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Hello all,
I am an aspiring entreprenuer in the Chicagoland area. I have several ideas but I need to find a mentor who I can provide some guidance. Without appearing desperate or the like, what is the most effective way of finding someone who will fit that role. If anyone out there has been there done that and found a mentor that has helped them move from level 0 to level 1 and beyond, your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Go to www.score.org.
This is a quasi-governmental agency affiliated with the SBA. They will give you FREE advise!! They have offices all over the US and you can also communicate with them online. Their mentors are volunteers, many of them retired, successful business people. They can match you up with someone that has expertise in your field.
Also go to http://sbdcnet.utsa.edu - this is the website for the Small Business Development Centers. They are also affiliated with the SBA, will give FREE advise and have offices throughout the country usually on or near college campuses.
Both of these are great resources and you can`t beat free!!!
Hello,
As someone who recently accomplished this (without mentioning names we are talking multi millionaire, media personality, author, etc) by doing the following things: being persistent....you will not likely suceed on the first time...being bold and honest....people want to help, and almost everyone started where you are at and had some mentors along the way...offer them something in return.....try to form a business alliance where they can teach you along the way...make your an asset to this person...not a liability...good luck and feel free to e-mail me if you need and more ideas
I`ll tell you what...
Your local chamber of commerce will have a listing or directory of their members. These businesses join the chamber because they want to help other businesses (and network). You may want to consider joining the chamber and take advantage of all they have to offer. Most chambers of commerce regularly host networking events (such as ribbon cuttings and luncheons) which are great opportunities to meet and mingle with other business owners and professionals. You can make some great contacts and probably find someone willing to assist you, partner with you, or at the least share some of their experiences and expertise with you. Offer to take one of these prospective contacts to lunch or breakfast and pick their brain. If you don`t necessarily land a mentor, so to speak, you may at least be able to get some asnwers to some of your questions, or the type of business advice you would get with a mentor.
Good luck and best wishes for your success!
Do you have a local community college in your area? I have a community college in my town and they have a program that is associated with SCORE. They will help with questions, writing a business plan etc. And it`s FREE!. Maybe you have some similar program at a local school or college near you.
The Best Networking site I found is myspace. People list on their profile their experience and you can find someone in the business you want to enter and add them to your friends list. once they are your friend and you develop an online relationship you can ask them to be a mentor.
I was able to get a music mentor via www.myspace.com
I joined fashion groups in myspace and was able to get fashion mentors etc.
Go to www.score.org...
Dear OfficeSpaceJeff.
That information is really helpfull for me!
I went to their web sites and I found invaluable information, in fact, they give you FREE consulting advise and you can go to unexpensive seminars.
Great stuff for `raise from the ground-zero` small companies like mine.
Thanks again.
Good Morning jhstallworth:
http://www.ienconnect.com/needs/index.asp
This link will take you to the state of Illinois` Entrpreneurship network. There are matching grants available through this network, as I have written 4 successfully. You can get funds for feasibility studies, marketing and sales plans, tools, etc.
Additionally, I am available for private analysis at no charge. Coincidentally, my daughter lives in Chicago and I will be through there in the next 2 weeks. I have successfully facilitated the lauch of 3 products and service companies through this grant program. I live in Illinois near StL.
Let me know if you`d like to meet.
Ron
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