Helpful summary
Why you can trust us: Our mentors have a proven track record of success and have helped others succeed in similar ventures, as showcased by our case studies. This experience is crucial for startups and small business owners to avoid common mistakes and make informed decisions.
Why this is important: Small business mentorship is essential for accelerated learning, network expansion, enhanced decision-making, strategic focus, and skill development. These factors are vital for overcoming the challenges of running a small business.
Action Points: To leverage these benefits, small business owners should consider engaging with platforms like MentorCruise for tailored mentorship, ensuring alignment with their specific needs and goals.
Further Research: For those ready to enhance their small business journey, exploring mentorship platforms like MentorCruise can provide the necessary guidance and support to not just survive, but thrive in the business world.
Need help finding small business mentorship platforms?
Even if you have big dreams for your small business, it can be tough when you find out that 20% of small businesses don't make it past the first year. This tells us that starting and keeping a small business going is difficult. It's not enough to just have a great idea–you also need to make smart choices, get along well with your customers, and be ready to change when you need to.
MentorCruise steps into this tough situation by aiming to reduce the high failure rate by offering one-on-one mentorship. With our help, people who are new to business can work together with experts, share ideas and knowledge, and get the tools they need to deal with the tough parts of beginning a small business.
In this article, we'll look at the important parts of mentorship for small businesses, talk about why it's so crucial, and share tips on choosing the right platform to help you reach your small business goals.
Let’s get started!
Why listen to us?
At MentorCruise, we specialize in elevating professionals through expert mentorship. For example, Joris Zierold transitioned from media to blockchain technology with our mentorship, navigating a complex career change. Furthermore, we supported Hon Tjuin in building a better product for his startup business and improving his team’s structure through intensive training and coaching sessions. Mauro's move into data science was facilitated by our tailored guidance, reflecting our ability to assist in pivotal career shifts.
These cases demonstrate our expertise in empowering individuals and small business owners with practical, real-world skills and advice.
What is small business mentorship?
In small business mentorship, a person who is an expert in business helps and supports someone who is newer to it. The experienced person shares what they know and gives guidance to the less experienced business owner. It is a collaborative process where experienced mentors share their insights and experiences to help the business grow and deal with the challenges of owning a business.
MentorCruise offers expert guidance and tailored mentorship sessions to help less experienced startup and entry-level business owners overcome any problems they face in growing their businesses. Our mentors are keen on sharing lessons learned from both successes and mistakes, providing useful feedback, and helping mentees turn their vision into a strategic business plan.
Why small business mentorships are important?
Skill development
In addition to giving good advice about business plans, mentors can also help you learn important skills for running a successful business. They can teach you things like understanding money and how to promote your business well. Mentors give you focused training and tools to build the abilities you need to run your business successfully.
Network expansion
Having a mentor means having access to lots of important contacts in the professional world. These connections can open doors to working together with others, finding new customers, and even getting investors interested. A mentor can introduce you to important people in your industry, open up new opportunities, and help you build a good reputation.
Enhanced decision-making
Learning from experience is the best way to make smart business choices. A mentor, who has lots of experience in the field, can assist someone new by guiding them through tricky decisions. By sharing thoughts on what might happen and pointing out possible problems with different choices, mentors help newcomers avoid common mistakes.
Criteria to consider when selecting a small business mentorship platform
Expertise
The worth of a mentorship platform depends a lot on how much the mentors know and have experienced. It's important to pick a platform with mentors who have not only done well themselves but have also helped others succeed in similar businesses. Look for mentors who are really good at what you do and have the skills you want to learn.
The impact of expert guidance and mentorship is evident in Jimmy Jasper's journey. As the CEO of Vincitori, he faced challenges in managing his rapidly growing startup until he found support from our mentors. Initially, seeking advice was costly, but MentorCruise's flat pricing and affordable subscription options made it accessible.
Jimmy, for a fraction of the cost, received assistance from multiple experienced business mentors. This not only provided him with invaluable industry insights but also allowed him to upskill his team by connecting them with our mentors, creating a more capable staff to further scale his business.
Compatibility
A good mentorship relationship is built on more than just expertise–it's about having a real connection between the mentor and the mentee. Look for a platform that considers your personality, business goals, and what you specifically need. This way, you can be matched with a mentor who is not only smart but also someone you can get along with.
Flexibility
Every small business owner has a unique schedule and requirements, so a one-size-fits-all solution won't do for mentorship. Look for a platform that gives you choices that fit your needs, like how often you meet, the way you communicate, or how long the mentorship lasts.
Top 5 platforms for small business mentorship
- MentorCruise
- GrowthMentor
- Clarity.fm
- Mentorcam
- Mentorpass
1. MentorCruise
MentorCruise is a platform specifically designed to offer personalized mentorship to help small business owners improve their business management skills. We help connect and link mentees with industry-leading business experts.
Our approach is results-driven, providing mentees with hand-picked online business mentors who have real industry experience and a focus on practical, professional skill development.
Key Features
- 1-on-1 Mentorship: Personalized mentorship where mentors provide different services to help you enhance your career. This includes personal chats and hands-on support.
- Business Mentors: Offers personalized mentorship for marketing experts, CEOs & founders, product managers, entrepreneurship, startup mentors, growth mentors, Agile mentors, and SaaS coaches.
- Mentorship for Teams: Aimed at providing mentorship for corporate teams to enhance their skills and capabilities.
- Executive & CEO Coaching: Tailored for high-level executives and CEOs, focusing on leadership and business management.
- Unlimited Messaging and Video Calls: Offers both unlimited text communication and video calls for better engagement and coaching sessions.
Pricing
MentorCruise offers budget-friendly pricing to suit your needs. Start with a free 7-day trial to explore all features. Afterward, choose from monthly plans ranging from $50 to $350 or opt for one-time sessions priced from $39 to $140.
Whether you need ongoing assistance or just a single session, MentorCruise has a pricing plan that fits your goals and budget.
2. GrowthMentor
GrowthMentor is designed to help startups grow faster through 1:1 mentorship. It stands out by offering unlimited video calls with a large network of over 600 mentors for a flat-rate subscription, making it highly accessible for small businesses.
Key Features
- 1:1 Video Calls Mentorship: Unlimited 1:1 video calls with mentors for a flat-rate subscription.
- Help Request System: A system where users can post help requests detailing their problems, challenges, and desired outcomes.
- Team Mentorship Support: Offers comprehensive support for entire teams and includes features for onboarding teams, setting targets, tracking progress, and mentorship analytics.
Pricing
GrowthMentor provides three membership options for small business mentoring: Light, Pro, and Team.
For $50/month, the Light plan includes 3 free calls and access to a video library with 100+ hours. The Pro plan, priced at $75/month, offers unlimited calls, hands-on matching, and advanced networking. If you have a team of 3 or more users, the Team plan is the best choice since it comes with detailed reporting and analytics.
3. Clarity.fm
Clarity.fm is a platform that connects small business owners with expert advice on various aspects of business. It features a diverse array of mentors, each specializing in different areas of business and entrepreneurship. Mentors on Clarity.fm include digital marketing experts, business lawyers, social media strategists, real estate consultants, and more.
Key Features
- Mentor Marketplace: Clarity's core feature is its curated marketplace of experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals who offer their expertise for paid calls.
- Flexible Coaching Options: Schedule one-on-one calls with mentors for durations ranging from 15 minutes to an hour.
- Free Articles and Resources: Clarity hosts a library of free articles and Q&A sessions with experts on various small business topics.
Pricing
Clarity.fm uses a per-minute tier pricing plan for mentor calls, ranging from $2 to $30. In addition to the call rate, there is a 15% service fee for every completed call. This fee supports the site's operation and allows the mentees to connect with expert mentors from Clarity’s marketplace.
4. Mentorcam
Mentorcam is a platform that facilitates 1:1 mentorship with founders and leaders of successful startups and brands. It provides personalized advice and mentorship to individuals seeking guidance in various aspects of business and entrepreneurship.
Key Features
- Live 1:1 Mentoring Sessions: Facilitates live, one-on-one mentoring sessions, providing personalized and focused mentorship experiences.
- Access to an Elite Network: Provides access to a network of elite founders and business professionals.
- Messaging with Mentor: Allows for sending messages before and after calls, sharing agendas, and discussing progress, ensuring continuous engagement and guidance.
Pricing
Mentorcam has a variety of mentors to choose from, each with their own cost and schedule. You can have personalized coaching sessions with your favorite mentor, lasting from 30 to 60 minutes, and prices range from $425 to $1,000.
5. Mentorpass
Mentorpass is a platform that connects individuals with top startup mentors, focusing on providing targeted and effective mentorship to overcome business challenges and accelerate learning and growth.
Key Features
- 1:1 Expert Talks: Provides direct and specific advice from industry experts.
- Accountability Coaching: Focuses on keeping mentees accountable towards their business goals.
- Personalized Curriculum: Offers tailored learning experiences to suit individual business needs and goals.
Pricing
Mentorpass offers three monthly plans for tailored mentorship: Lite at $350/month with 30 credits for calls with team-level mentors, Standard at $650/month providing 60 credits for conversations with all-star mentors, and Premium at $1,250/month, delivering 120 credits for multiple sessions with VIP mentors.
Elevate your small business with MentorCruise!
Starting and maintaining a small business can be challenging, and the high failure rate highlights the difficulties entrepreneurs face. Mentorship plays a crucial role in overcoming these challenges by providing practical advice, support, and guidance. Small business mentorship, as discussed, is crucial for accelerated learning, network expansion, enhanced decision-making, strategic focus, and skill development.
If you're ready to take your small business to the next level, visit MentorCruise and explore the possibilities that await you. It's not just about surviving in the small business world; it's about thriving with the right guidance and support. Start your mentorship journey today!