The saying that “no man is an island” is very applicable when it comes to the journey of an entrepreneur. Anyone who decides to venture into the unknown to start something of their own, like a business or company, is an entrepreneur. In all sincerity, this is not an easy feat, particularly at its inception. However, with a network of mentors on your ship, your sail will overcome the storms that come with the journey. The challenges of finding capital to set up your business, getting a stable source of materials for production, sustaining the production process itself, and even finding the right market are such hectic tasks that could be discouraging for the faint-hearted. Many people who commenced the journey to entrepreneurship have given up because of the challenges they encountered and were unprepared for. This is yet another reason the role of a mentor is highly recommended.
The hole of a mentor
A mentor is a trusted and experienced adviser in a particular field, although in most cases, their role is not limited to that field alone. It is the role of a mentor to assist, guide, coach and encourage their mentee in the line of their business, ensuring that they succeed. We can say that a mentor holds your hand as you navigate the process of starting up your business, helping you face the challenges that come with such tasks and overcome them so that your business stands firm. As an entrepreneur, you should know that you do not have to limit yourself to having a mentor only in your line of business or from your culture, or race; this is where diversified mentorship comes into place. Diversified mentorship is a strategic way of practising inclusiveness in selecting a mentor or mentee. It simply means a mentorship relationship that cuts across gender, race, culture, and other social factors that can restrict a person in business. Diversified mentorship fosters a mentor and mentee relationship that is not limiting in the sense that it acknowledges the diversity of people and establishes a connection between them in terms of business. 
Here are a few things you should know:
- It fosters inclusiveness in business, strengthening bonds while accommodating people of different cultures, gender, and race. There is no room for segregation when it comes to diversified mentorship.
- It fosters the collaboration of ideas from diverse individuals. It helps businesses transcend beyond cultural, race, and gender limits.
- With diversified mentorship, value is shared across culture, gender and race. The sharing and exchange of ideas and values help the bonding among businesses.
- Mentorship in business increases the chances of making the right connection and succeeding in business.
- It gives proper insight into the business world, boosts a person’s confidence, and also gives room for business growth.
- A diversified mentorship relationship creates room for network mentors who, in the long run, aid the expansion of the business.
There is no way to talk about succeeding in business without emphasizing networking.
Networking on its own involves exchanging ideas and information among people in a common profession, field, or business, as the case may be. Networking expands your connection and contact base, boosting your chances of success in your field or any industry you find yourself in. When an entrepreneur engages in networking with the right people through mentorship, it is of great advantage because it gives such a person the opportunity to get support and guidance from experienced persons. As earlier stated, no one can thrive in business without connections and the help of those in a similar business and those who are not. This is the place of mentorship networking for business owners. Having a network of mentors is like having access to a community of people with like minds and business experiences that can help boost your visibility, foster growth, and give you the necessary support to thrive in business. The advantages of a network of mentors are too numerous to mention for a person who takes their business seriously.
It is important to build a network of mentors because:
- Your mentors connect you to significant people in your line of business who provide helpful ideas on how to run your business. This could be advice or suggestions to engage in specific training that would help upgrade your skill. They could also proffer solutions to specific challenges in your business.
- Starting a business and the attendant challenges can be overwhelming and discouraging. However, having a network of mentors who would be a source of encouragement is one of the best ways to overcome such phases of your business.
- It is the network of mentors that a person has over time that holds their hand and guides them through business hurdles.
- Having a network of mentors can aid in the growth and visibility of your business.
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Mentorship and networking are one of the must-haves for anyone who intends to thrive, whether in business or career, because truthfully, no man is an island, and we always need each other to succeed. Many successful businessmen and woman share their stories and attribute their success to the help or advice they received from a mentor or a network of mentors. This shows how crucial it is to have someone in your corner supporting and guiding you all the way. It is also worthy of note to state that as an entrepreneur who seeks to be a mentee, you must ensure that you play your role to sustain the relationship with your mentor. You must not always be at the receiving end; do your best to give back and balance the relationship by also contributing in your little way to your mentor’s life. Above all, you must make yourself teachable and be ready to learn. BIPOC Foundation runs a mentorship program that matches you with curated subject matter experts. Get access to a mentor here. Follow @bipocfoundation on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.