in their uniqueness. We make ambitious plans, not all the time realizing that not only victories lie ahead of us, but also many challenges.
Back then, I assumed that the ability to learn quickly and make decisions on the fly could be enough. However, after a few months, I spotted that not only had I underestimated the complexity of running a business – I had completely ignored the value of experience. My first serious crisis, a financial one, forced me to hunt advice from a more advanced colleague. And it’s funny – I didn’t even consider it mentoring; it just gave the impression of a quick fix to the problem. But this conversation modified every little thing.
My friend didn’t give me ready-made solutions. Instead, he asked questions that made me think deeply: “Why do you think this approach will be effective??”And “How will this decision affect your business in a year??”
These questions formed the basis of my first real attempt at strategic evaluation. That’s when I spotted that true experience is not just knowledge – it’s the ability to see beyond the immediate situation.
Lesson No. 2. A Guide to Chaos
Startups are inherently chaotic. New ideas, limited resources and constant uncertainty create a pressure cooker environment that not everyone can endure. At some point I spotted that the chaos had also affected my team. They began asking questions I didn’t know the answers to, which only added to the tension.
That’s when I contacted an experienced entrepreneur I met at an event. He became my first real mentor – I paid to realize his knowledge. He helped me bring more structure to my team and taught me learn how to deal with stress, delegate effectively, and find the right balance between speed and quality.
One of the most useful results of our work was this: “YYou don’t have to know every little thing, but you do must know who can enable you toThis quote has turn into a guideline in my work. He jogged my memory that mentoring is not all the time about getting answers – it’s about with the ability to ask the right questions and receive objective feedback on your ideas.
Lesson No. 3. More than advice
Mentors are often seen as sources of business advice and strategic guidance. But in my experience, they played one other huge role: they motivated me when I began to doubt myself. This was especially necessary during a difficult period with my second startup when we hit a roadblock trying to boost funds.
After one potential investor turned us down, the project appeared to be falling apart. Then my mentor told me: “Don’t let one rejection define the future of your startup. You will learn more from your failures than your successes“
These words modified my perspective. They forced me to rethink my approach to fundraising and helped me see setbacks as opportunities for growth and reflection. This encouragement was as invaluable as any strategic advice – it gave me the resilience to maintain moving forward.
Lesson No. 4. Don’t be selfish
Over time, I spotted that mentorship wasn’t just something I needed – it was something my team needed to have. Although I acted as a mentor to my employees in some areas, I noticed gaps in expertise that required external guidance.
I made key members of my team find external mentors to seek the advice of with. Initially, this concept was met with some skepticism. However, when I explained my perspective, they agreed to try it. It was like an experiment because none of us knew exactly what to anticipate or how it might work in our company.
The results exceeded our expectations. Over the next six months, my team gained confidence, higher understood their role and began to propose recent solutions. By the time we had one other video meeting, it was clear to everyone that the experiment was a success. Mentoring helped every person involved in the experiment, while also raising the level of the entire organization.
Why it matters
Working with various startups today, I see how a mentor can transform a company’s success. They are individuals who share knowledge, like partners who enable you to avoid pitfalls, spot opportunities it’s possible you’ll have missed, and keep moving forward when things get difficult. They are teachers who pass on their knowledge as they watch you grow, and sincere friends who don’t let emotions cloud their judgment.
In the case of startup mentors, the corporate culture is consistent, decisions are made faster, errors are corrected more effectively, and teams work more cohesively. This is not a coincidence. Mentors offer guidance in creating an environment in which knowledge is passed on, ensuring continuity and development from generation to generation.
My personal and skilled history helped me understand that mentoring is a solid foundation for development. Every startup faces challenges, but having the right guru helps you overcome them faster and with less waste – whether in resources, time or talent.