Mentors for entrepreneurs are vital to success and business growth. Whether you are on an early stage or need a strategy to move forward, business mentors and mentorship programs are available to receive guidance and support. Many initiatives across the country provide access to resources. Assist Women Network in the Tees Valley provides support and business growth for female entrepreneurs with their programmes.
Business mentors can help you develop your growth ideas by sharing their skills, expertise, experience and contacts.
The study conducted by BIS, department for business, innovation & skills, estimates a current business mentoring population of 19,000 mentors across up to 400 organisations.
Around 11,000 mentors are accessible currently via organisations registered on mentorsme website.
Mentorsme is the first online portal to find free and paid knowledged and experienced mentors, operated by the British Bankers Association.
The Government is committed to developing and expanding a business mentoring network for SMEs in the UK. And in 2018, the Chancellor provided an additional £5.6 million to expand and increase mentoring support of small business by larger businesses and leaders to expand productivity.
According to The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship, evidence shows that being part of local business networks can help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and share best practices.
The review found that women are less likely to be business network member or to know an entrepreneur. The Government, therefore, supports the expansion of networks focused on connecting female entrepreneurs and recognises the value created by those organisations; Such as the Everywomannetwork with over 20,000 members and the Female Founders Forum.
In Tees Valley, Assist Women Network is the primary organisation for women entrepreneurs, focused on allowing women to grow professionally, offering connections and various support.
Ann Stonehouse, Founder and chair of Assist Women Network, said: “Mentoring and coaching are really part of being an entrepreneur; women in Tees Valley, don’t associate themselves as an entrepreneur unless you tell them.
“What Assist do, is to help and encourage your mindset, connecting you with the word entrepreneur.
“It is Find your tribe, and it’s like-minded women that you can relate to, collaborate and connect, and I find that when women collaborate are brilliant.”
“Is also important to mentor young people – we mentoring young ladies age of 14 upwards.
“We all know the strength of mentoring; mentoring and role models are the key to empower the next generation.”
Ann has been mentoring for over 15 plus years while working as an accountant with SMEs in the North East.
She wrote practical training workshops for start-ups and social entrepreneurs within Teesside University, including mentoring graduates in their first entrepreneurial steps.
What is a mentor, and what a benefits a business get from mentoring?
A mentor is an experienced professional who can offer guidance to a business owner providing 1to1 support or in group support, developing your skills and confidence.
According to British Business Bank, mentorship collaboration offers you:
- An independent perspective for making decisions.
- A trusted shoulder when you’re feeling anxious or uncertain.
- A channel for discussing ideas, challenges and new opportunities.
- Guidance on areas you have less experience in, for example, management, marketing, finance.
- Access to new networks and helpful resources.
However, there are also the aspects that mentor cannot help you with:
- Market your business for you.
- Provide you with specific legal advice. A mentor may offer general assistance, but you should always seek professional guidance in legal matters.
- Develop your strategy or plans for you – they will support you in considering your options. However, you are ultimately responsible for any decisions you make about your business.
- Have any stake in your business – financial or otherwise.
What are the programmes in the Tees Valley for women entrepreneurs?
Assist Women, run quite a lot of free mentoring sessions available to all and online.
Ann Stonehouse said: “In May, we will run my assist sales and marketing workshop, which is 90 minutes session with an expert of the field- these sessions are only available for women and cost £5.
“There, we have a free network that comes along, and then you have a spotlight one minute to say who you are and what you are looking for. The group targeted is business woman and professionals.
“We also run global enterprise week twice a year, and our annual event for International Women Day.”
Other upcoming events are available on the Assist women website and Assist Her web section. Assist Her is a pilot course, free and fully funded by Middlesbrough Council, with some amazing speakers. Also, look for their private group on Facebook accessible further request for a friendly approach to all knowledgeable ladies mentors.
Alessia Miceli 