The benefits of having a powerful business mentor as an entrepreneur are well documented – whether it’s providing access to markets, helping to connect you with their powerful networks or providing crucial strategic input at a critical point of a business’ development.
Sharing their TOP go-to sources for entrepreneurs to find powerful business mentors are business consultants:
– Anton Ressel, senior consultant and mentor at Fetola Business Growth Professionals, a business incubator
– Ncebakazi Nompula, founder of Global Excellence Enabler Solutions, a consultancy company that offers services such as employee coaching
Ressel advises entrepreneurs to start with their immediate circle. “The most obvious (and usually cheapest) place to start is your own personal network. Are there any people you admire, perhaps a family friend or previous boss or manager, who you could ask for some mentorship support?”
There are a number of channels you can look at when trying to find a business mentor, says Ressel.
Nompula’s advice is for entrepreneurs to mine their professional networks.
“Think about approaching the founders and key executives of companies in your space, who you admire.”
Nompula and Ressel give their lists of where to find mentors.
Ressel ‘s Top Channels:
1. Industry and networking events
Examples: Heavy Chef; The Hook Up Dinner (THUD) SA; Township Entrepreneurship Alliance; #Back2Kasi Seminars; eKasi Entrepreneurs; Xtraordinary Women; MTN’s Digital Masterclass; Yoco Meets; She Leads Africa; The Startup Grind
2. Associations
Examples: Chambers of Commerce; NSBC; Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA); SABEF; Simodisa, Demo Africa; Franchise Association of South Africa; Lionesses of Africa
3. Small business and entrepreneurial development centres
Examples: The Silicon Cape Initiative; 22 on Sloane; Silulo Business Incubation Centre; AlphaCode; Blockstarters; Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct; Riversands Incubation Hub
4. Social media networks
Examples: Social media groups including: BrownSense; Shingler Connect; Girl Code ZA; Twitter chats like #WeTalkBiz, #PRChatAfrica, and #SistaHoodHour
Nompula’s Top Channels
1. Seminars and conferences
Examples: Fundex; Leaderex; Enterprise and Supplier Development Expo; NSBC’s The Business Show; AWIEF
2. Non-profit organisations
Examples: Township Entrepreneurship Association (TEA); Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi); The Hope Factory; JoziHub; Shanduka Black Umbrellas; The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme
3. Colleges or universities
Examples: Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS); Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development; Regenesys Business School; WITS Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Youth.
